feel doubtful

USAGE SUMMARY

"feel doubtful" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to have uncertainty or lack of confidence about something. You can use it in various situations, such as expressing hesitation, uncertainty, or suspicion about a statement or situation. Here is an example: "I feel doubtful about his explanation for being late. It doesn't seem very believable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I don't understand why they feel doubtful that there's a plane in the water, because there's a plane in the water," she saidin a telephone interview from her home in Dumont, N.J. "I just know that we were very concerned that somebody was down in that water".

The New York Times

My own personal experience with social conservatives gives me reason to feel doubtful of his assumptions.

Huffington Post

Why do we feel doubtful of our ability, even when we know it would benefit us to feel (and look) more confident?

Huffington Post

If you feel doubtful, start with something small.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Auntie Mei felt doubtful, but her questioning silence did not stop him from admiring his own invention.

The New Yorker

But when she sees her father on the weekends she feels doubtful, and tells herself that they can never again really know what being together means.

The New Yorker

Still I felt doubtful.

Vice

Still, I felt doubtful.

Vice

I was the one who felt doubtful and undeserving.

Huffington Post

Are you finding ways to encourage yourself when you have felt doubtful?

Huffington Post

Finally, there were some first-time pregnant women who felt doubtful as to whether they had been able to answer the CBSEI correctly, as they said in their own words:… "that they had not had any experiences of childbirth and thereby, no expertise to make judgments".

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel doubtful" to express a personal sense of uncertainty or lack of conviction about something. It's most effective when describing subjective feelings rather than stating objective facts.

Common error

Avoid using "feel doubtful" when you want to express a strong, definitive statement of disbelief. Instead, use phrases like "it is unlikely" or "there is little evidence to suggest."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel doubtful" functions as a verb phrase followed by an adjective, expressing a subjective experience of uncertainty. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, indicating a personal lack of conviction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feel doubtful" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a personal sense of uncertainty or lack of confidence. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its frequency is relatively uncommon. It appears most often in news and media contexts. For more formal situations, consider using alternatives like "harbor reservations" or "express skepticism". Be mindful that this phrase communicates a subjective feeling rather than a definitive statement. The examples provided by Ludwig help clarify its various applications and nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be uncertain

Indicates a general state of not knowing or being sure.

harbor doubts

Shifts the focus to actively holding or containing feelings of doubt.

lack confidence

Focuses on the absence of self-assurance or trust in one's abilities.

have reservations

Implies a more formal or considered hesitation, often in a decision-making context.

be dubious

Suggests a stronger feeling of disbelief or untrustworthiness.

have misgivings

Highlights feelings of apprehension or unease about a future event or decision.

be skeptical

Emphasizes a questioning attitude towards claims or statements.

question the validity

Specifically challenges the truth or accuracy of something.

feel apprehensive

Emphasizes a sense of anxiety or worry about potential outcomes.

view with suspicion

Indicates a guarded or distrustful perspective.

FAQs

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

You can use "feel doubtful" to express your personal uncertainty about something. For instance, "I "feel doubtful" about the success of this project."

What's a more formal alternative to "feel doubtful"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "harbor reservations" or "express skepticism" instead of "feel doubtful".

Is it better to say "I feel doubtful" or "I doubt"?

Both are correct, but "I doubt" is more direct. "I "feel doubtful"" expresses a personal feeling of uncertainty, while "I doubt" expresses a more objective assessment.

What's the difference between "feel doubtful" and "feel unsure"?

"Feel doubtful" implies a specific lack of confidence or certainty about something, while "feel unsure" is a more general expression of uncertainty or lack of knowledge.