disturbing doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disturbing doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a feeling of uncertainty or unease about a situation or thought. Example: "As she reviewed the evidence, a disturbing doubt crept into her mind about the validity of the claims."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But a disturbing doubt began to creep into my consciousness.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Both have been convicted for crimes over which there are many disturbing doubts.

Huffington Post

Too many disturbing doubts remain in the case of Troy Davis.

Huffington Post

But we were witnessing the execution of a man about whose alleged crime there were many disturbing doubts.

Huffington Post

A wonderfully creepy and philosophical treatise, The Telling features a psychiatrist who doubts his own sanity when he begins to have momentary, disturbing visions, no doubt influenced by the unnerving calm of his patient, Pandora, who insists there is a coming apocalypse.

Huffington Post

The various answers returned to these questions have sometimes been disturbing, but one cannot doubt that the questions have philosophical substance.

The New York Times

But more important, and no doubt more disturbing, is what Adam's time line of ignorant tweets — what he calls "the repository of death" — says about a certain generation's failure of imagination.

The New Yorker

But more important, and no doubt more disturbing, is what Adam's time line of ignorant tweets what he calls "the repository of death"—says about a certain generation's failure of imagination.

The New Yorker

However, the fact that it also achieves respectable coverage values is quite disturbing and casts certain doubts on enrichment and coverage as the only measures to assess the performance of module discovery programs.

Plosone

Surprisingly, although such disturbing discrepancies cast considerable doubts on the validity of identified biomarker candidates, little study was undertaken to examine their potential causes.

Clinical Epigenetics

It is the last book of the New Testament, the last to be accepted as canonical and without a doubt the most disturbing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "disturbing doubt", ensure the context clearly indicates the source or cause of the unease. For instance, specify what the doubt is related to.

Common error

Avoid using "disturbing doubt" for minor uncertainties. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the doubt genuinely causes significant unease or concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disturbing doubt" functions as a noun phrase, where "disturbing" is an adjective modifying the noun "doubt". It denotes a feeling of unease or uncertainty. As Ludwig AI suggests, the expression is valid and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Books

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "disturbing doubt" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey a feeling of unease or anxiety about something. Though less frequent in everyday conversation, as seen in the limited examples Ludwig AI provides, it is used in writing and more serious discussions. Ludwig's analysis underscores the phrase's validity, advising its appropriate usage in situations where a doubt genuinely prompts concern. Related phrases such as "troubling uncertainty" or "unsettling doubt" may be used depending on the specific nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

troubling uncertainty

Replaces "disturbing" with "troubling", emphasizing the worry caused by the uncertainty.

unsettling doubt

Substitutes "disturbing" with "unsettling", highlighting the discomfort the doubt causes.

disquieting uncertainty

Uses "disquieting" instead of "disturbing", focusing on the anxiety produced by the uncertainty.

lingering suspicion

Replaces "doubt" with "suspicion", suggesting a more active distrust.

lingering question

Replaces "doubt" with "question", softening the intensity.

nagging uncertainty

Replaces "disturbing" with "nagging", describing how something continuously cause someone anxiety.

worrisome uncertainty

Uses "worrisome" instead of "disturbing", focusing on the concern produced by the uncertainty.

growing apprehension

Replaces both words to express increasing feelings of anxiety.

deep misgiving

Replaces both words to convey a strong feeling of doubt, anxiety, or suspicion.

serious reservations

Substitutes both to express significant doubts and hesitations.

FAQs

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

You can use "disturbing doubt" to describe a feeling of unease about something. For example: "A "disturbing doubt" crept into her mind as she considered the evidence."

What phrases are similar to "disturbing doubt"?

Similar phrases include "troubling uncertainty", "unsettling doubt", or "lingering suspicion". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "disturbing doubt"?

Use "disturbing doubt" when you want to emphasize that a feeling of uncertainty is causing you significant unease or anxiety. It's stronger than a simple "doubt".

Is "disturbing doubt" a formal or informal expression?

"Disturbing doubt" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in writing or serious discussions than in casual conversation.