grains of doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grains of doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a small amount of uncertainty or skepticism about something. Example: "Despite the overwhelming evidence, there were still grains of doubt in her mind about the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The Florida court's decision seemed to throw at least a few grains of doubt into all that planning.

The New York Times

Grains of doubt The independent man ReprintsMr Chafee has boasted that his support for Mr Bush has been "spotty at best".

The Economist

Grains of doubt The independent man Reprints Related items New Orleans: One year onAug 24th 2006Even Kinky Friedman, a singer and entertainer who is running a bizarre independent campaign for governor of Texas, has thrown in his two cents.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

They certainly spoke up for Mr. Rangel, who seemed unburdened, as ever, by a grain of self-doubt.

The New York Times

By writing across the grain of his doubts about what literature can do, how much it can discover or dare pronounce the names of our world's disasters, Bolaño has proven it can do anything, and for an instant, at least, given a name to the unnamable.

The New York Times - Books

No matter how sure we may be about our path, there is always some degree of doubt or insecurity, especially when we find ourselves really going against the grain.

Huffington Post

Doubtless there are grains of truth in such assertions, but I doubt if anyone sitting in the White House today could enjoy greater success.

Huffington Post

A moment of doubt.

The New York Times

Climate of Doubt?

The New York Times - Magazine

Merchants of Doubt.

Los Angeles Times

Without a shadow of doubt.

BMC Nursing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grains of doubt" to express a small degree of uncertainty when analyzing situations or evaluating claims. It suggests a nuanced perspective rather than outright rejection.

Common error

Avoid using "grains of doubt" excessively in highly formal or scientific writing where more precise terminology might be expected. Consider alternatives like "minor uncertainties" or "residual skepticism" for enhanced clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grains of doubt" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It expresses a quantifiable amount of uncertainty or skepticism regarding a particular claim, situation, or belief.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

General

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grains of doubt" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey a small amount of uncertainty or skepticism. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI suggests that, while accurate, it is more suitable for less formal contexts, and one should consider stronger or more precise wording based on the desired effect and writing style. Related phrases include "seeds of uncertainty" and "flecks of skepticism".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeds of uncertainty

Replaces "doubt" with "uncertainty", emphasizing the lack of sureness.

flecks of skepticism

Uses "flecks" to describe small amounts and "skepticism" to highlight disbelief.

tinge of uncertainty

Employs "tinge" to suggest a slight coloring of uncertainty.

hint of skepticism

Indicates a subtle suggestion of disbelief.

shade of doubt

Uses "shade" to imply a subtle presence of doubt.

whisper of uncertainty

Suggests a faint indication of uncertainty.

a touch of skepticism

A more casual way to express a small amount of doubt.

a modicum of doubt

Uses "modicum" to indicate a small quantity of doubt in a more formal style.

traces of uncertainty

Highlights that only slight evidence of uncertainty exists.

elements of disbelief

Substitutes "doubt" with "disbelief", emphasizing a lack of conviction.

FAQs

How can I use "grains of doubt" in a sentence?

You can use "grains of doubt" to express a small amount of uncertainty or skepticism. For example, "Despite the evidence, I still had "grains of doubt" about his intentions".

What are some alternatives to "grains of doubt"?

Alternatives include "seeds of uncertainty", "flecks of skepticism", or "hint of skepticism". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "grains of doubt" in academic writing?

While acceptable, using more formal terms like "minor uncertainties" or "residual skepticism" might be preferable in strict academic contexts for increased precision.

What's the difference between "grains of doubt" and "reasonable doubt"?

"Grains of doubt" indicates a small, lingering uncertainty, while "reasonable doubt" is a legal standard referring to a level of uncertainty that prevents a conviction. They describe different degrees of uncertainty.