generating doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generating doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of creating uncertainty or skepticism about a particular idea, statement, or situation. Example: "The politician's contradictory statements are generating doubt among the voters about his integrity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This is often dismissed by realists as generating doubt about unobservables that is no more worrying than doubting other minds or the external world.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But sponsorships are often more costly and more elaborate than conventional ads, generating doubts among some advertisers as to whether they really want to spend the additional time and money.

The New York Times

This will be difficult to undo, particularly because of the secrecy required for the agency to effectively examine organizations without generating doubts about them, as well as to prevent other organizations from coming up with strategies to evade scrutiny in the future.

The New York Times

Fifteen passes into his first start at quarterback for USC, Mark Sanchez was generating doubts.

Los Angeles Times

This common ground in ageing research has recently been destabilized, generating doubts as to the simple correlation between increased enzyme levels and increased lifespan [40], [41].

Plosone

The present results suggest the possibility of using fractal dimension analysis in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, as exams such as the determination of PSA exhibit a low degree of specificity (25 and 33%), [ 10, 11] generating doubts regarding the actual need for a biopsy.

BMC Clinical Pathology

The technique of undermining democracy abroad is to generate doubt where there had been certainty.

The New York Times

Climate-change contrarians, though they publish very little in the relevant scientific literature, use the Internet to mount persistent attacks on the I.P.C.C. Being a human enterprise, the I.P.C.C. has certainly made mistakes, and these get magnified by people attempting to generate doubt about the overall body of climate science.

The New York Times

Another issue which generated doubt about the early DNA testing was the point heteroplasmy at np 16169 in the mtDNA sequence of the Tsar.

Plosone

The presence of Cx. sitiens in the top left quadrant of Figure 3A indicates that it did not display sufficient within-species variation to generate doubt as to whether it was a single biological entity.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

In effect, the practice of subjecting patients to an added respiratory burden to try to improve the sensitivity and specificity of the tests to judge patient readiness for extubation generates doubt as to whether the added burden itself might have caused extubation failure in some patients who would not have failed otherwise.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts such as theories or hypothesis that have some inconsistencies, "generating doubt" is very fitting as it highlights the inconsistencies found.

Common error

Avoid using "generating doubt" when a stronger term like "proving wrong" or "discrediting" is more appropriate. "Generating doubt" suggests uncertainty, while the stronger terms imply a more definitive refutation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generating doubt" functions as a gerund phrase. It typically acts as a noun, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

55%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "generating doubt" is a grammatically sound and widely used gerund phrase. As Ludwig AI's analysis confirms, it's versatile enough for various contexts, including News & Media and Science. While alternatives like "creating uncertainty" and "instilling skepticism" exist, "generating doubt" specifically highlights the active process of creating uncertainty. When using this phrase, remember to ensure it appropriately reflects the intensity of the situation and avoid using it when stronger terms are more fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creating uncertainty

Emphasizes the lack of sureness or definiteness produced.

prompting skepticism

Highlights the action of causing someone to be skeptical.

sparking uncertainty

Highlights the sudden emergence of doubt.

instilling skepticism

Focuses more on the psychological effect of creating doubt.

sowing seeds of doubt

Emphasizes the subtle and gradual introduction of doubt.

fostering disbelief

Implies a gradual development of doubt.

arousing suspicion

Focuses on creating a feeling of distrust or uncertainty.

raising questions

Highlights the act of prompting inquiry or uncertainty.

breeding mistrust

Suggests a negative environment where doubt flourishes.

casting aspersions

Involves negatively impacting someone's reputation, indirectly creating doubt.

FAQs

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

You can use "generating doubt" to describe something that is causing uncertainty. For example: "The inconsistencies in the witness's testimony were "generating doubt" about the defendant's alibi."

What are some alternatives to "generating doubt"?

Some alternatives include "creating uncertainty", "raising questions", or "instilling skepticism". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "generate doubt" or "generating doubt"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they function differently. "Generate doubt" is an imperative or infinitive form, while "generating doubt" is a gerund phrase acting as a noun. Use "generate doubt" when giving a command or describing a general action, and "generating doubt" when describing an ongoing process or state.

What's the difference between "generating doubt" and "generating suspicion"?

"Generating doubt" implies creating uncertainty or questioning the truth, while "generating suspicion" suggests creating a feeling that something is wrong or dishonest. Suspicion carries a stronger connotation of distrust and potential wrongdoing.