gathering doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gathering doubt" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be interpreted as accumulating uncertainty or skepticism about something, but it lacks clarity and is not a standard expression. Example: "As the project progressed, there was a gathering doubt among the team about the feasibility of the timeline."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Graham's gathering doubt was tormenting him.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Instead, the repeated false starts of the last year have left the country vulnerable to a continued cycle of slow growth and gathering doubts, economists and executives say.

The New York Times

The early 21st century has been a period of gathering American doubt.

The New York Times

The three often dined and conversed, and such gatherings no doubt did much to shape the man that Jefferson would become.

SEP

They had been scared off by unrest and uncertainty, and the gathering cloud of doubt as to whether Greece would somehow derail economically and go the way of Egypt, another tourism mecca turned sour by revolution.

Huffington Post

The poetry gathering will no doubt survive if the final budget cuts end a subsidy for the center, as most of the revenues come from ticket sales.

The New York Times

In the next weeks and months, extant methods of intelligence gathering will no doubt be intensified and perhaps improved, yet, in reality, the change will be quantitative rather than qualitative.

Huffington Post

Gaps in data gathering have cast doubts on the credibility of the UN's figures in eradicating hunger and poverty, some experts say.

The Guardian

Their shock at hearing the crimes of the leadership thus publicly exposed engendered a mood of doubt and gathering disbelief that ultimately tore down the whole structure of Lenin's imposed ideology.

Encyclopedia Britannica

No doubt the gathering tomorrow in Kinshasa of the 56 French-speaking countries will feel slightly less crowded and the summit's secretaries will be able to subtract Gabon's 1.5 million inhabitants from the 220m strong Francophone world.

The Guardian - Opinion

With her parents watching and a good percentage of the gathering on Arthur Ashe Court no doubt hoping victory would be a balm to the spiritual wounds she suffered when Rory McIlroy ended her first love affair, the 24-year-old Dane seemed weighed down by sentiment and expectation.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger, more common alternatives like "growing uncertainty" or "increasing skepticism" to ensure clarity and impact. Although grammatically sound, "gathering doubt" might not resonate with all readers.

Common error

Avoid using "gathering doubt" in contexts that require precise language. Its somewhat figurative nature can make your writing sound less direct and professional. Prefer a more straightforward expression of uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gathering doubt" functions as a noun phrase, describing an accumulating sense of uncertainty or skepticism. While grammatically sound, Ludwig indicates that this phrase is not as commonly used as its alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "gathering doubt" is grammatically correct, it is a relatively uncommon expression for describing increasing uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig suggests that more common alternatives such as "growing uncertainty" or "increasing skepticism" might be preferable for clarity and impact. Usage is distributed across news, encyclopedias and scientific sources, however avoid overusing this figurative language in formal contexts, where a more direct expression of uncertainty is preferred. Consider stronger, more common alternatives to ensure clarity and impact. Although grammatically sound, "gathering doubt" might not resonate with all readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

growing uncertainty

Emphasizes the gradual increase of uncertainty without necessarily implying negativity.

increasing skepticism

Focuses specifically on the rise in disbelief or questioning.

mounting apprehension

Highlights the escalating feeling of anxiety or unease.

rising concern

Indicates a growing level of worry or unease about a situation.

accumulating reservations

Suggests a gradual build-up of hesitations or objections.

intensifying misgivings

Implies a strengthening sense of doubt or unease about a course of action.

emerging questions

Focuses on the appearance and proliferation of unanswered questions.

developing qualms

Suggests the gradual development of feelings of unease or hesitation.

swelling distrust

Emphasizes the increasing lack of faith or confidence in something or someone.

brewing uncertainty

Implies that uncertainty is subtly developing over time.

FAQs

What does "gathering doubt" mean?

The phrase "gathering doubt" refers to a gradual increase in uncertainty or skepticism about something. However, it's not a very common phrase; alternatives like "growing uncertainty" or "increasing skepticism" are more frequently used.

What are some alternatives to "gathering doubt"?

Instead of "gathering doubt", you can use phrases like "growing uncertainty", "increasing skepticism", or "mounting apprehension", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "gathering doubt" grammatically correct?

Yes, "gathering doubt" is grammatically correct, but it's not as common or idiomatic as other phrases expressing a similar meaning. It may sound slightly unusual to some readers.

When is it appropriate to use "gathering doubt"?

While grammatically sound, consider using "gathering doubt" when you aim for a slightly more literary or evocative tone. In most professional or academic contexts, "growing uncertainty" or "increasing skepticism" might be more suitable.