feel suspicious about

USAGE SUMMARY

"feel suspicious about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's feelings of uncertainty or doubt towards a particular person, situation, or set of circumstances. Example: I started to feel suspicious about her intentions when I noticed she was asking lots of questions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Which is why I feel suspicious about baseball nostalgia — it seems dangerously close to nostalgia for an old pre-integration version of the game.

The New York Times

If you feel suspicious about a card, don't hesitate to contact the bank the customer is with.

WikiHow

Think about the people who have a "neutral" role in your life, people you don't feel suspicious about and people you know deep down you can rely upon.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Because we had trouble locating landmarks, we liked to accuse those landmarks of coyness, of changing their position or their color to elude detection, and perhaps we felt suspicious about the sun in this way as well.

The New York Times

The journalist tried to get Sciorra to talk about her time with Weinstein, but she felt suspicious about the questions and ended the call, saying that she felt as if she was being tricked by Weinstein.

HuffPost

Finally, analysis of the differences in emotions between "users" and "non-users" reveals that participants who never use a password manager are more likely to feel suspicious compared to "users," which could be due to misunderstandings about the tool.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Patients spoke about past experiences where they did not know the purpose of forms, making them feel suspicious or intimidated, and frustrating experiences completing forms where they had never seen results.

BMC Health Services Research

You should give a very basic idea of what the file is about in the file name so people will not feel suspicious when downloading it.

WikiHow

If communication with an employer or company feels suspicious, end the communication immediately.

Columbia University

Yet again felt suspicious while waiting outside the liquor store.

Vice

They feel very suspicious about the west.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feel suspicious about", clearly state the object of your suspicion to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "I feel suspicious", specify "I feel suspicious about his sudden generosity".

Common error

Avoid redundancy by omitting "feel" when the meaning is already clear. Instead of "I feel suspicious about that claim", consider simply stating "I'm suspicious of that claim".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel suspicious about" functions as a linking verb followed by an adjective and a preposition, serving to express a subjective emotion or state of mind. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in written English. Examples in Ludwig show its usage in expressing doubt regarding a person, object, or situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feel suspicious about" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a sense of doubt or mistrust. As verified by Ludwig AI, the phrase is appropriate for written English and serves to convey a subjective emotion. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, general knowledge (Wiki), and scientific discussions, with a neutral register. While not as frequent as other expressions, "feel suspicious about" provides a nuanced way to express reservations or concerns. Remember to clearly state the object of suspicion to avoid ambiguity and consider more direct alternatives like "be skeptical of" or "doubt" for conciseness, depending on the desired tone and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel wary of

Focuses on a sense of caution and potential danger.

feel dubious about

Emphasizes doubt or uncertainty about the truth or quality of something.

feel skeptical of

Highlights a questioning attitude and a lack of belief.

have reservations about

Indicates a holding back of complete agreement or acceptance.

distrust

A more direct and stronger expression of lack of trust.

be leery of

Suggests caution due to previous negative experiences or perceived risk.

question the validity of

Focuses on doubting the accuracy or truthfulness of something.

doubt the sincerity of

Specifies the mistrust towards someone's genuineness or honesty.

lack confidence in

Highlights a deficiency in belief or assurance regarding someone or something.

be apprehensive about

Emphasizes anxiety or fear about something that might happen.

FAQs

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

You can use "feel suspicious about" to express your doubts or mistrust towards something. For example: "I feel suspicious about his alibi" or "She started to feel suspicious about his late-night phone calls".

What are some alternatives to "feel suspicious about"?

You can use alternatives like "feel wary of", "feel dubious about", or "be skeptical of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "I feel suspicious about" or "I am suspicious of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. However, "I am suspicious of" is often more concise and direct, while "I feel suspicious about" may emphasize the emotional aspect of your suspicion.

When is it appropriate to use "feel suspicious about" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "feel suspicious about" when you want to express a subjective sense of mistrust or unease. However, in formal writing, consider using more objective alternatives like "doubt" or "question" if the context requires it.