considerable doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

"considerable doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that there is a significant amount of doubt about something. For example, "The reliability of the witness's testimony is in considerable doubt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is considerable doubt whether the….

The New Yorker

But South was in considerable doubt.

The New York Times - Arts

Subsequent research, however, has cast considerable doubt on these conclusions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This result places into considerable doubt the hypothesis of direct solar Lyman-α control of NLC.

Advances in Space Research

On that score, as Ann explained in an earlier post, there is considerable doubt.

University of California, Berkeley

There is considerable doubt that Penry could make such a showing.

Cornell University

That's crucial because there has been considerable doubt about whether protein degraders can work in humans.

Nature

There is considerable doubt whether Gipp ever uttered such a sentiment to Rockne.

The New York Times - Sports

I expressed considerable doubt, but said I would check the magazine.

The New York Times

There's considerable doubt as to the existence of the alleged expertise.

The New York Times

In addition, there is considerable doubt as to the exact nature of the resolution.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "considerable doubt" to express a significant level of uncertainty, especially when evaluating evidence or claims. It's suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "considerable doubt" when a situation warrants stronger terms like "certainty" or "proof". Ensure the degree of doubt aligns with the available evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "considerable doubt" functions primarily as a qualifier expressing uncertainty. It typically modifies a statement or situation, indicating a notable level of skepticism or lack of conviction. Ludwig examples confirm this, showing its role in evaluating claims and outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "considerable doubt" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a significant level of uncertainty or skepticism. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. The phrase functions as a qualifier, modifying statements and situations to indicate a lack of conviction. While alternatives like "significant uncertainty" or "substantial skepticism" exist, "considerable doubt" maintains a neutral tone suitable for formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure the level of doubt aligns with the available evidence to avoid overstating the uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant uncertainty

Replaces "doubt" with "uncertainty" and "considerable" with "significant", altering the specific nuance.

substantial skepticism

Substitutes "doubt" with "skepticism" and "considerable" with "substantial", indicating a more active form of doubt.

serious reservations

Employs "reservations" instead of "doubt", suggesting concerns or hesitations.

grave misgivings

Replaces "doubt" with "misgivings" and "considerable" with "grave", implying deeper apprehension.

marked uncertainty

Uses "marked" instead of "considerable", indicating that the uncertainty is noticeable or distinct.

notable skepticism

Employs "notable" to emphasize the skepticism is worthy of attention or easily observed.

genuine question

Replaces "doubt" with "question", framing uncertainty as a query needing resolution, altering the focus.

widespread disbelief

Substitutes "doubt" with "disbelief", suggesting broader skepticism among a larger group.

profound uncertainty

Uses "profound" to emphasize the depth or intensity of the uncertainty, strengthening the expression.

questionable validity

Changes the structure to focus on the "validity" of something, implying the doubt is about its truth or accuracy.

FAQs

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

You can use "considerable doubt" to express uncertainty about something. For example, "There is "considerable doubt" about whether the project will succeed."

What are some alternatives to "considerable doubt"?

Alternatives include "significant uncertainty", "substantial skepticism", or "serious reservations" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "considerable doubt" in formal writing?

Yes, "considerable doubt" is suitable for formal writing. It conveys a significant level of uncertainty in a professional and neutral manner.

What's the difference between "considerable doubt" and "slight doubt"?

"Considerable doubt" indicates a significant degree of uncertainty, while "slight doubt" implies a minor or negligible level of uncertainty. The choice depends on the extent of the uncertainty you wish to express.