call into doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "call into doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing skepticism or questioning the validity of something. Example: "The new evidence presented in court may call into doubt the defendant's alibi."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"'Tis but comparatively recently that seeing visions would call into doubt a person's sanity," Gull says.

The New Yorker

Mr. Santorum listed a litany of things that Mr. Romney had done to call into doubt his conservative credentials, including supporting the bank bailout.

The New York Times

Second, he included the interest transferred to the Treasury from the Bank of England's Quantitative Easing programme (worth £11.5bn), despite the Institute for Fiscal Studies warning him that it would call into doubt his credibility.

The Guardian

Those countries may need special equipment or software to read an EU passport, which undermines the ideal of a global, interoperable standard.Sceptics might suggest that these last-minute countermeasures call into doubt the reason for a radio-chip device in the first place.

The Economist

That is, reflexivity would call into doubt the explicit pursuit of a good external to research.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Together, these bulky books call into doubt the received wisdom about our besieged attention spans.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

All of this calls into doubt Scalia's certainty that he is right.

The New Yorker

The petition was called into doubt almost as soon as it was filed.

The New York Times

Questioning Equiano's origins calls into doubt some fundamental assumptions made in departments of African-American Studies".

The Guardian - Books

I am not calling into doubt what the woman has said.

The Guardian

Russian state media called into doubt the results shortly before they were published.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "call into doubt", ensure that the subject and object are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "The witness's conflicting statements call into doubt their reliability" is more precise than "The statements call into doubt."

Common error

While "call into doubt" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "question the validity of" or "challenge the accuracy of" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call into doubt" functions as a verb phrase. Ludwig AI indicates that it serves to express uncertainty or skepticism regarding a claim, statement, or situation. Its primary grammatical function is to cast doubt or question the validity of something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "call into doubt" is a verb phrase used to express skepticism or question the validity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with some presence in scientific publications. While grammatically sound, it is advisable to vary your language in formal writing by using synonyms such as "question the validity of" or "challenge the accuracy of". Its purpose is to introduce uncertainty and invite critical assessment of a claim or situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

question the validity of

Focuses more directly on the truthfulness or accuracy of something.

bring into question

Similar to "call into question", but slightly less common.

cast doubt on

Emphasizes the act of introducing uncertainty or skepticism.

raise questions about

Highlights the act of posing inquiries that suggest potential problems or issues.

undermine the credibility of

Suggests a weakening of someone or something's trustworthiness.

challenge the accuracy of

Directly contests the correctness or precision of something.

dispute the truth of

Involves a formal disagreement about the veracity of something.

throw suspicion on

Similar to "cast doubt on", but may imply a stronger degree of mistrust.

impugn the integrity of

Suggests a questioning of someone's moral character or honesty.

express skepticism about

Directly conveys a feeling of doubt or disbelief.

FAQs

How can I use "call into doubt" in a sentence?

Use "call into doubt" to express that something is questionable or uncertain. For example, "The lack of evidence "calls into doubt" the claim."

What phrases are similar to "call into doubt"?

Alternatives include phrases like "question the validity of", "cast doubt on", or "raise questions about".

Is "call into question" the same as "call into doubt"?

"Call into question" is very similar to "call into doubt" and is often interchangeable. Both phrases suggest uncertainty or skepticism about something.

What does it mean to "call something into doubt"?

To "call something into doubt" means to cause people to question its truth, validity, or reliability. It suggests that there are reasons to be skeptical.