feel suspect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel suspect" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to convey a sense of doubt or mistrust about something or someone, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "I feel suspect about the validity of the data presented in the report."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I can't articulate it, but I think that's the point: to experience it and to have the minimal script make you feel suspect about your own language.

The New Yorker

"If young men are made to feel suspect when they're doing nothing wrong, then ultimately it's going to be hard to bring those people into a real meaningful program of community policing".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There are many ways that Muslims in particular might feel suspected and subordinated – but the victory is in rejecting both this and Isis's othering.

The Guardian - Opinion

In his uniform he felt hated, and outside it he felt suspect.

The Guardian

Glavine said his arm strength felt suspect for the first few innings, then started to improve steadily.

The New York Times - Sports

Some of those portals would sometimes try to undercut one another, but in the consumer's mind, it felt suspect to pay significantly less.

TechCrunch

This is another good cause, but on some fundamental level it feels suspect to me, because logo redesign is a gutless, tokenistic form of protest.

Vice

The chance encounter feels suspect.

The New York Times - Books

There is also our attitude toward much of the Web if a page is more than a couple of years old now, it feels suspect, like there might be something newer that has all this information and more, with more up-to-date graphics.

Forbes

Dover said that the dealings over Smith felt distinctively suspect.

The New York Times - Sports

After 17 years in Beachwood, David suddenly felt alien, suspect.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "feel suspect" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "feel suspicious" or "feel doubtful" to ensure clarity and credibility.

Common error

Be mindful of using "suspect" as an adjective when a verb form like "suspicious" is more appropriate to describe a feeling. "Suspect" typically modifies nouns, not verbs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel suspect" functions as a verb-adjective combination, but it's non-standard. The intended function is to express a state of feeling suspicious or being viewed with suspicion. According to Ludwig, this phrasing is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "feel suspect" is considered grammatically incorrect by Ludwig. While it appears in some contexts, primarily in news and media, it's not recommended for formal or professional use. More appropriate alternatives to convey a similar meaning include ""feel suspicious"", ""feel doubtful"", or "feel uneasy". When using the word "suspect", use it to describe something that causes suspicion, not to describe a feeling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel suspicious

Direct replacement with a standard and grammatically correct term.

feel doubtful

Emphasizes a sense of uncertainty or lack of confidence.

feel uneasy

Highlights a sense of discomfort or anxiety.

feel wary

Implies caution and a lack of trust.

feel skeptical

Focuses on disbelief or questioning something.

feel mistrusted

Expresses a sense of not being trusted by others.

feel distrusted

Similar to "feel mistrusted", but emphasizes a stronger lack of trust.

feel apprehensive

Highlights anxiety about future events.

feel concerned

Emphasizes a sense of worry or interest.

feel unsure

Expresses uncertainty about a situation or decision.

FAQs

What does it mean to "feel suspect"?

The phrase "feel suspect" isn't standard English. It attempts to express a sensation of being suspicious or viewed with suspicion. It is better to use alternatives such as "feel suspicious" or "feel doubtful".

Is it grammatically correct to say "feel suspect"?

No, "feel suspect" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing would be to use an adjective like "suspicious". Saying "I "feel suspicious"" is the grammatically correct alternative.

What can I say instead of "feel suspect"?

Alternatives include ""feel suspicious"", ""feel doubtful"", or "feel uneasy", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use the word "suspect" correctly in a sentence?

Use "suspect" to describe something that causes suspicion, not to describe a feeling. For example, "The package looked suspect" or "He is the prime suspect" are correct uses. For feelings, use "suspicious" instead.