doubt around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doubt around" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used when discussing uncertainty or skepticism regarding a particular topic or situation, but it is better to use more established phrases. Example: "There is a lot of doubt around the effectiveness of this new policy."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

There seemed to be a lot of reasonable doubt around.

Independent

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

The Guardian

Even Klinsmann acknowledges the nagging doubt around the team.

The Guardian - Sport

The shroud of doubt around Oyster Creek is nothing new.

The New York Times

The doubt around Davis will linger until he begins to produce runs regularly.

The New York Times - Sports

"They insisted on executing an innocent man despite so much doubt around the case.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

A President Hollande, he said, would no doubt come around once he was in office.

The New York Times

He no doubt carries around that supposed injustice as well as other versions of Scars on Ice.

The New York Times - Sports

If England get it right, then Ritchie will, no doubt, be around publicly patting a few backs.

The Guardian - Sport

One final suggestion: if in doubt, look around and see the person whose job you'd most like to nab, and mould your personal style on theirs.

The Guardian - Money

As his questions and doubts swirled around in his head, Owen began to grow fearful.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and impact, consider replacing "doubt around" with more conventional phrases like "uncertainty about" or "skepticism regarding", especially in formal writing.

Common error

While "doubt around" isn't grammatically incorrect, it can sound less polished in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "uncertainty surrounding" or "concerns regarding" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doubt around" functions as a noun phrase acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it typically introduces a topic of uncertainty or skepticism.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

13%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "doubt around" signifies uncertainty or skepticism, but as Ludwig AI points out, it isn't the most common or grammatically elegant choice. While understandable, it may be better to use phrases like "uncertainty surrounding" or "skepticism regarding" for improved clarity and formality. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its use in formal academic or business settings should be carefully considered. With that in mind, when aiming to use the expression "doubt around" in the most efficient way, always consider that it's better to rely on its multiple alternatives and that there might be even better and more descriptive ways to get the point across. It all depends on context, of course.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncertainty surrounding

Replaces "doubt" with "uncertainty" and uses "surrounding" for a slightly more formal tone.

skepticism concerning

Substitutes "doubt" with "skepticism" and "around" with "concerning", indicating a questioning attitude.

questions surrounding

Substitutes "doubt" with "questions" and uses "surrounding", focusing on open inquiries or unresolved issues.

apprehension regarding

Replaces "doubt" with "apprehension" and "around" with "regarding", suggesting worry or anxiety.

suspicion surrounding

Substitutes "doubt" with "suspicion" and uses "surrounding", indicating a belief that something is wrong or dishonest.

misgivings about

Uses "misgivings" in place of "doubt" and "about" instead of "around", conveying a feeling of unease or hesitation.

reservations concerning

Replaces "doubt" with "reservations" and "around" with "concerning", highlighting specific concerns or objections.

concerns over

Replaces "doubt" with "concerns" and "around" with "over", emphasizing worries or anxieties related to a specific topic.

lack of clarity regarding

Replaces "doubt" with "lack of clarity" and "around" with "regarding", emphasizing the absence of clear understanding.

unease about

Replaces "doubt" with "unease" and "around" with "about", conveying a feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

FAQs

What does "doubt around" mean?

The phrase "doubt around" generally indicates uncertainty or skepticism regarding a particular topic or situation. It suggests that there are reasons to question or lack confidence in something.

What are some alternatives to "doubt around"?

You can use alternatives like "uncertainty surrounding", "skepticism concerning", or "concerns over" depending on the specific context.

Is "doubt around" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "doubt around" is not the most standard or grammatically elegant phrasing. It's generally acceptable, but more precise alternatives often improve clarity.

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

You can use "doubt around" to express uncertainty or a lack of confidence. For example: "There is a lot of "doubt around" the effectiveness of this new policy." However, consider using stronger or more common phrases like "uncertainty about" or "skepticism regarding" for greater clarity.