bouts of self-doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bouts of self-doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe periods or episodes of uncertainty or lack of confidence in oneself. Example: "Despite her many accomplishments, she often experiences bouts of self-doubt that make her question her abilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science & Research

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

EU leaders suffered bouts of self-doubt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(Fathers, amazingly, are not juggling these same rotating bouts of self-doubt and remorse).

The Guardian - Opinion

Like Bergman, he has his demons; he is prey to crippling panic attacks and intense bouts of self-doubt.

The New York Times - Magazine

She goes on to describe, with spare elegance, the many other losses, discouragements, and dark bouts of self-doubt that informed her year.

The New Yorker

Venus Williams, Monica Seles and Chanda Rubin showed that despite injuries and occasional bouts of self-doubt, they still belong in the second week of a Grand Slam event.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet throughout her unhappy teens and early adulthood, Lynch knew that she wanted to be an actor and, despite her best attempts at self-sabotage and bouts of self-doubt, she worked pretty consistently.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But for all the success off the track, it is time for the annual bout of self-doubt.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a bout of self-doubt — or perhaps, more accurately, self-realization — that brought Giubbilei to Great Dixter four years ago.

The New York Times

And the lack of growth in Europe is taking an increasing political toll.Within recent months, the French and Dutch voted "no" on the European constitution, plunging the European Union into a bout of self-doubt.

The Economist

Before the opening, she suffers from a bout of self-doubt, but performs after Santana gives her a pep talk.

Wikipedia

Shortly after the school year began last fall, I found Emma, my normally carefree, self-confident, whimsical child, experiencing her first bouts of true self-doubt.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the frequency of self-doubt, use "bouts of self-doubt" to convey recurring and relatively short episodes. This implies that the feeling is not constant but comes and goes in distinct periods.

Common error

Avoid using "bouts of self-doubt" to describe a constant, pervasive feeling of inadequacy. This phrase suggests temporary episodes, not a chronic condition. For ongoing self-doubt, use phrases like "a constant struggle with self-doubt" or "chronic insecurity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bouts of self-doubt" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes recurring instances of a particular emotional state. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science & Research

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bouts of self-doubt" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe recurring periods of uncertainty or lack of confidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. Common in news and media, it aptly conveys temporary episodes of questioning one's abilities, distinct from a constant state of insecurity. When writing, remember to use "bouts of self-doubt" to depict recurring and shorter episodes and avoid using it for chronic states of self-doubt. For those instances consider "episodes of insecurity" or "moments of uncertainty" instead. As exemplified by Ludwig, "bouts of self-doubt" accurately and vividly captures the experience of oscillating between confidence and doubt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spells of self-doubt

Replaces "bouts" with "spells", maintaining the sense of temporary episodes.

fits of self-doubt

Uses "fits" as a synonym for "bouts", suggesting sudden and intense episodes.

waves of self-doubt

Uses a different metaphor to describe the feeling as something that comes and goes.

periods of insecurity

Focuses on the feeling of being insecure, rather than specific episodes of doubt.

episodes of insecurity

Similar to "bouts", but highlights the insecurity aspect.

moments of uncertainty

Emphasizes the uncertain nature of the feeling, rather than recurring episodes.

phases of uncertainty

Highlights that self-doubt can occur as a period with a start and end.

times of wavering confidence

Focuses on the fluctuation of confidence levels.

inclinations towards self-doubt

Indicates a tendency or predisposition to experience self-doubt.

struggles with self-assurance

Emphasizes the effort required to overcome feelings of self-doubt.

FAQs

How can I use "bouts of self-doubt" in a sentence?

You can use "bouts of self-doubt" to describe someone experiencing recurring periods of uncertainty about their abilities or worth. For example, "Despite her success, she still experiences "bouts of self-doubt" before big presentations".

What's a less formal way to say "bouts of self-doubt"?

In more informal contexts, you could say "moments of insecurity" or "times when I question myself" to convey a similar meaning.

Are "bouts of self-doubt" and "episodes of self-doubt" interchangeable?

Yes, "episodes of self-doubt" and "bouts of self-doubt" are largely interchangeable. Both suggest temporary and recurring instances of questioning oneself, although "bouts" might imply a slightly more intense or sudden onset.

What are some common triggers for "bouts of self-doubt"?

Common triggers include facing new challenges, receiving criticism (real or perceived), comparing oneself to others, and experiencing failures or setbacks.