causing doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "causing doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations, statements, or actions that lead to uncertainty or skepticism. Example: "The lack of evidence is causing doubt about the validity of the claims made by the witness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Rooney was reportedly seen limping at a sponsor's event on Monday, causing doubt about his participation.

The Guardian - Sport

Having sessions terminated without explanation from patients can be emotional, causing doubt that they are doing their job well.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Pseudohermaphroditism, a condition in which the individual has a single chromosomal and gonadal sex but combines features of both sexes in the external genitalia, causing doubt as to the true sex.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But unfortunately, there have been far too many cases where the quantitative analysis of those numbers has been flawed, causing doubt about the authors' interpretation and uncertainty about the result.

Science Magazine

Additionally, many of Enron's major assets were pledged to lenders in order to secure loans, causing doubt about what if anything unsecured creditors and eventually stockholders might receive in bankruptcy proceedings.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Stacey and a handful of other professors upend the students' regimented thinking, causing doubts that must be reconciled with their faith.

The New York Times - Books

Conservatives hope that Obama's overreach and Harry Reid's and Nancy Pelosi's arrogance will provoke a backlash -- leading markets to revolt, uniting the Republican base and causing doubts among fiscally conservative Democrats.

The Washington Post

Fifa is no stranger to corruption, with allegations of competition-fixing for host countries and bribery on sponsorship deals for its World Cup still causing doubts about its legitimacy.

The Guardian - Sport

Splashes of sparkle adorn the pages as the seedling kiss causes "doubt" and a "pout" before it sprouts and spreads in a cheery wash of yellow and pink.

The New York Times - Books

"Several incidents in Kotor in a short time period [have] affected perceptions, caused doubt and, in some people, even fear that they are not safe in this town," the interior minister, Goran Danilović, said.

The Guardian

"In light of this, I have decided to stand down as chair of the disputes panel to ensure my wrong and misguided questions on this case do not cause doubt or anxiety about our processes".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "causing doubt" when you want to emphasize the direct action of creating uncertainty or skepticism in a situation or about a claim. It is especially effective when the source of the doubt is clear.

Common error

While "causing doubt" is generally acceptable, in highly formal or academic writing, consider using more precise or nuanced alternatives like "generating uncertainty" or "instilling skepticism" to convey a more sophisticated understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "causing doubt" functions as a verbal phrase that typically modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating the reason for uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The phrase describes an action that leads to a state of uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science & Research

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "causing doubt" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes the action of creating uncertainty or skepticism. According to Ludwig AI, it’s appropriate for a variety of contexts, especially in news, science, and encyclopedic content. While relatively uncommon, it effectively communicates the origin of uncertainty. When choosing alternatives, consider options like "generating uncertainty" or "instilling skepticism" for more formal writing. Remember to use "causing doubt" when the goal is to directly link an action to the emergence of doubt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creating uncertainty

Focuses on the active creation of an uncertain situation.

generating uncertainty

Highlights the production of an uncertain state.

leading to uncertainty

Highlights the consequence of an action resulting in uncertainty.

instilling skepticism

Emphasizes the creation of a skeptical attitude.

giving rise to skepticism

Similar to instilling skepticism, but emphasizes the emergence of skepticism.

fostering disbelief

Stresses the encouragement of a lack of belief.

prompting suspicion

Centers on eliciting a feeling of mistrust.

raising questions

Focuses on prompting inquiry rather than explicitly creating uncertainty.

sowing seeds of doubt

Uses a metaphor to describe the gradual introduction of uncertainty.

casting aspersions

Implicates a subtle or indirect attack on someone's character or reputation.

FAQs

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

You can use "causing doubt" to describe something that is creating uncertainty. For example, "The lack of evidence is "causing doubt" about the validity of the claims."

What are some alternatives to "causing doubt"?

Alternatives to "causing doubt" include "raising questions", "instilling skepticism", or "generating uncertainty", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "causing doubt" or "creating doubt"?

Both "causing doubt" and "creating doubt" are grammatically correct. "Creating doubt" may be slightly more active, while "causing doubt" implies a more passive effect, but the difference is subtle.

What does "causing doubt" imply?

"Causing doubt" implies that something is actively making people feel uncertain or skeptical about something. It suggests a direct link between a situation or statement and the feeling of uncertainty.