expressing reservations about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expressing reservations about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing doubts, concerns, or hesitations regarding a particular subject or decision. Example: "The committee is expressing reservations about the proposed budget cuts and their potential impact on the program."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

The White House, although expressing reservations about some aspects, supported the measure.

The New York Times

Thomas wrote back the following month, expressing reservations about such clandestine authorisation.

The Guardian

With five of the Council's seven members expressing reservations about Plan A, its referral to other agencies seems unlikely.

The New York Times

The government also persuaded most crossbenchers to back the plan, despite some of them expressing reservations about the adequacy of community consultation.

The Guardian

Ms. van den Heever met with a reporter despite expressing reservations about discussing her shaved head, fearful it would be perceived as a publicity stunt.

The New York Times - Arts

Analysts, however, seem to have their doubts that Tebow will emerge as a Wildcat-running sensation, mostly expressing reservations about his arm.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

He never expressed reservations about our arrangement.

The New York Times

Some experts have expressed reservations about microbicides.

The New York Times - Health

Like Haley, she expressed reservations about Trump.

The Guardian

However, he expressed reservations about towing.

The New York Times

Some riders, though, have expressed reservations about the plan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expressing reservations about" to introduce a balanced perspective, acknowledging potential drawbacks while remaining open to possibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "expressing reservations about" too frequently in a single text. Vary your language with synonyms like "voicing concerns" or "raising doubts" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expressing reservations about" functions as a hedge, softening a potentially critical statement by indicating doubt or uncertainty. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

16%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expressing reservations about" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce doubts or concerns regarding a particular subject. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered usable in written English. It functions as a hedge, softening potentially critical statements and is suitable for neutral to formal communication. When using this phrase, clearly articulate specific concerns to foster constructive dialogue. Although frequently employed, it's advisable to vary language with synonyms to maintain reader engagement. Top sources include The New York Times, The Guardian and The Washington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

voicing concerns regarding

Replaces "expressing reservations" with "voicing concerns" offering a more direct expression of worry.

raising doubts concerning

Substitutes "expressing reservations" with "raising doubts", highlighting uncertainty.

registering apprehension regarding

Replaces "expressing reservations" with "registering apprehension", emphasizing a sense of unease.

harboring skepticism towards

Implies a more internal, less openly stated form of doubt compared to "expressing reservations".

feeling doubtful about

Uses a simpler and more direct way to convey a lack of confidence.

having misgivings about

Emphasizes a sense of unease and doubt after an initial positive feeling.

questioning the validity of

Focuses on doubting the correctness or truthfulness of something.

challenging the effectiveness of

Specifically targets doubts about how well something will work.

being dubious regarding

Highlights a strong sense of distrust or doubt.

showing hesitance about

Indicates a reluctance or unwillingness to fully commit or agree.

FAQs

How can I use "expressing reservations about" in a sentence?

You can use "expressing reservations about" to introduce doubts or concerns regarding a particular topic. For example: "The committee is expressing reservations about the proposed budget cuts."

What are some alternatives to "expressing reservations about"?

Some alternatives include "voicing concerns regarding", "raising doubts concerning", or "registering apprehension regarding".

Is it better to say "expressing reservations about" or "voicing concerns about"?

Both phrases are correct, but "voicing concerns about" might sound more direct and less formal than "expressing reservations about". The best choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "expressing reservations about" and "having doubts about"?

"Expressing reservations about" implies openly stating concerns, while "having doubts about" can refer to internal, unexpressed concerns. The former is more public, the latter more private.