general doubts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "general doubts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to uncertainties or questions that are broad or not specific to a particular topic. Example: "If you have any general doubts about the project, please feel free to reach out to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

His own attorney general doubts the "moral authority" of his negotiating after his resignation.

The New York Times

One of Mr Kerry's new slogans—"Let America be America again"—taps into the idea that America cannot win the war on terrorism if it loses its values in the process.The Kerry campaign is skilfully using doubts about Iraq to reinforce more general doubts about Mr Bush's personal values, particularly about his honesty.

The Economist

This inquiry from Mr Kennedy had nothing to do with the narrow legal question of the day, but it betrayed his more general doubts about the way the Sunshine State puts people to death.Antonin Scalia, a conservative justice, was more hostile to Mr Hall's defence.

The Economist

Yet, as Descartes notes, these cases are too easily avoided to raise general doubts about the reliability of sensory perception.

SEP

We conclude that, even apart from general doubts about a probabilistic account of causation, the resort to a probabilistic conception of time machines is a desperate stretch, at least in the context of classical general relativity theory.

SEP

Apart from general doubts and fears, factors such as perception of faecal occult blood testing (FOBT) as unpleasant and colonoscopy as painful may have contributed to the lack of uptake.

BMC Gastroenterology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

In general, doubt is cast upon the social role and influential capacity of the disciplines of spatial organisation and transformation.

City, Territory and Architecture

Even so, I regularly speak in terms of the evil genius (following Descartes' lead), as a kind of mnemonic for the more general doubt about our cognitive nature.

SEP

Usually when asked about my mask the reactions vary from shock at how expensive the mask was and general doubt about its effectiveness.

Huffington Post

With the legislature's vote to end the death penalty, the Maryland attorney general doubted the state had the legal authority to kill even those who had been sentenced to death before the law change.

Los Angeles Times

Whether this is related to the formulation of the questions or a general doubt regarding these routines is difficult to know.

BMC Nursing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "general doubts" when discussing uncertainties that are not specifically defined or targeted but rather are broad in scope. For specific doubts, consider using "specific concerns" or "particular reservations".

Common error

Avoid using "general doubts" when you actually refer to a specific uncertainty. Using the word "general" can make your concern seem less concrete, so reserve it for truly broad and undefined uncertainties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general doubts" functions as a noun phrase, where "general" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "doubts". It typically serves as the subject or object of a verb, expressing a state of uncertainty or skepticism, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Formal & Business

11%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "general doubts" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase referring to broad uncertainties or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, noting its presence in diverse sources such as News & Media and Scientific publications. Though not exceptionally frequent, the phrase is appropriate for expressing non-specific concerns, as long as the context is clear. When writing, ensure you aren't mistakenly implying a broader uncertainty than intended, and consider alternatives like "overall concerns" or "widespread skepticism" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overall concerns

Focuses on expressing overall apprehensions rather than specific uncertainties.

widespread skepticism

Highlights a broader, more pervasive doubt among a larger group.

overall skepticism

Emphasizes disbelief in a wider context rather than specific doubts.

common questions

Emphasizes inquiries that are frequently raised, suggesting shared uncertainties.

prevailing uncertainties

Focuses on the dominance of uncertainties in a particular context.

broad reservations

Highlights the existence of extensive hesitations about something.

universal uncertainty

Highlights the uncertainty that affects almost everyone or everything.

public misgivings

Focuses on doubts held by the general public, often about a policy or decision.

shared anxieties

Highlights the anxiety shared by a group of people, moving away from pure doubt.

fundamental questions

Highlights the basic nature of the doubts rather than their generality.

FAQs

How can I replace "general doubts" in a sentence?

Alternatives include "overall concerns", "widespread skepticism", or "common questions", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What does "general doubts" mean?

The phrase "general doubts" refers to uncertainties or skepticism that are broad in scope and not specific to a particular detail or aspect. It suggests a widespread lack of confidence or certainty about something.

Is it better to say "general doubts" or "specific doubts"?

It depends on the context. Use "general doubts" when the uncertainties are broad and not focused on particular points. Use "specific doubts" when you have distinct, well-defined areas of uncertainty or concern.

How do I express the object of "general doubts"?

You can follow "general doubts" with "about" or "regarding", such as "general doubts about the project" or "general doubts regarding the new policy".