beginning to suspect

USAGE SUMMARY

"beginning to suspect" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone's thought process or opinion that is in the early stages of forming. For example: "John was beginning to suspect his college roommate was stealing from him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sadly, I'm beginning to suspect I do..

The Guardian - Books

I'm beginning to suspect that they're neither nice nor nasty.

The Guardian

Then markets were beginning to suspect the 2001 recession was ending, as it was.

The New York Times

"The more I hear, I am beginning to suspect your intelligence gathering operation".

Independent

I'm beginning to suspect that he doesn't expect to go back to North Dakota at all.

The New York Times

I'm beginning to suspect that life might be too short for Virginia Woolf and John Updike.

The Guardian - Books

Hiroshima residents were beginning to suspect that their city was next.

The Guardian

I'm beginning to suspect that this has something to do with Julian Fellowes.

The Guardian

I'm beginning to suspect that a lot of newspaper columns get written like this.

The Guardian - Opinion

Should she tell him what she was beginning to suspect about her cousin Dickie?

The New York Times - Magazine

"Passé", I'm beginning to suspect, is as fluid a term in LA as "low key".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "beginning to suspect" to introduce a developing idea or opinion that is not yet fully formed or supported by concrete evidence. It's useful for expressing uncertainty while acknowledging a shift in thinking.

Common error

Avoid using "beginning to suspect" when you have already gathered substantial evidence. Using it in such cases undermines the strength of your argument and implies less confidence than warranted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beginning to suspect" functions as a verb phrase that introduces a developing belief or opinion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a thought process in its early stages. The examples provided in Ludwig show its use in various contexts where individuals or groups are starting to form a suspicion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "beginning to suspect" is a versatile and common verb phrase used to introduce a developing belief or opinion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates a thought process in its early stages. Analysis of the examples shows that it is grammatically correct and primarily appears in news and media contexts. It serves the purpose of expressing uncertainty and tentativeness while conveying a shift in thinking. The related phrases offer alternatives with slightly different connotations, while the writing guidance helps to avoid overstating certainty. Therefore, "beginning to suspect" should be used when you want to express that your opinion isn't already fully confirmed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starting to think

Focuses more on the initial stage of forming a thought or belief, slightly less formal.

starting to believe

Implies a shift towards accepting something as true, slightly stronger than suspecting.

coming to the conclusion

Suggests a more reasoned or logical process of arriving at a belief.

getting the impression

Emphasizes the feeling or intuition leading to a belief, rather than concrete evidence.

beginning to realize

Highlights the moment of understanding or becoming aware of something.

it dawns on me

Indicates a sudden realization or understanding.

I'm starting to see

Focuses on the gradual unfolding of understanding.

I'm getting a sense that

Expresses a feeling or intuition without strong conviction.

it's crossing my mind

Suggests a thought or suspicion is tentatively entering one's consciousness.

I have a feeling that

Implies an intuitive sense or premonition, often without specific evidence.

FAQs

How to use "beginning to suspect" in a sentence?

Use "beginning to suspect" to express a developing feeling or opinion that is not yet a certainty. For example, "I am beginning to suspect that he is not telling the truth."

What can I say instead of "beginning to suspect"?

You can use alternatives like "starting to think", "starting to believe", or "getting the impression" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "beginning to suspect" or "starting to suspect"?

Both "beginning to suspect" and "starting to suspect" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What's the difference between "beginning to suspect" and "already suspecting"?

"Beginning to suspect" indicates the initial phase of forming a suspicion, while "already suspecting" implies that the suspicion has been present for some time.