got doubtful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got doubtful" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward to native speakers.
It could be used informally to express a change in feeling or belief, but it is better to use more conventional expressions. Example: "After hearing the news, I got doubtful about the project's success."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

After it was off on the wires he got doubtful.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Bill Clinton's appearance on the hustings will speed that process up (he is wildly popular among African-Americans), but whether Mr Kerry can produce the same high turnout that Mr Gore got seems doubtful.

The Economist

"That gets pretty doubtful at this point," he said.

The Washington Post

If Obama gets immigration reform (doubtful, with House intransigence), he will have a terrific legacy, along with health care and saving the American economy from a recession that still cuts deep in Europe.

The New York Times

Will the nerves be getting to Konta, doubtful given the way she handled yesterday's last-16 match.

BBC

It is doubtful that bettors got rich -- the colt paid a mere $3.30 for a $2 bet to win as the prohibitive favorite.

The New York Times - Sports

"Thursday might be a little doubtful just because he's got to go play a game, or two," Girardi said.

The New York Times

When she arrived at the site, she waved away doubtful glances from male rescuers and got straight to work.

Independent

I'd be doubtful if anything happens but I've got to keep looking".

BBC

I am slightly doubtful as to where Cooper's anonymous police officer got his "exponential" increase from.

BBC

"The longer it goes on, the more doubtful it gets that it's going to happen.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clearer and more formal writing, replace "got doubtful" with alternatives like "became doubtful" or "started to doubt" to ensure better reception among a wider audience. Using more standard expressions enhances clarity and avoids potential ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "got doubtful" in academic papers or professional reports. This phrase is informal and may undermine the credibility of your writing. Opt for stronger, more precise vocabulary to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got doubtful" functions as a predicate adjective describing a state of becoming doubtful. While semantically clear, it's a less formal way to express uncertainty, as noted by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "got doubtful" is used to indicate a shift towards uncertainty or skepticism. While understandable, it is not considered standard English and is more suited for informal contexts. According to Ludwig, alternatives such as "became doubtful" or "started to doubt" are preferable in formal writing. The phrase appears in various categories, including News & Media and Science, suggesting its usage is relatively broad but not necessarily authoritative. Due to its non-standard nature, it's advisable to opt for stronger and more precise vocabulary to maintain professionalism and clarity in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became doubtful

Uses "became" to indicate a change in state to feeling doubtful.

grew doubtful

Similar to "became doubtful", indicating a gradual increase in doubt.

started to doubt

Emphasizes the beginning of the process of doubting.

began to feel doubtful

More emphatic, highlighting the feeling of doubt.

turned skeptical

Implies a shift towards a more questioning or disbelieving attitude.

became uncertain

Focuses on the uncertainty rather than the doubt itself.

started questioning

Highlights the act of questioning something's validity.

felt dubious

Uses a more formal adjective to describe the feeling of doubt.

had doubts

A more common way of expressing the existence of doubts.

was skeptical

States a general state of skepticism.

FAQs

What does "got doubtful" mean?

The phrase "got doubtful" means to begin experiencing doubt or uncertainty about something. It indicates a shift from a state of certainty to one of questioning or disbelief.

Is it grammatically correct to say "got doubtful"?

While understandable, "got doubtful" is not considered standard English. It's more common and grammatically sound to use phrases like "became doubtful" or "started to doubt".

What are some alternatives to "got doubtful"?

Alternatives include "became skeptical", "started questioning", or "felt dubious". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

When should I avoid using "got doubtful"?

Avoid using "got doubtful" in formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports. In these contexts, more precise and standard language will enhance your credibility. Instead, use "became uncertain" or other similar phrases.