doubtful glance

USAGE SUMMARY

"doubtful glance" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a look that expresses uncertainty or skepticism. For example: She gave him a doubtful glance when he made his claim. Alternative expressions include "skeptical look" and "uncertain gaze."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Doubtful glances.

The New York Times - Arts

When she arrived at the site, she waved away doubtful glances from male rescuers and got straight to work.

Independent

(Extremely doubtful).

The New York Times

'Racist?' Doubtful".

The Guardian - Film

(Defiant glance).

Independent

The President seemed doubtful.

The New Yorker

But Heffernan was doubtful.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Csoka was doubtful.

The New York Times

"Doubtful," she said.

The New Yorker

That seemed doubtful.

The New York Times

That conclusion seems doubtful.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doubtful glance" to subtly convey a character's skepticism or uncertainty without explicitly stating their feelings. This is particularly effective in narrative writing to show, not tell, the character's inner state.

Common error

Avoid using "doubtful glance" when you intend to describe admiration or agreement. The phrase inherently implies skepticism or disbelief, not positive emotions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doubtful glance" functions as a noun phrase, where "doubtful" modifies the noun "glance". It describes a specific type of look that conveys a feeling of uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig AI indicates it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "doubtful glance" is a grammatically correct phrase that subtly conveys skepticism or uncertainty through a look. Ludwig confirms its usability in English. While not overly common, it is primarily found in news and media contexts and maintains a neutral register. Alternatives include "skeptical look" or "incredulous stare", offering similar nuances. When using the phrase, consider the emotional context you intend to create, avoiding misinterpretations of positive feelings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skeptical look

Replaces "doubtful" with "skeptical", emphasizing disbelief.

disbelieving look

Directly expresses a lack of belief.

incredulous stare

Conveys a stronger sense of disbelief than "doubtful glance".

uncertain gaze

Focuses on the uncertainty conveyed in the look.

questioning gaze

Shifts the focus to the act of questioning rather than doubt.

suspicious look

Implies distrust or suspicion behind the glance.

distrustful gaze

Highlights the distrust conveyed through the look.

skeptical expression

Like dubious expression, but focused more on disbelief.

dubious expression

Uses "expression" instead of "glance", referring to the overall facial expression.

wary look

Emphasizes caution and lack of trust.

FAQs

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

You can use "doubtful glance" to describe someone's expression when they are uncertain or skeptical about something. For example: "She gave him a "doubtful glance" when he claimed he could finish the project in a day."

What is a good alternative to "doubtful glance"?

Alternatives to "doubtful glance" include "skeptical look", "incredulous stare", or "questioning gaze" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "doubtful glance" formal or informal?

"Doubtful glance" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding writing style and the specific situation being described.

What does a "doubtful glance" typically indicate?

A "doubtful glance" typically indicates skepticism, uncertainty, or disbelief. It suggests that the person giving the glance is not entirely convinced or trusting of something they have seen or heard.