foster doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foster doubt" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to encourage or promote doubt or uncertainty in someone's mind. Example: The politician's vague answers only fostered doubt among the audience about his honesty and intentions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

By helping to foster doubt about mainstream climate science, the organizations helped put the nail in the coffin of U.S. climate legislation in 2010 and reduce public confidence in climate scientists.

The Guardian

The BBC's Paul Adams in Amman says talk of an exchange appears to have been an IS tactic to string Jordan along and foster doubt among Jordanians over its role in the US-led coalition.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Confusion, in turn, fosters doubt.

The Guardian

The attacks have had an impact, and fostered doubt among some Malaysians about Anwar's ability to govern.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Klinghoffer" is as much an orchestral drama as a vocal one: the instruments are always brooding behind the voices, fostering doubt.

The New Yorker

Rather than reducing doubt, checking fosters doubt and ironically increases meta-memory problems.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

News of the investigation comes on the heels of two reports on Exxon's scientific activities, revealing that while the company conducted early research on the effects of climate change, it fostered doubt about the link between human activities — primarily the burning of fossil fuels — and rising global temperatures.

Vice

But at the same time, I was somewhat saddened that after close to 15 years of service to the wider American community, particularly in the wider D.C. metropolitan area, the forum had people that had known us and our mission well or had come into contact with us through various programs still fostered doubt.

Huffington Post

Foster foster foster!

Vice

Mr. Erdogan's Islamist roots had fostered doubts about his desire for European Union membership and fidelity to the United States.

The New York Times

A longtime agent who represented several coaches, Anderson said that if the video program existed 20 years ago, black clients like Tony Dungy would have been able to correct misconceptions that had fostered doubts, conscious or not, about their candidacies.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foster doubt", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is causing the doubt and the object or subject of the doubt. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "foster doubt" excessively in situations already rife with emotion or bias. In such cases, it may appear manipulative or as if you're unfairly influencing the reader's perception. Choose more neutral language to maintain objectivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foster doubt" functions as a verb phrase where "foster" acts as a transitive verb requiring an object (doubt). According to Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically sound construction used to describe the act of encouraging or promoting uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foster doubt" is a grammatically correct and valid English phrase that means to encourage or promote uncertainty. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for both formal and informal communication. While "foster doubt" is not as common as other similar phrases, it still appears with some frequency in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. When writing, it is best to clarify the source and target of the doubt. Alternative phrases, such as "instill doubt" or "create uncertainty", offer subtle variations in meaning that may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. Avoid overusing the phrase, especially in emotionally charged situations, to maintain a sense of objectivity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instill doubt

Focuses on the act of implanting doubt, often subtly.

create uncertainty

Emphasizes the generation of a state of uncertainty.

arouse suspicion

Highlights the act of triggering a feeling of distrust.

sow seeds of doubt

Implies a gradual and potentially insidious introduction of doubt.

raise questions

Suggests prompting inquiry, which may lead to doubt.

fuel skepticism

Indicates intensifying existing doubts or disbelief.

promote disbelief

Focuses on advancing a state of non-acceptance or incredulity.

plant seeds of incredulity

The focus is to make someone not accept a specific idea.

propagate uncertainty

Focuses on broadly spreading uncertainty.

stimulate skepticism

Highlights a direct cause of skeptical thinking.

FAQs

How can I use "foster doubt" in a sentence?

You can use "foster doubt" to describe actions that encourage uncertainty, such as "The company's misleading statements fostered doubt among investors".

What are some alternatives to "foster doubt"?

Some alternatives include "instill doubt", "arouse suspicion", or "create uncertainty", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "foster doubt" or "create doubt"?

"Foster doubt" implies nurturing or encouraging existing doubts, while "create doubt" suggests generating doubt where it didn't previously exist. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "foster doubt" and "sow seeds of doubt"?

"Foster doubt" means to encourage doubt. The expression "sow seeds of doubt" means to start doubt slowly over a period of time.