doubtful about

USAGE SUMMARY

"doubtful about" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to express uncertainty or hesitation towards something. Example: I am doubtful about accepting the job offer because the company's reputation is not very good.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm doubtful about that".

The Guardian

Some are still doubtful about their motivation.

The Guardian

He says he was "never doubtful" about returning to football.

Princeton University

Financial reparations he was doubtful about; apologies seemed trifling.

The Economist

Rhinehart, naturally, is doubtful about this line of thinking.

The New Yorker

He said he was initially doubtful about the film project.

The New York Times

Western officials are doubtful about the accuracy of this claim.

Independent

People are even doubtful about their neighbours, he says.

The Economist

But senators were doubtful about Mr. Sullivan's assurances.

The New York Times

I am very doubtful about that," he said.

The Guardian

"Initially, I was doubtful about the conspiracy theories.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing uncertainty, use "doubtful about" followed by a specific noun or gerund phrase to clarify what you are uncertain about. For example: "I am doubtful about the project's success".

Common error

Avoid using "doubtful about" with vague pronouns like 'it' or 'that' without clear context. Always specify what you're doubtful about to prevent confusion. For example, instead of saying "I'm doubtful about it", specify "I'm doubtful about the new policy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doubtful about" functions as an adjectival phrase followed by a preposition. It modifies a noun or pronoun, expressing a state of uncertainty or lack of conviction. Ludwig's examples show it used to express skepticism towards claims, plans, or possibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

19%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "doubtful about" is a correct and very commonly used expression to convey uncertainty or skepticism. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and versatile. It appears most frequently in news and media, but also has significant presence in scientific and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly specify the subject of your doubt to avoid vagueness. While alternatives like "skeptical about" or "unsure of" exist, "doubtful about" provides a balanced and widely accepted way to express reservations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsure of

Highlights a lack of certainty or confidence.

not convinced about

Directly states a lack of belief or persuasion.

skeptical of

Emphasizes disbelief or suspicion rather than simple doubt.

having reservations about

Indicates holding back full acceptance or agreement.

uncertain regarding

Uses a more formal preposition, 'regarding', instead of 'about'.

hesitant about

Suggests reluctance or unwillingness due to uncertainty.

apprehensive about

Suggests anxiety or fear related to the uncertainty.

dubious concerning

A more formal and less common way to express doubt.

questioning

Implies an active process of considering doubts.

incredulous of

Expresses disbelief and surprise.

FAQs

How can I use "doubtful about" in a sentence?

Use "doubtful about" to express uncertainty or skepticism regarding something. For example, "I am doubtful about whether the team will meet its deadline."

What's the difference between "skeptical about" and "doubtful about"?

"Skeptical about" implies a stronger disbelief or cynicism, while "doubtful about" simply suggests uncertainty.

What can I say instead of "doubtful about"?

You can use alternatives like "unsure of", "uncertain regarding", or "not convinced about" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "doubtful about of"?

No, the correct phrase is "doubtful about". The preposition "of" is not needed and would be grammatically incorrect.