easy to suspect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "easy to suspect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is likely to raise suspicion or doubt. Example: "Given the circumstances, his sudden change in behavior was easy to suspect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

As he intermittently drew hard on his cigarette, disarranged his sandy hair and fiddled with a constantly shuddering BlackBerry, it was easy to suspect he was feeling nervous.

The New York Times

After listening to them at breakfast, it was easy to suspect that the parks would soon be in worse shape no matter who is elected.

The New York Times

It was easy to suspect that Mr. Shrum was simply being modest and following the speechwriter's tradition of giving the client credit.

The New York Times

Still, he did think there were rights and wrongs, and it is easy to suspect that "instinct" is a euphemism (not euphuism: see PAIRS & SNARES) for some more invidious term, such as "breeding".

The New Yorker

It is easy to suspect that this series has been underwritten by a security firm insistent that no woman in America ever go on a date without having first commissioned a background check: Don't jump into bed without it.

The New York Times - Arts

It is easy to suspect, as The Los Angeles Times's Bill Plaschke does, that Bryant suckered everyone, including the Hornets, into this sprained ankle/wobbling champion story line for his hero-building purposes.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

But when he is speaking about race on his own terms, it becomes easier to suspect that he deploys that insight cynically.

The New Yorker

Their obliviousness to the shifting cultural climate might be viewed as a testament to the joys of living in a well-financed, hermetically sealed bubble of comfort, though it's easier to suspect that these four men are just plain oblivious.

The New York Times - Magazine

And it's even easier to suspect the situation cannot be changed.

Vice

Raters will also be blinded to treatment condition but, again, it will be easy for them to suspect patient allocation from the information provided by patients during the assessments.

BMC Psychiatry

It would not be so easy for a clinician to suspect the presence of the psoas abscess if the initial manifestation were a flank or buttock mass.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "easy to suspect", ensure that the context provides some implicit or explicit basis for the suspicion. While the phrase suggests an obviousness to the suspicion, it should still align with the logical flow of the information being presented.

Common error

Avoid using "easy to suspect" in contexts where there is no logical reason for suspicion, as this can make the claim seem unfounded or biased. Always ensure there is a preceding context that makes the suspicion seem reasonable to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "easy to suspect" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive. It describes the quality of a situation or action, indicating that it readily invites suspicion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, as seen in examples illustrating scenarios where suspicion is naturally evoked.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "easy to suspect" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to express that something naturally or readily leads to suspicion. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and highlights its primary function in conveying doubt or mistrust. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various forms of communication. When using "easy to suspect", ensure there's a logical basis for the suspicion and avoid overuse in contexts lacking clear justification. Related phrases like "simple to doubt" or "likely to arouse suspicion" can offer nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simple to doubt

Replaces "easy" with "simple", focusing on the straightforward nature of doubting.

likely to arouse suspicion

Shifts the focus to the action of arousing suspicion rather than the ease of suspecting.

prone to raise doubts

Highlights the tendency to cause doubts, using a slightly more formal tone.

inclined to create mistrust

Emphasizes the creation of mistrust, suggesting a more negative outcome.

apt to generate disbelief

Focuses on generating disbelief, indicating a slightly stronger level of skepticism.

disposed to invite speculation

Highlights the invitation of speculation, suggesting a less certain form of suspicion.

liable to be doubted

Focuses on the likelihood of being doubted, implying a passive role.

ready to mistrust

Emphasizes the readiness to mistrust, focusing on the mindset of the observer.

quick to disbelieve

Highlights the speed at which disbelief occurs, suggesting impulsiveness.

open to question

Indicates that something is not settled or certain and can be questioned.

FAQs

How can I use "easy to suspect" in a sentence?

You can use "easy to suspect" to indicate that something naturally invites suspicion due to certain circumstances. For example, "Given his history of dishonesty, his claims were "easy to suspect"." It is essential the sentence provides a context for this suspicion.

What's a more formal alternative to "easy to suspect"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "likely to arouse suspicion" or "prone to raise doubts". These alternatives maintain a professional tone while conveying the same meaning as "easy to suspect".

Is there a difference between "easy to suspect" and "easier to suspect"?

"Easy to suspect" suggests a straightforward, almost obvious reason for suspicion. "Easier to suspect", on the other hand, implies a comparison. For example, "After the second incident, it became "easier to suspect" foul play than before."

When should I use "easy to suspect" instead of "difficult to believe"?

"Easy to suspect" is used when there are reasons to doubt someone's honesty or integrity, leading to suspicion. "Difficult to believe" is used when something seems improbable or unlikely, which could stem from its novelty or extraordinariness. While there may be overlap, "easy to suspect" focuses more on the trustworthiness of the source, while "difficult to believe" focuses more on the plausibility of the information.