create doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

"create doubt" is correct and usable in written English and can be used in a variety of ways.
For example, "The lack of evidence seems to create doubt about the defendant's guilt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Anxiety and anger can create doubt around people's intentions.

The Guardian

It may, in fact, create doubt, which undercuts faith.

The New York Times - Magazine

Totally, unbelievably untrue, but it does create doubt and they just drive right through that".

The Guardian

"And it will create doubt amongst private-sector folks who need to help protect us".

The New York Times

He has gained the psychological edge that champions possess, the ability to create doubt in opponents.

The New York Times - Sports

"The inference throughout these books is to create doubt," Busch said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

It has all been more than enough to create doubts, to increase caution.

The New York Times - Sports

But just leaving the debt pile at close to its original size could stifle economic activity and create doubts about the financial sector's viability.

The New York Times

Certainly, any serious talk of allowing states to seek bankruptcy protection under Chapter 9 — which municipalities can currently pursue — could create doubts in an anxious municipal bond market.

The New York Times

One loss, or even just a solitary knockdown or slightly controversial victory can define the career of a fighter, and create doubts for even the most impassive analyst.

Independent

This is a place where our associations — sandals and piles of coins versus shoes and bills — create doubts that hang in the air, like an annoying buzz.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "create doubt" when you want to express the action of instilling uncertainty or skepticism in a situation or person. Ensure the context clearly indicates what or whom the doubt is directed towards.

Common error

Avoid vague statements where it's unclear who or what is "creating doubt". Always specify the agent or factor responsible for instilling the uncertainty to maintain clarity and avoid misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "create doubt" functions as a verb phrase where "create" is the transitive verb and "doubt" is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "create doubt" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase across multiple domains. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. It serves to express the instilling of uncertainty, and it finds frequent use in contexts such as news reporting and scientific discourse. While related phrases like "instill uncertainty" and "raise questions" offer nuanced alternatives, "create doubt" remains a versatile choice for expressing the introduction of skepticism or uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instill uncertainty

Focuses on the action of planting uncertainty.

raise questions

Emphasizes the act of posing questions that lead to doubt.

sow seeds of suspicion

Uses a metaphorical expression to highlight the planting of distrust.

foster skepticism

Highlights the nurturing of a skeptical attitude.

generate disbelief

Focuses on the production of disbelief.

arouse suspicion

Emphasizes the act of awakening suspicion.

cast aspersions

Highlights the act of making disparaging remarks to create doubt.

undermine confidence

Focuses on weakening confidence, which can lead to doubt.

plant misgivings

Highlights the act of introducing feelings of doubt or apprehension.

breed uncertainty

Emphasizes the propagation of uncertain feelings.

FAQs

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

You can use "create doubt" to describe actions that instill uncertainty. For example, "The politician's vague answers "create doubt" about their true intentions."

What are some alternatives to "create doubt"?

Alternatives include "instill uncertainty", "raise questions", or "sow seeds of suspicion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "create doubt" or "generate doubt"?

Both "create doubt" and "generate doubt" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis. "Create" implies bringing something new into existence, while "generate" implies producing or causing something.

How does "create doubt" differ from "raise suspicion"?

"Create doubt" generally refers to instilling uncertainty in a broader sense, while "raise suspicion" specifically implies causing someone to believe that something is wrong or dishonest. The former is broader than the latter.