gets suspicious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gets suspicious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who begins to doubt or question the intentions or actions of another person. Example: "When he noticed the unusual behavior of his colleague, he gets suspicious and starts to investigate further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But when no more letters are received, Alfie gets suspicious.

The Guardian

Besides, she gets suspicious when a host keeps the Evite invitation list private.

The New York Times

When fiancée No. 3 gets suspicious, he tells her that fiancée No. 1 (which is Sandra) is merely an ex-girlfriend too crazy to accept their breakup and obsessed with calling him.

The New York Times - Books

As the debacle unfolds, and the groom's father gets suspicious, Harry's grandmother beats her new in-law to the punch: "You can get the hell out of here and take your whore of a wife with you.

The New York Times - Books

When pushed further our guide gets suspicious, wonders why we are asking so many questions, and clams up.

BBC

When she gets suspicious about goings on at Oscorp, she investigates it herself and figures things out.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

A clerk got suspicious.

The New York Times

We get suspicious.

The New York Times

"You get suspicious.

The Guardian - Film

Others see something ambiguous and get suspicious.

The New Yorker

My landlords had been getting suspicious anyway.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gets suspicious" to describe a gradual increase in doubt or mistrust. It's suitable for describing a character's internal state or a developing situation.

Common error

While acceptable, "gets suspicious" can sound informal in professional or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "becomes doubtful" or "grows wary" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gets suspicious" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a state of doubt or mistrust. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically sound way to describe someone's increasing wariness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

42%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gets suspicious" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase that signifies the beginning of a state of doubt or mistrust. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in English writing. While its frequency is only 'Uncommon', it finds common application in News & Media and Wiki contexts. For more formal settings, alternatives such as "becomes doubtful" or "grows wary" may be more suitable. When writing, remember that "gets suspicious" describes a gradual process, not an immediate feeling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starts suspecting

This alternative emphasizes the beginning of the act of suspecting someone or something.

starts to mistrust

This alternative highlights the beginning of a lack of trust.

begins to doubt

This alternative indicates the initial feeling of uncertainty or disbelief.

becomes doubtful

This alternative focuses on the increasing feeling of doubt, rather than the action of suspecting.

becomes skeptical

This indicates a state of questioning or doubting accepted opinions.

grows wary

This suggests a gradual increase in caution and distrust.

questions the motives

This focuses specifically on doubting the reasons behind someone's actions.

senses something amiss

This alternative indicates a feeling that something is not right or out of place.

smells a rat

This is an idiomatic expression meaning to suspect something is wrong.

takes a dim view

This alternative indicates a negative perspective or assessment.

FAQs

How can I use "gets suspicious" in a sentence?

You can use "gets suspicious" to describe when someone begins to distrust or question something. For example: "He "gets suspicious" when people avoid direct answers."

What can I say instead of "gets suspicious"?

You can use alternatives like "starts suspecting", "becomes doubtful", or "grows wary" depending on the specific context.

Is it more correct to say "gets suspicious" or "becomes suspicious"?

Both ""gets suspicious"" and "becomes suspicious" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference or the desired tone.

What's the difference between "gets suspicious" and "feels suspicious"?

"Gets suspicious" indicates a process of becoming suspicious, suggesting a gradual development of doubt. "Feels suspicious" implies an immediate, intuitive feeling of doubt or distrust.