genuine doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "genuine doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing uncertainty or skepticism about a particular issue or situation. Example: "The jury must consider whether there is genuine doubt about the defendant's guilt before reaching a verdict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The voters according to R. & H. are "in deep and genuine doubt and conflict".

The New Yorker

He lodged an objection as there was genuine doubt that he had deliberately dropped the bookmark.

The Guardian - Opinion

The decision was apparently borne out of genuine doubt about whether or not he had an unfair advantage.

The Guardian - Sport

Why? Cast your mind back to last summer when Greece's survival in the eurozone was in genuine doubt.

The Guardian - Business

Unlikely as it now sounds, there was a time, not so long ago, when the future of the British monarchy seemed in genuine doubt.

The Guardian - Opinion

Still, this interpretation would imply that there was some genuine doubt about the outcome — and that it is early enough that the wrong sequence of events could put Mr. Romney in a lot of danger.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Sutherland says he respects Joffe's genuine doubts.

The Guardian

As La Universal, wrote on Sunday, January 18th, "The problem is that the lack of credibility of Mexican institutions has reached such a level that even when attempts at transparency and rigor are genuine, doubts remain".

The New Yorker

But many of the British relatives have genuine doubts about his guilt, or think that others are more guilty or just that the real story of the bombing has yet to be told and that the release deal is a big cover-up.

The New Yorker

Now, with all traces of the Olympics having been removed from Marylebone Cricket Club headquarters ahead of England's third Test against South Africa that starts on Thursday – the rings, the stands on the outfield, the vending machines in the Long Room of the Pavilion – there are genuine doubts over whether cricket's version of Larry Godfrey will ever play at Lord's again.

The Guardian - Sport

He does not appear to be addressing someone who has genuine doubts about the value of justice or kindred qualities.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "genuine doubt" when you want to emphasize the authenticity and sincerity of the doubt, differentiating it from mere skepticism or contrived uncertainty. For more formal contexts, consider "bona fide doubt".

Common error

Avoid overusing "genuine" simply as an intensifier. "Genuine" should specifically modify "doubt" to indicate its realness and sincerity, not just to add emphasis. Saying "a genuine mistake" implies the mistake was unintentional; similarly, "genuine doubt" means the doubt is sincerely felt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "genuine doubt" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "genuine" modifies the noun "doubt". It qualifies the type of doubt being expressed, indicating it is real, sincere, and not feigned. This aligns with the examples from Ludwig AI, which showcases its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "genuine doubt" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey sincere uncertainty or skepticism. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it finds frequent application in News & Media and Science contexts, with neutral register and the purpose of expressing uncertainty. Related phrases include "real uncertainty" and "authentic doubt", offering subtle variations in emphasis. When using "genuine doubt", ensure the doubt is truly authentic and not simply a means of adding emphasis. Based on numerous authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times, this expression conveys an authentic questioning of a claim, situation, or belief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

real uncertainty

Replaces "genuine" with "real", emphasizing the authenticity of the uncertainty.

authentic doubt

Substitutes "genuine" with "authentic", highlighting the unfeigned nature of the doubt.

legitimate doubt

Replaces "genuine" with "legitimate", suggesting the doubt is well-founded or justifiable.

sincere doubt

Emphasizes the honesty and lack of pretense in the doubt.

bona fide doubt

Uses a Latin phrase to underscore the good faith and absence of deceit in the doubt.

veritable uncertainty

Similar to "real uncertainty", but uses "veritable" to intensify the sense of uncertainty.

palpable uncertainty

Indicates the uncertainty is easily perceived or obvious.

considerable doubt

Focuses on the significant amount or degree of doubt.

significant uncertainty

Highlights the importance or magnitude of the uncertainty.

serious reservations

Shifts the focus to underlying hesitations or concerns contributing to the doubt.

FAQs

What is the difference between "genuine doubt" and suspicion?

"Genuine doubt" implies uncertainty based on available information, whereas suspicion involves distrust or belief that something is wrong, often without concrete evidence. Doubt questions the truth; suspicion anticipates deception.

How does context affect the use of "genuine doubt"?

The appropriateness of "genuine doubt" depends on the context. In legal settings, it might refer to reasonable doubt. In personal relationships, it could express sincere questioning. Always consider the audience and purpose when conveying uncertainty.

What are some synonyms for "genuine doubt" that maintain a formal tone?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "legitimate doubt", ""bona fide doubt"", or "substantial doubt" to convey a similar meaning with added gravitas.

Is "honest doubt" interchangeable with "genuine doubt"?

While "honest doubt" and "genuine doubt" are similar, "honest doubt" emphasizes the integrity of the person experiencing the doubt, while "genuine doubt" emphasizes the authenticity of the doubt itself. They can often be used interchangeably, but the nuance matters.