degrees of doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "degrees of doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe varying levels or intensities of uncertainty regarding a situation or belief. Example: "In matters of science, there are often degrees of doubt that must be acknowledged before reaching a conclusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

All have expressed varying degrees of doubt about the wisdom of sending more forces to Afghanistan.

The New York Times

There are challenges and setbacks, students experience varying degrees of doubt and struggle, and many redefine their goals along the way.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In addition to Kolo Touré, who should join Liverpool, Costel Pantilimon, Joleon Lescott, Gareth Barry, Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz, Scott Sinclair, John Guidetti, Maicon, Edin Dzeko and Wayne Bridge all have varying degrees of doubt over their future JJ Money to spend?

The Guardian - Sport

A minority (5/21) described various degrees of doubt in relation to diagnosis.

BMC Psychiatry

There were different degrees of doubt concerning the ADHD diagnosis, and various reasons and arguments were expressed.

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Others voted Tory with a degree of doubt or even trepidation.

Independent

"Microsoft has been very successful in engendering a degree of doubt about Java among corporate customers," Scott Winkler, an analyst at the Gartner Group, a research firm, said.

The New York Times

On the demerit side, a detectable Balenciaga influence in the proportions and layers cast a degree of doubt over the designers' ability to establish a clear brand identity.

The New York Times

But if it means government has to proceed with a greater degree of doubt that in 2002-3, that that's a good thing.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the invalidity of it was not a point as clear as that the eldest son inherits, the Court will not measure the degree of doubt.

Harvard University

Of course, speeches are peppered with references to the unexpected election triumph – but even a headline-grabbing announcement, delivered with the wave of a conjuror's wand, conveys a degree of doubt about the party's appeal.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "degrees of doubt" to precisely convey varying levels of uncertainty or skepticism. It's particularly effective when discussing nuanced perspectives or complex issues.

Common error

Avoid using "degrees of doubt" when certainty is required or implied. For example, in legal contexts where 'beyond a reasonable doubt' is the standard, substituting "degrees of doubt" would weaken the argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "degrees of doubt" functions as a noun phrase indicating varying levels or intensities of uncertainty or skepticism. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its usage in contexts ranging from political strategy to medical diagnoses.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "degrees of doubt" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe varying levels of uncertainty or skepticism. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is appropriate in a variety of contexts, but most commonly found in News & Media, Academia and Science. When writing, be mindful of the specific context and avoid using the expression when certainty is expected. Alternatives such as "levels of uncertainty" or "varying levels of skepticism" can provide similar meaning while altering the nuance. It's important to use the phrase with precision to effectively convey the intended level of uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

levels of uncertainty

Focuses on the uncertainty aspect rather than the doubt itself.

varying levels of skepticism

Highlights the skepticism involved, implying a questioning attitude.

shades of uncertainty

Emphasizes subtle differences in levels of uncertainty.

a spectrum of doubt

Presents doubt as a range of possibilities rather than a binary state.

different intensities of doubt

Focuses on the strength or weakness of the doubt.

varying amounts of disbelief

Highlights the disbelief aspect rather than the doubt itself.

levels of incredulity

Emphasizes a lack of belief, often in response to something surprising or hard to accept.

a range of misgivings

Suggests a feeling of unease or apprehension about something.

different measures of hesitation

Highlights the act of pausing or delaying due to uncertainty.

varying degrees of reservation

Focuses on a withholding of complete approval or acceptance.

FAQs

How can I use "degrees of doubt" in a sentence?

You can use "degrees of doubt" to describe varying levels of uncertainty or skepticism regarding a particular issue. For example, "There were different "degrees of doubt" concerning the ADHD diagnosis".

What phrases are similar to "degrees of doubt"?

Similar phrases include "levels of uncertainty", "varying levels of skepticism", or "shades of uncertainty" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "degree of doubt" or "degrees of doubt"?

"Degree of doubt" implies a singular, measurable amount of uncertainty, while "degrees of doubt" suggests that there are varying levels or intensities of uncertainty. The choice depends on whether you're referring to a single instance or a range of uncertainties.

What is the difference between "doubt" and "uncertainty"?

"Doubt" implies a lack of conviction or belief, while "uncertainty" suggests a lack of knowledge or predictability. "Degrees of doubt" specifically refers to varying levels of this lack of conviction, while "degrees of uncertainty" would focus on the varying levels of unpredictability.