breed skepticism

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "breed skepticism" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of fostering doubt or mistrust towards a particular idea, belief, or situation. Example: "The constant changes in policy tend to breed skepticism among the employees about the company's future direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In the concert world self-reliance can breed skepticism.

The New York Times - Arts

It was inevitable that the media blitz on the killing of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teenager, would breed skepticism in some circles.

The New York Times

Information on renewal leases is available on the Web site of the Division of Housing and Community Renewal under Fact Sheet 4. Frequent 'Inspections' Breed Skepticism Q I live in a rental apartment, and the landlord frequently needs access to my unit for "insurance inspections".

The New York Times

Information on renewal leases is available on the Web site of the Division of Housing and Community Renewal under Fact Sheet 4. Frequent 'Inspections' Breed Skepticism QI live in a rental apartment, and the landlord frequently needs access to my unit for "insurance inspections".

The New York Times

Mixed signals breed skepticism and, eventually, morale-crushing mistrust.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The prospect of glass towers inevitably (and too often rightly) breeds skepticism.

The New York Times

Decades of poor decisions have bred skepticism, but this deal was inspired.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite repeated apologies over the years, actions including the Yasukuni visits and the growing tendency of Japanese textbooks to play down Japan's invasion and occupation of mainland Asia have bred skepticism about Japan's sincerity.

The New York Times

Isolationist anti-war sentiments before the World Wars bred skepticism about the nature of Paul Revere's contribution (if any) to the efforts to rouse the militia.

Wikipedia

There is some debate about whether patients who actively research health information have more productive interactions with healthcare providers [ 24] or whether their research breeds skepticism and mistrust of the medical system.

BMC Health Services Research

"Harriet Tubman with Pink Pussyhat" feels like an accidental effigy that has bred that skepticism.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "breed skepticism" when you want to emphasize that certain actions or conditions naturally lead to a state of doubt or mistrust. It implies a gradual development of skepticism over time.

Common error

Avoid using "breed skepticism" in contexts where a more direct or literal expression of doubt would be clearer. Overusing metaphorical language can sometimes obscure your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breed skepticism" functions as a verb phrase, where "breed" acts as a transitive verb causing or generating skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "breed skepticism" is a grammatically sound phrase that describes the gradual development of doubt or mistrust. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its proper usage, although its frequency is relatively rare. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, where it's used to analyze situations that erode public trust. When writing, remember that while the phrase is acceptable, you may want to consider alternatives like "foster doubt" or "engender mistrust" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Use "breed skepticism" when you aim to emphasize the slow development of doubt as a consequence of certain actions or conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foster doubt

This alternative focuses on the action of encouraging doubt, similar to breeding skepticism.

engender mistrust

This phrase emphasizes the creation of mistrust, highlighting the negative consequence of breeding skepticism.

generate distrust

This option directly points to the production of distrust, closely mirroring the effect of breeding skepticism.

cultivate cynicism

This alternative highlights the development of a cynical attitude, which can be a result of breeding skepticism.

inspire incredulity

This phrase emphasizes the act of causing disbelief, which is a component of skepticism.

provoke suspicion

This option focuses on triggering a state of suspicion, related to doubting or questioning.

give rise to doubt

This phrase describes the action of causing doubt to emerge, similar to breeding skepticism.

fuel disbelief

This alternative highlights the intensification of disbelief, a possible outcome of breeding skepticism.

plant seeds of doubt

This metaphorical phrase describes the initial stages of doubt, which can eventually breed skepticism.

foment skepticism

This option emphasizes the instigation and encouragement of skepticism, similar to actively breeding it.

FAQs

How can I use "breed skepticism" in a sentence?

You can use "breed skepticism" to indicate that certain conditions or events lead to a general feeling of doubt. For example, "The company's repeated failures to meet deadlines "breed skepticism" among investors".

What are some alternatives to "breed skepticism"?

Alternatives to "breed skepticism" include "foster doubt", "engender mistrust", or "generate distrust" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "breed skepticism" formal or informal?

"Breed skepticism" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it may be more common in news and media or analytical writing rather than casual conversation.

What causes can "breed skepticism"?

Situations that often "breed skepticism" include inconsistent policies, broken promises, lack of transparency, and repeated negative experiences.