dispel doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

'dispel doubt' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the act or result of removing doubt or uncertainty. For example, "The expert's knowledge of the situation helped dispel any doubt we had."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The effect of Appearance and Reality was to encourage rather than to dispel doubt, and the following that Bradley had gained through his work in ethics and logic became disenchanted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So the argument is unable to dispel doubt about its conclusion and it is non-transmissive in this sense.

SEP

All three leaders of the largest parties want to use their conferences to dispel doubt about them, their parties and their policies.

BBC

Specifically, in place of checking criteria off lists, researchers must explain, in sufficient enough detail to dispel doubt, how the data were obtained, and why they should be believed to be authentic.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He had not played enough to dispel doubts.

The New York Times - Sports

The migrants conveyed from Calais may be young enough to dispel doubts.

The Guardian - Opinion

One diplomat with long experience of Haiti said the government must quickly dispel doubts.

The New York Times

The major reprocessing companies welcomed the regulations, saying they would dispel doubts about the safety of the recycled devices.

The New York Times

A series of videos of Hargreaves working out were posted Youtube last week in an apparent attempt to dispel doubts about his fitness.

Independent

Tuesday night would have been an occasion for Mr Garcia to dispel doubts about his ability to manage the city's catastrophic finances.

The Economist

He is determined to dispel doubts about whether he has the right background for the top job at South Africa's biggest company.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dispel doubt" when you want to emphasize the act of removing uncertainty or disbelief, often through evidence or explanation.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "dispel doubt" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "clear up doubts" or "ease concerns" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dispel doubt" functions as a verb phrase. It typically features a transitive verb ("dispel") acting upon a noun ("doubt"). It conveys the action of removing or eliminating uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dispel doubt" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in written English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is used to describe the act of removing uncertainty or disbelief. While infrequent, it appears in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. The phrase can be used effectively in news and media, science, and encyclopedia contexts and should be used carefully when clarity and certainty are required. For more informal settings, consider simpler alternatives such as "clear up doubts".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eliminate doubt

Replaces "dispel" with "eliminate", focusing on complete removal.

remove doubt

A more direct synonym, replacing "dispel" with "remove".

banish doubt

Uses "banish" instead of "dispel", suggesting a forceful removal.

eradicate doubt

Similar to "eliminate", but implies a more thorough and permanent removal of doubt.

clarify doubt

Shifts focus to making things clearer to reduce doubt, not necessarily eliminate it.

resolve uncertainty

Replaces "doubt" with "uncertainty" and "dispel" with "resolve", focusing on finding a solution.

quell misgivings

Uses more formal vocabulary; "misgivings" instead of "doubt" and "quell" instead of "dispel".

allay fears

Focuses on reducing fear, which is related to but not the same as doubt.

ease apprehension

Similar to "allay fears", targeting feelings of unease rather than doubt itself.

disprove concerns

Shifts the focus to actively disproving specific worries.

FAQs

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

You can use "dispel doubt" to describe actions that eliminate uncertainty. For example, "The detailed report helped to dispel doubt about the project's feasibility."

What are some synonyms for "dispel doubt"?

Alternatives to "dispel doubt" include "eliminate doubt", "banish doubt", or "remove doubt". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

Both "dispel doubts" and "dispel doubt" are grammatically correct. "Dispel doubts" refers to specific instances of uncertainty, while "dispel doubt" refers to uncertainty in a general sense. It hinges on whether the doubt is considered a single entity or multiple instances.

What's the difference between "dispel doubt" and "address concerns"?

"Dispel doubt" focuses on removing uncertainty, while "address concerns" focuses on dealing with worries or anxieties. Addressing concerns might not always dispel doubt, and vice versa.