doubtful of it

USAGE SUMMARY

"doubtful of it" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when expressing uncertainty or skepticism about a particular idea or statement. Example: She was doubtful of it after hearing the conflicting reports. Alternative expressions include "skeptical of it" and "uncertain about it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Doubtful of it arriving tho - worth a punt".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

After her death in 1881, Seacole's fame declined and her memoirs were not reprinted again until 1984, when two researchers, doubtful of its existence, rediscovered it in the British Library catalogue.

The Guardian

"We don't have much information concerning the 'explosive' and it comes directly from the police, which makes us doubtful of its accuracy," he told The Huffington Post.

Huffington Post

A popular song at this year's Haitian Carnival included a line cautioning young men nearby the peacekeepers to watch their rears.Even as Haitians have been outraged by Minustah's wrongdoing, they have become increasingly doubtful of the benefits it provides.

The Economist

So, barring unforeseen events, Obama may get a slight benefit from the background issues of the economy (especially if the unemployment number is good) and immigration, but it's doubtful that any of it will produce any sort of sudden surge in the polling.

Huffington Post

Salter has long felt overlooked, neglected, doubtful of his reputation and whether it would ever amount to anything.

The Guardian - Books

He had become her manager, savvy in industry ways and though doubtful of my succeeding, we hit it off.

Huffington Post

While my personal experience with IPOA's Code of Conduct leave me doubtful that it is capable of ensuring high standards of behavior, given its lack of in-house ability to thoroughly investigate allegations of violations, plus the fact that it lacks the incentive, given that its funding comes in large part from its member companies it's worth taking a look at the argument.

Huffington Post

75 In case of doubtful reactions it is advisable to retest with a lower concentration.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology

But its passengers remain doubtful of America's capacity to stick to its task.

Huffington Post

Yes; and even if it had been known in Germany in the forties, it's doubtful that a recording of it would have been available.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "doubtful of it", ensure the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "doubtful of it" when you intend to express strong disbelief or certainty. The phrase indicates a degree of uncertainty, not a firm conviction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doubtful of it" functions as an adjectival phrase, where "doubtful" modifies the implied noun by expressing uncertainty or skepticism regarding "it". As Ludwig explains, it is used to indicate a lack of conviction or belief.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "doubtful of it" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey uncertainty or skepticism. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in English writing. Its adjectival function allows it to express reservation, often about a specific situation, idea, or statement. While it appears across various registers, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly identifying the referent of "it". Consider alternatives like "skeptical about it" or "unsure of it" depending on the degree of doubt you want to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skeptical about it

Replaces "doubtful" with "skeptical", implying a stronger degree of disbelief.

dubious about it

Substitutes "doubtful" with "dubious", indicating suspicion or uncertainty.

unsure of it

Uses "unsure" instead of "doubtful", suggesting a lack of certainty rather than outright disbelief.

questioning it

Presents the doubt as an active questioning, rather than a state of uncertainty.

disbelieving it

Presents the doubt as active disbelief.

having doubts about it

Phrases the doubt as possessing doubts, adding a personal element.

hesitant about it

Conveys reluctance and uncertainty, rather than strong disbelief.

not convinced by it

Emphasizes a lack of persuasion, rather than simple doubt.

taking it with a grain of salt

Indicates caution and tempered belief, rather than outright doubt.

apprehensive about it

Suggests worry or anxiety regarding the outcome or implications, alongside the doubt.

FAQs

How can I use "doubtful of it" in a sentence?

You can use "doubtful of it" to express uncertainty or skepticism about something. For example, "I was "doubtful of it" after hearing the conflicting reports".

What are some alternatives to saying "doubtful of it"?

Alternatives include "skeptical about it", "unsure of it", or "questioning it", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "doubtful about it" or "doubtful of it"?

Both "doubtful about it" and ""doubtful of it"" are grammatically correct and acceptable. The choice often depends on personal preference and regional dialect, although "doubtful of it" can sound slightly more formal.

When should I use "doubtful" versus "unlikely"?

"Doubtful" expresses a feeling of uncertainty or disbelief, whereas "unlikely" describes the probability of something happening. You are ""doubtful of it"" when you question its validity, while it is "unlikely" when its occurrence is improbable.