deep misgivings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deep misgivings" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing strong doubts or concerns about a situation or decision. Example: "Despite the assurances given, I still have deep misgivings about the project's feasibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

But she also has deep misgivings.

The New York Times - Arts

Despite these problems, the new legislation has stirred deep misgivings.

The New York Times

Reports of the supposed retrocession soon were received by the U.S. government with deep misgivings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In Turkey, too, there are deep misgivings about peace with Armenia.

The Economist

Conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats share deep misgivings about concessions they would have to make.

The New York Times

But the EU's urgent need for his help currently outweighs its deep misgivings.

The Guardian

Many people have deep misgivings about this whole approach, about a power grab through the backdoor.

The Guardian - Opinion

For her part, Mrs. Lasar has deep misgivings about the continued American bombing of Afghanistan.

The New York Times

But the idea of American strikes on Afghanistan still stirs deep misgivings in the Muslim world.

The New York Times

She has been forced to rally round Juncker's candidacy, despite having deep misgivings about him herself.

The Guardian - Opinion

While Huntsman obviously isn't considering moving to Santorum, he's another élite Republican who clearly has deep misgivings about Romney.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deep misgivings" to express strong reservations or doubts about a decision, plan, or situation. It is particularly effective when highlighting concerns that go beyond surface-level skepticism.

Common error

While "deep misgivings" is a perfectly valid phrase, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "concerns" or "doubts" may be more appropriate in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deep misgivings" functions as a noun phrase, where "deep" modifies the noun "misgivings", intensifying the feeling of doubt or apprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deep misgivings" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing significant doubts or concerns. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various reputable sources, primarily within news and media contexts. While interchangeable with alternatives like "serious reservations" or "profound doubts", it's important to consider the formality of the setting and choose the most appropriate expression. Avoid overuse in informal settings for maintaining authenticity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious reservations

Replaces "misgivings" with "reservations" to indicate similar feelings of doubt but may imply a more formal context.

profound doubts

Substitutes "misgivings" with "doubts" while maintaining the intensity using "profound".

grave concerns

Emphasizes the seriousness of the concerns, making it suitable for situations where the potential consequences are significant.

strong apprehensions

Focuses on feelings of anxiety or fear about a future event, using "apprehensions" to convey unease.

deep anxieties

Highlights the anxiety component of misgivings, suggesting a more emotional response.

intense worries

Replaces "misgivings" with "worries", suggesting emotional distress. "Intense" adds a level of severity.

considerable qualms

Uses "qualms" to indicate feelings of unease or doubt, similar to misgivings, with "considerable" showing significance.

significant hesitations

Emphasizes reluctance or unwillingness due to doubt, using "hesitations" to convey pause or delay.

serious second thoughts

Highlights the act of reconsidering a decision, suggesting a deeper level of questioning.

unease

A simpler alternative to describe a feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

FAQs

How can I use "deep misgivings" in a sentence?

You can use "deep misgivings" to express strong doubts or concerns. For example: "Despite the assurances, I have "deep misgivings" about the project's success."

What can I say instead of "deep misgivings"?

Alternatives include "serious reservations", "profound doubts", or "grave concerns", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Are there contexts where "deep misgivings" is not appropriate?

While generally acceptable, "deep misgivings" might be too formal for casual conversations. In such cases, simpler terms like "worries" or "doubts" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "deep misgivings" and "slight hesitation"?

"Deep misgivings" indicates strong, significant concerns, whereas "slight hesitation" suggests a minor, passing doubt. The former is much more intense and conveys a greater level of apprehension.