doubt the truth

USAGE SUMMARY

'doubt the truth' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express suspicion or uncertainty about the accuracy of something you have heard or read. For example: After hearing the rumours, she began to doubt the truth of what she had been told.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

No doubt the truth is in some subtle combination of stories.

The Economist

How could one doubt the truth of such assessments, rendered as they are without the leaden cadences of boilerplate?

The New Yorker

He may doubt the truth of what the official says, but he cannot doubt that the offical has said it.

The New Yorker

To those who doubt the truth of this, I recommend anything by Michael Holroyd or Richard Holmes, or Selina Hastings.

The Guardian - Books

Thanks to Snowden, and what he told the Guardian and the Washington Post, we now have cause to doubt the truth of this testimony.

The New Yorker

Each came, independently, to doubt the truth of what the regime was saying, but, thinking the other was still loyal, continued to repeat Stalinist slogans to her sister.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

To doubt or question the truth of this event is to doubt the core and distinct meaning and doctrine of the Christian religion.

SEP

Finally, Lairdman leaves doubting the truth of this new information.

The New Yorker

I looked at what I'd written and doubted the truth of any of it.

Independent

"The Guardian has never doubted the truth of its original story.

The Guardian

Not a scrap of evidence has emerged since the war to suggest that Mr Bush or Mr Blair doubted the truth of their central claim.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "doubt the truth", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific aspect of the information is being questioned. Be precise in your expression of skepticism.

Common error

Avoid using "doubt the truth" in situations where you only have minor concerns. Overgeneralizing doubt can undermine your credibility. Instead, specify the particular elements you find questionable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doubt the truth" functions primarily as a verb phrase expressing skepticism or uncertainty. It indicates a questioning of the accuracy or reliability of a statement or piece of information. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

20%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "doubt the truth" is a grammatically correct verb phrase that expresses skepticism or uncertainty about the accuracy of information. While Ludwig AI confirms its proper use, its frequency is uncommon. It appears most often in news and media contexts, with applications in science and general discourse. Remember to use this phrase when expressing a clear and justified questioning of information. Alternatives like "question the veracity" or "challenge the validity" can provide nuanced variations depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

question the veracity

This alternative focuses on questioning the accuracy or correctness of something.

challenge the validity

This alternative implies a more direct confrontation or questioning of the soundness of something.

disbelieve the narrative

This shifts the focus to a story or account, suggesting skepticism about its authenticity.

be skeptical of the claim

This focuses on a specific assertion and expresses a general feeling of doubt.

have reservations about the accuracy

This highlights concerns about the precision or correctness of something.

distrust the information

This suggests a lack of confidence in the reliability of the details provided.

call into question the authenticity

This implies a formal or serious questioning of something's genuineness.

suspect the honesty

This shifts the doubt to the integrity of the person or source providing the information.

lack faith in the account

This suggests a fundamental disbelief in the provided report or story.

harbor disbelief regarding the facts

This emphasizes a feeling of incredulity towards the presented evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "doubt the truth" in a sentence?

You can use "doubt the truth" to express skepticism about a statement or account. For example, "After hearing conflicting reports, I began to doubt the truth of the official story."

What are some alternatives to "doubt the truth"?

Alternatives include "question the veracity", "challenge the validity", or "be skeptical of the claim", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "doubt the truth" or "doubt the veracity"?

Both "doubt the truth" and "doubt the veracity" are correct, but "doubt the veracity" might be considered more formal. The best choice depends on the context and your desired tone.

When should I use "doubt the truth" instead of "disbelieve the story"?

"Doubt the truth" implies questioning the accuracy of specific information, while "disbelieve the story" suggests rejecting the entire narrative as untrue. Choose the phrase that best reflects your level of skepticism.