casts doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

"casts doubt" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to cause uncertainty or question the validity of something. Example: The conflicting evidence presented in court casts doubt on the defendant's alibi.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

But recent research casts doubt on it.

The Economist

Yet the research casts doubt.

The New York Times - Magazine

A new study casts doubt.

The New York Times

This casts doubt on anybody's awards.

The Washington Post

But some recent research casts doubt on this hypothesis.

University of California, Berkeley

A recent review casts doubt on supplements for disease prevention.

Harvard University

But political scientist Markus Prior casts doubt on this premise.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

New Study Casts Doubt On Effectiveness Of Police Body Cameras.

HuffPost

Yet the largest global study of abortion ever undertaken casts doubt on that simple proposition.

The Economist

Having seen Filin's unbandaged face on TV, Tsiskaridze casts doubt on the official version of events.

BBC

A rejection of the null hypothesis casts doubt on the validity of the instruments.

Health Economics Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "casts doubt" to express a questioning of previously accepted facts or ideas. It's effective when introducing new evidence or analysis that challenges a common belief.

Common error

While "casts doubt" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Opt for more informal alternatives like "makes me wonder" or "raises questions" in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "casts doubt" primarily functions as a verb phrase, modifying a subject and indicating that something introduces uncertainty or challenges the validity of a statement or claim. The Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatical validity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "casts doubt" is a versatile expression used to introduce uncertainty or question the validity of something. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatical correctness. As shown by the Ludwig examples, it commonly appears in academic, scientific, and news contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that it aligns with the overall tone of your writing and consider more informal alternatives like ""raises questions about"" in casual conversations. Be mindful of the context to maintain clarity and appropriateness. Overall, "casts doubt" is a powerful tool for critical analysis and persuasive communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

calls into question

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing doubt or skepticism.

raises questions about

Focuses on the act of questioning, highlighting uncertainty more directly.

creates uncertainty regarding

Highlights the creation of a state of being unsure or indefinite.

challenges the validity of

Specifically targets the legitimacy or correctness of something.

brings skepticism to

Focuses on a skeptical attitude towards something.

undermines the credibility of

Directly attacks the believability of something.

suggests reservations about

Indicates a holding back or cautiousness in accepting something.

arouses suspicion about

Emphasizes a feeling of mistrust or wariness.

weakens the case for

Indicates that the arguments in favor of something are less convincing.

puts a question mark over

A more visual and less formal way to express uncertainty.

FAQs

What does "casts doubt" mean?

The phrase "casts doubt" means to cause uncertainty or question the validity of something. It implies that new information or evidence suggests that a previously held belief may not be correct.

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

You can use "casts doubt" to express uncertainty about a claim or statement. For example, "The new evidence "raises questions about" the original findings."

What are some alternatives to "casts doubt"?

Alternatives to "casts doubt" include phrases like ""raises questions about"", "calls into question", or "undermines the credibility of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "casts doubt on" the same as "casts doubt about"?

"Casts doubt on" is the more common and grammatically correct phrasing. While "casts doubt about" might be understood, it's less conventional. It's best to use "casts doubt on" in formal writing.