feel sceptical about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel sceptical about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing doubt or uncertainty regarding a particular idea, situation, or claim. Example: "Many people feel sceptical about the effectiveness of the new policy implemented by the government."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Does he ever feel sceptical about the high-end world of contemporary art, which is driven by fashion and money?

BBC

Given this complexity, practitioners may feel sceptical about how academic studies from a wide range of (often poorly described) 54 contexts and settings can help them with their particular jobs.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Feeling sceptical about hyped social location apps like Oink and Stamped?

The Guardian - Tech

In addition, 41% felt sceptical about the effectiveness of lifestyle advice.

BMC Family Practice

Now, however, Lanier – who is also an accomplished musician – feels increasingly sceptical about the way the web is developing.

The Guardian - Tech

You will forgive me, I hope, if I feel a little sceptical about the government's much vaunted commitment to achieving a so-called parity of esteem in the treatment of mental and physical health problems.

The Guardian

However, when people felt uncomfortable or sceptical about the products, they would seek advice from their family members or talk to acquaintances who worked in the medical field; for example, 'I also have a friend who is a sales representative for pharmacies.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Amid a collection of key points from the encyclical, Lloyd quotes a media release from James Grant, Catholic priest and adjunct fellow at the Institute of Public Affairs, reassuring Catholics that they "can feel safe in being sceptical about the pope's opinion".

The Guardian - Opinion

In the past, I have been rather sceptical about feel-good phrases like "the creative economy".

The Guardian - Books

I guess you could debate how "fish-friendly" angling is but the committee appeared sceptical about what he felt was a lack of detail provided by the schemes's promoters, Hafren Power and about the price the consortium would want for the energy generated.

BBC

Some non-users were sceptical about CAM but felt that CAM information and advice should be more readily available through the NHS.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feel sceptical about", ensure that the context clearly indicates the reason for your skepticism. Providing a brief explanation strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "feel sceptical about" too frequently without providing specific reasons. Overuse can weaken your argument and make you sound generally distrustful without cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel sceptical about" functions as a subjective expression of doubt or disbelief. It connects a personal feeling with a specific object or idea, indicating a lack of conviction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "feel sceptical about" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for conveying doubt or uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It functions to communicate a cautious or questioning attitude and is suitable for various contexts, though most frequently found in news and scientific publications. While versatile, it's best employed with clear context to justify the skepticism. Alternatives like "feel doubtful about" or "have reservations about" can offer subtle variations in tone. Overall, "feel sceptical about" is a valuable tool for expressing nuanced perspectives, requiring thoughtful application for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel doubtful about

Replaces "sceptical" with "doubtful", emphasizing a lack of certainty.

feel dubious about

Uses "dubious" instead of "sceptical", suggesting a stronger sense of mistrust.

feel unconvinced about

Replaces "sceptical" with "unconvinced", highlighting a lack of belief.

have reservations about

Shifts from feeling to having reservations, indicating hesitations or concerns.

view with suspicion

Changes the structure to focus on the act of viewing something with distrust.

feel apprehensive about

Emphasizes a sense of anxiety or unease regarding something.

feel uneasy about

Focuses on a general feeling of discomfort or disquiet.

question the validity of

Directly challenges the truth or accuracy of something.

lack confidence in

Expresses a deficiency in trust or belief.

remain agnostic about

Indicates a position of neutrality due to insufficient evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "feel sceptical about" in a sentence?

You can use "feel sceptical about" to express doubt or uncertainty regarding a claim, idea, or situation. For example, "I "feel sceptical about" the company's promises after their previous failures".

What's a more formal alternative to "feel sceptical about"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "harbor reservations about" or "express doubt regarding". These alternatives maintain a similar meaning but convey a more professional tone.

What can I say instead of "feel sceptical about" when expressing strong disbelief?

If you want to express stronger disbelief, you could use phrases like "am highly dubious of" or "find it hard to believe". These options convey a more pronounced sense of skepticism.

Is it correct to say "I'm sceptical about" instead of "I feel sceptical about"?

Yes, "I'm sceptical about" is a perfectly acceptable and more concise way to express the same sentiment. Both phrases are grammatically correct and widely used.