casts doubt on

USAGE SUMMARY

"casts doubt on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a feeling of uncertainty or skepticism about something. Example: His lack of reliable evidence casts doubt on his claims.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But recent research casts doubt on it.

The Economist

That casts doubt on the boldness of his leadership.

The Economist

Our analysis casts doubt on the Tea Party's "origin story".

The New York Times

Second, it casts doubt on Mr. Romney's aura of electability.

The New York Times

Either way, the evidence casts doubt on their judgment.

The New Yorker

It casts doubt on American "watch-lists" of suspects.

The Economist

However, the latest video casts doubt on Shekau's newfound meekness.

The Guardian

She also casts doubt on his later reputation as a full-blown alcoholic and addict.

The New Yorker

A new study by the Urban Institute, a think-tank, casts doubt on this assertion.

The Economist

This casts doubt on the industry's contention that money funds have rarely faced financial difficulties.

The New York Times

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

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the strength of your claim. "Casts doubt on" suggests a degree of uncertainty, but not necessarily a complete rejection. Use stronger language if a complete dismissal is warranted.

Common error

A common mistake is using "casts doubt on" as a vague criticism without providing concrete reasons or evidence. Always follow the phrase with specific details that explain the source of the doubt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "casts doubt on" functions as a verb phrase that introduces an element of uncertainty or skepticism regarding a particular subject or claim. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates that something previously considered certain is now questionable. Examples from Ludwig show it used in various contexts, such as questioning research findings or the validity of arguments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "casts doubt on" is a versatile phrase used to express skepticism or uncertainty about a claim or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. To use it effectively, provide specific evidence or context for the doubt you are expressing. Alternatives include "raises questions about" or "calls into question". Avoid overusing the phrase without supporting details. The phrase is appropriate for neutral register but is more frequently used in academic or analytical content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

puts in doubt

A more concise variation, simply stating that something is now uncertain.

calls into question

Replaces "casts doubt on" with a more formal idiom, suggesting a challenge to the validity or reliability of something.

raises questions about

Changes the verb from 'cast' to 'raise' and uses 'questions' instead of 'doubt', implying a similar but slightly more inquisitive tone.

challenges the validity of

Directly questions whether something is sound, well-grounded, or justifiable.

undermines the credibility of

Focuses on the effect of doubt on someone or something's believability.

suggests uncertainty about

Uses a more tentative verb, 'suggests', to indicate a lack of sureness regarding something.

weakens the argument for

Indicates that the reasons or evidence supporting a particular stance are less convincing.

arouses suspicion about

Shifts the focus to the feeling of distrust or skepticism that is created.

creates skepticism regarding

Highlights the generation of a doubting attitude about something.

makes one wonder about

Expresses the phrase in a more conversational tone, indicating contemplation and uncertainty.

FAQs

What does "casts doubt on" mean?

The phrase "casts doubt on" means to cause uncertainty or skepticism about something. It suggests that something previously believed to be true or reliable is now questionable.

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

You can use "casts doubt on" to express your skepticism about a claim or situation. For example: "The new evidence "raises questions about" his alibi."

Which is a stronger phrase, "casts doubt on" or "disproves"?

"Disproves" is a stronger phrase. "Casts doubt on" suggests uncertainty, while "disproves" indicates that something has been shown to be false.

What are some alternatives to "casts doubt on"?

Some alternatives to "casts doubt on" include "calls into question", "undermines the credibility of", or "challenges the validity of" depending on the specific context.