cast doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

"cast doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express uncertainty, doubt, or skepticism about the veracity of something. Example: The fact that he was nowhere to be found that night cast doubt on his alibi.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But others cast doubt.

The New York Times

One recent study cast doubt.

The New York Times - Health

Meselson cast doubt on it.

The New Yorker

We cast doubt on this assumption.

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part C: Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Our findings cast doubt on this argument.

Columbia University

Others cast doubt on that assertion.

The Washington Post

But it seems ungenerous to cast doubt.

The Guardian - Travel

But other studies have cast doubt.

The New York Times - Health

But studies cast doubt on that.

The New York Times - Health

The move seemed to cast doubt on the officer's story.

The New York Times

The tests cast doubt on one relationship and proved another.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cast doubt" when you want to express uncertainty or skepticism about the accuracy or validity of a claim or statement. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid incorrect preposition usage. While "cast doubt on" is standard, using other prepositions like "about" or "over" can weaken the phrase's impact and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cast doubt" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a predicate, expressing an action that affects the certainty or credibility of something. Examples on Ludwig show it being used to express skepticism in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cast doubt" is a versatile verb phrase used to express skepticism or uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across diverse fields like news, science, and academia. The phrase functions to undermine the credibility of information, and while alternatives like ""call into question"" or "raise questions about" exist, "cast doubt" maintains a neutral register suitable for broad communication. Remember to use the correct preposition "on" and consider the context to convey your intended level of skepticism effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

express skepticism about

Directly states a feeling of doubt or disbelief.

call into question

Suggests a more formal and direct challenge to the validity of something.

challenge the validity of

A more academic or formal way of expressing doubt by questioning accuracy.

raise questions about

Focuses on initiating inquiry rather than directly expressing disbelief.

create uncertainty regarding

Emphasizes the generation of uncertainty.

undermine the credibility of

Emphasizes weakening someone's trustworthiness.

make uncertain

Shifts focus to creating doubt.

throw suspicion on

Implies a negative judgment or potential wrongdoing.

inspire distrust

Highlights the effect on others' confidence or reliance.

plant seeds of doubt

Suggests a subtle introduction of doubt, often with long-term effects.

FAQs

How can I use "cast doubt" in a sentence?

You can use "cast doubt" to express uncertainty about something. For example, "New evidence "casts doubt" on the original findings".

What's a more formal way to say "cast doubt"?

A more formal alternative to "cast doubt" is to "call into question" or "challenge the validity of".

What does it mean to "cast doubt" on something?

To "cast doubt" on something means to cause people to feel uncertain about it or to question its truth or reliability.

Is it better to "cast doubt on" or "raise questions about" a claim?

While both express uncertainty, "cast doubt" implies a stronger degree of skepticism than "raise questions about", which simply suggests further inquiry is needed.