feel skeptical

USAGE SUMMARY

"feel skeptical" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of doubt or suspicion, typically when confronted with something that is difficult to believe. For example: "I can't believe that the new hire completed the project so quickly - I'm starting to feel skeptical."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Hard as it may be not to feel skeptical, the small-scale civic principles are solid.

The New York Times - Arts

And he couldn't help but feel skeptical when people talk about how the band unites chavs and indie kids, the university-bound and the dole-bound.

The New York Times - Arts

Also, many people feel skeptical about the existence of ghosts, so the audience within the story — the dinner guests — gave me an opportunity to insert what I anticipated might be a reader's skepticisms into the story.

The New Yorker

But fortune-telling is so engrained in society that it is too late for this propaganda to have any impact: even government officials feel skeptical about the propaganda, for a story about ghosts or souls is no longer a strange story to them.

The Guardian

Still, I now feel skeptical that Trump can keep anything like his growth promise".

Huffington Post

And when so much of our music press and media has historically been ran by old middle class white dudes, the idea of "tastefulness" as an overarching concept can make me feel skeptical.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Even as a product design student, Ms. Pilloton felt skeptical about conventional approaches to design and tried to apply her studies to the causes she cared about.

The New York Times

With such remarks, Fidel emerged as the ultimate paterfamilias of those Cuban apparatchiks who felt skeptical about the country's newly thawed relationship with the U.S. and the concessions to capitalism ushered in by Raúl, which have accelerated since the Cuban-American détente.

The New Yorker

Feeling skeptical, I assumed I would be getting another dry and trite lecture from yet another disconnected diplomat.

Huffington Post

Emergency planner Bill Thomison feels skeptical about a major earthquake, stating, "I don't believe there are any major faults (interface of rocks) here.

Wikipedia

― As conservative millennial voters entered a debate-viewing party in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., on Monday night, they mostly felt skeptical of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel skeptical" when you want to express a sense of doubt or reservation about something, but without necessarily dismissing it outright. It's a good way to convey a balanced perspective.

Common error

While "feel skeptical" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone appear less assertive and more uncertain. Consider replacing it with stronger alternatives like "doubt", "question", or "challenge" to convey more conviction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel skeptical" functions as a verb phrase, expressing a subjective experience of doubt or uncertainty. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in conveying a personal reaction to information or situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feel skeptical" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a subjective feeling of doubt or uncertainty. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media, but should be used judiciously in more formal writing. Related phrases include "feel unsure" and "feel wary", offering alternative ways to express similar sentiments with slightly different connotations. When writing, remember that being skeptical is an indication of critical and analytical thought. Its proper application enhances the credibility and depth of your arguments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel doubt

A more concise way to express a feeling of uncertainty or disbelief.

feel dubious

Expresses uncertainty or doubt about the truth or validity of something.

feel unsure

Expresses a lack of confidence or certainty, focusing on the absence of sureness.

feel uncertain

Highlights a lack of definiteness or predictability, emphasizing the unknown.

feel hesitant

Highlights a reluctance or unwillingness to do something, often due to uncertainty.

feel wary

Suggests a cautious and guarded feeling, implying a potential threat or danger.

feel distrustful

Indicates a lack of trust or confidence in someone or something.

feel suspicious

Implies a belief that someone is involved in wrongdoing or that something is not as it seems.

feel cynical

Indicates a distrust of others' motives, often accompanied by a pessimistic outlook.

feel apprehension

Expresses anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen.

FAQs

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

You can use "feel skeptical" to express doubt about a claim or situation, such as, "I "feel skeptical" about the company's projected profits for next year."

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

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "harbor doubts", "question the validity of", or "remain unconvinced" instead of ""feel skeptical"".

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "feel skeptical"?

While grammatically correct, using ""feel skeptical"" might be inappropriate if you intend to convey absolute certainty or disbelief. Choose a more definitive expression in such cases.

What is the difference between "feel skeptical" and "be skeptical"?

"Feel skeptical" describes a personal feeling of doubt, while "be skeptical" implies a more general disposition or approach. For instance, someone might ""feel skeptical"" about a specific claim, but "be skeptical" of marketing promises in general.