doubted that

USAGE SUMMARY

"doubted that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express doubt or disbelief in something. For example: He doubted that he would ever be successful.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I said I doubted that was true.

The New York Times - Magazine

Medieval man never doubted that simple proposition.

The New York Times - Books

But others doubted that would happen.

The New York Times

I doubted that; he seemed older, somehow.

The New Yorker

I told him I doubted that would be a problem.

The New York Times

Still, many doubted that extra Klotho would lengthen life span.

Science Magazine

But I doubted that was causing of the outrage.

Huffington Post

I've never doubted that.

The New Yorker

I never doubted that".

The Guardian - Sport

She doubted that he would miss it.

The New Yorker

But his brother, Oziel, doubted that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "doubted that" when reporting someone else's skepticism, providing a balanced perspective in your writing.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses when using "doubted that". Ensure the tense of the clause following "doubted that" aligns logically with the past tense of "doubted" to maintain grammatical coherence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doubted that" functions as a conjunction phrase introducing a subordinate clause that expresses uncertainty or disbelief. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It is typically employed to convey a speaker's or character's lack of conviction regarding a particular statement or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "doubted that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express uncertainty or disbelief. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility. It appears across diverse contexts, primarily in news and media, but also in scientific and encyclopedic sources. When using it, ensure tense consistency and consider alternative phrases like "questioned whether" or "expressed skepticism about" for subtle variations in meaning. The phrase is particularly useful for introducing contrasting viewpoints or reporting skepticism, making it a valuable tool for balanced and nuanced writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

questioned whether

Focuses on the act of questioning the truth or validity of something.

expressed skepticism about

Highlights a degree of disbelief or uncertainty regarding something.

was uncertain if

Emphasizes a lack of certainty about a particular matter.

disbelieved that

Indicates a stronger sense of disbelief or rejection of a statement.

had reservations about

Suggests concerns or hesitations regarding something.

remained unconvinced that

Implies a persistent lack of belief or persuasion.

was dubious about

Indicates a feeling of uncertainty or suspicion.

took a dim view of

Suggests a negative or pessimistic outlook on something.

presumed otherwise

Indicates an assumption of something different or contradictory.

speculated against

Expresses conjecture or theorizing that contradicts a particular idea.

FAQs

How can I use "doubted that" in a sentence?

Use "doubted that" to express uncertainty or disbelief about a statement. For example, "He "doubted that" the project would succeed" indicates he was not confident in the project's success.

What are some alternatives to "doubted that"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "questioned whether", "expressed skepticism about", or "was uncertain if", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "doubted that"?

Yes, "doubted that" is grammatically correct and widely used in English to introduce a clause expressing doubt or disbelief.

What's the difference between "doubted that" and "suspected that"?

"Doubted that" implies uncertainty or disbelief, while "suspected that" suggests a belief, often negative, based on incomplete evidence. "Doubted that" indicates a lack of confidence, whereas suspecting suggests a level of belief.