doubtful eyes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doubtful eyes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's expression or gaze that conveys uncertainty or skepticism. Example: "She looked at him with doubtful eyes, unsure if she could trust his words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

She is never entirely satisfied; at the end of each rehearsal, she sighs and looks at me with doubtful eyes.

The New Yorker

The gaze of a thousand doubtful eyes weighs heavily upon my treadmill box as I exit Costco.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

(In fact, if you ever see a rhubarb recipe without sugar, cast a doubtful eye).

The New York Times - Food

Ms. Hashii cast a doubtful eye at a sign saying the library would open in 2012 and returned to filling her few shelves with books.

The New York Times

Neonconservatives like Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol (or anyone at the Weekly Standard, for that matter) and more establishment-type figures like the National Review's Rich Lowry will continue to cast a doubtful and suspicious eye on Paul if he seeks the presidency in 2016.

Huffington Post

These actions undermined his already doubtful legitimacy in the eyes of many, and contributed to the outbreak of two revolts in remote provinces of the Vandal kingdom: in Sardinia, where the local governor, Godas, declared himself an independent ruler, and shortly after in Tripolitania, where the native population, led by a certain Pudentius, rebelled against Vandal rule.

Wikipedia

Is the woman with the smoky eyes aghast or doubtful?

The New York Times

It's doubtful that he'll lay eyes on her again.

The New Yorker

The team declared center Timofey Mozgov doubtful with a soft tissue contusion around his left eye.

Los Angeles Times

I have never used eye cream, and was doubtful any product -- whether the highest-end cosmetic or engine oil -- could stop this advance of nature.

Huffington Post

I'm doubtful at this point, but it's worth keeping an eye on.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doubtful eyes" to subtly convey a character's skepticism or uncertainty without explicitly stating their feelings. It's effective in adding depth to descriptions.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of "doubtful eyes" in dialogue tags. Instead of saying 'She said with doubtful eyes,' show the character's doubt through their words or actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doubtful eyes" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying a noun. It typically describes a person's gaze, suggesting they are experiencing doubt, skepticism, or uncertainty. The Ludwig AI validates this usage, offering examples where the phrase conveys a lack of conviction or trust.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "doubtful eyes" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that conveys skepticism or uncertainty through a person's gaze. While categorized as rare in terms of frequency, its usage is validated by Ludwig and found primarily in News & Media contexts. The analysis suggests that "doubtful eyes" functions as a descriptive element, adding depth to characters and situations by subtly expressing internal states. Alternatives like "skeptical gaze" or "uncertain look" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Ultimately, utilizing "doubtful eyes" is a stylistic choice best employed to enhance descriptive writing and avoid redundancy in dialogue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skeptical gaze

Replaces the adjective "doubtful" with "skeptical" and "eyes" with "gaze", both indicating a lack of conviction.

uncertain look

Uses "uncertain" instead of "doubtful" and replaces "eyes" with "look", focusing on the overall expression.

suspicious eyes

Substitutes "doubtful" with "suspicious", emphasizing a sense of mistrust.

dubious gaze

Replaces "doubtful" with "dubious" and "eyes" with "gaze", conveying a sense of uncertainty or disbelief.

questioning look

Uses "questioning" to suggest the expression is one of inquiry and potential doubt, replacing "eyes" with "look".

disbelieving eyes

Replaces "doubtful" with "disbelieving", highlighting a stronger sense of incredulity.

incredulous stare

Substitutes "doubtful" with "incredulous" and replaces "eyes" with "stare", conveying a strong sense of disbelief or surprise.

apprehensive gaze

Replaces "doubtful" with "apprehensive", suggesting the doubt is tinged with worry or fear.

wary expression

Uses "wary" to indicate caution or suspicion and replaces "eyes" with "expression", referring to the overall facial demeanor.

hesitant look

Replaces "doubtful" with "hesitant", emphasizing a lack of confidence or willingness.

FAQs

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

Use "doubtful eyes" to describe a look that expresses uncertainty or skepticism. For example, "She gazed at the contract with "doubtful eyes", unsure if the terms were fair."

What's a more formal way to say "doubtful eyes"?

A more formal alternative could be "skeptical gaze" or "dubious expression". These options maintain the meaning while elevating the tone.

Is it correct to say "doubtful eye" instead of "doubtful eyes"?

While grammatically possible, "doubtful eye" is less common and typically refers to a literal issue with one eye, such as an injury or medical condition, rather than an expression of doubt. "Doubtful eyes" is more frequently used to describe an expression.

What's the difference between "doubtful eyes" and "suspicious eyes"?

"Doubtful eyes" suggests uncertainty or a lack of conviction, while "suspicious eyes" implies a stronger sense of mistrust or belief that something is wrong. The former is a milder form of questioning than the latter.