clear doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

"clear doubt" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to emphasize that something is certain or certain doubts have been resolved. For example, "We need to clear doubt on this issue before we can move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When drinking of that peace, it's clear: doubt leads to humility, the way thirst makes us drink.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We can, however, say with certainty that Love his clear doubts about that scenario transpiring.

The Guardian - Sport

The episode raised pretty clear doubts about whether Mr. Cioffi and Mr. Tannin had told investors the truth.

The New York Times

In his memoirs, Mr Cheney will make clear "doubts about the main channels of American policy during the last few years," John Hannah, his foreign policy adviser during the second Bush term, told The Post.

Independent

Brian Evans of Amnesty, which led the campaign to spare Davis's life, said that there was a groundswell in America of people "who are tired of a justice system that is inhumane and inflexible and allows executions where there is clear doubts about guilt".

The Guardian

Although the usefulness of AC quickly become clear, doubts about its soundness remained.

SEP

Study all portions and clear doubts in advance so that you do not have to tackle new concepts the day before the exam.

WikiHow

These events promoted her to eventually hold a press conference with the intent of clearing doubt.

Huffington Post

The book could convey clearer doubts on reported figures known to be so extraordinarily vulnerable to corruption and lack of transparency.

Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice

The evidence that the regime has committed atrocities is clear beyond doubt.

The Economist

"But in order to make that clear beyond doubt, I have regrettably decided to resign with immediate effect".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear doubt" when you want to emphasize the action of actively removing or resolving uncertainty, especially where there's been a prior state of doubt.

Common error

Avoid using "clear doubt" when you actually mean to express having a "doubt" or "reservation". "Clear doubt" signifies resolving an existing doubt, not expressing a new one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear doubt" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "clear" acts as a transitive verb taking "doubt" as its object. The phrase describes the action of removing or resolving uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear doubt" is a commonly used phrase that functions as a verb phrase describing the resolution of uncertainty. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and appears frequently in news, science, and general informational contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that the intent is to convey the removal of an existing uncertainty, rather than expressing a new doubt. Be mindful of the context to select the most appropriate alternative, such as "resolve uncertainty" or "dispel doubts", if a more specific nuance is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resolve uncertainty

Focuses on eliminating the state of being uncertain, broader than just doubt.

dispel doubts

Implies scattering or driving away existing doubts, suggesting a more forceful action.

eliminate skepticism

Targets a specific type of doubt based on disbelief or questioning.

alleviate concerns

Addresses worries or anxieties, which may be related to but not identical to doubts.

confirm certainty

Emphasizes establishing a state of sureness or conviction, the opposite of doubt.

erase misgivings

Targets feelings of apprehension or unease about a future event.

banish suspicion

Focuses on removing a belief or feeling that someone is guilty of an illegal or immoral act.

rectify ambiguities

Addresses lack of clarity or uncertainty in meaning, not necessarily doubt.

assuage apprehension

Targets fears or anxieties about what might happen, often future-oriented.

vanquish qualms

Implies overcoming feelings of uneasiness or hesitation.

FAQs

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

You can use "clear doubt" to describe the action of removing uncertainty. For example, "The investigation aimed to "clear doubt" about the company's financial practices."

What's a good alternative to "clear doubt"?

Alternatives include phrases like "resolve uncertainty", "dispel doubts", or "eliminate skepticism", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "clear doubt" or "clear doubts"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "clear doubts" is more common when referring to multiple uncertainties or reservations. "Clear doubt" can be used in a more general sense to refer to removing a sense of uncertainty.

How does "clear doubt" differ from "raise doubt"?

"Clear doubt" implies resolving a pre-existing uncertainty, while "raise doubt" means to introduce a new question or uncertainty about something.