grew doubtful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grew doubtful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual increase in uncertainty or skepticism about something over time. Example: "As the evidence was presented, she grew doubtful of the claims being made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Eventually, though, the Germans grew doubtful of their informer and passed on their suspicions to American intelligence officials.

The New York Times

Mr. Smith accompanied her on her first visit to the obstetrician, where she learned that she was carrying twins, but then he grew doubtful that the babies were his, he said.

The New York Times

In 1996 a Los Angeles newspaper reported that "the air board grew doubtful about the willingness of consumers to accept the cars, which carry steep price tags and have a limited travel range".

The New York Times

John B. Bellinger III, who, as the National Security Council's top lawyer, played a role in discussions when the program was approved in 2002, by the next year had begun to research past ill-fated British and Israeli use of torture and grew doubtful about the wisdom of the techniques.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the Allies grew doubtful, waiting for the Japanese to respond.

Wikipedia

Although I grew doubtful over the years that insurance companies really "added value" to our health care system, I often patted myself on the back for playing a role in getting a denial reversed.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Some federal law enforcement officials said they were growing doubtful that the letter would prove to be contaminated.

The New York Times

Yet Mr. Obama acknowledged in his State of the Union address that voters had grown doubtful about his promise of hope and change.

The New York Times

Two days later, when he lost his lead in Iowa to Ben Carson, he'd grown doubtful: "I honestly think those polls are wrong".

The New Yorker

Chancellor Angela Merkel is under increasing pressure to reduce the numbers of refugees reaching Germany and voters are growing doubtful that the state can tackle the crisis, her key ally and Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said on Monday.

Independent

He also reconnected with the sad and noble heart of the cello repertory, the six solo suites by Bach, which he had stopped performing after growing doubtful about his approach.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grew doubtful" to express a gradual shift from certainty to uncertainty over time, especially when new information or experiences cause a change in perspective. This phrase is useful in narrative writing to show character development or evolving opinions.

Common error

Avoid using "grew doubtful" when describing an immediate or sudden feeling of doubt. This phrase implies a gradual process. For sudden doubts, consider using phrases like "suddenly doubted" or "immediately felt uncertain".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew doubtful" functions as a verb phrase indicating a gradual increase in uncertainty or skepticism. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. It typically modifies a subject, describing their evolving state of mind.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

11%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grew doubtful" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for describing a gradual increase in uncertainty or skepticism. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its function is to depict a shift in belief over time. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various forms of writing. Related phrases include "became skeptical" and "started to doubt", offering similar nuances. Remember to use "grew doubtful" when illustrating a gradual change, not a sudden feeling. While uncommon, it is supported by authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, ensuring reliability in usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became skeptical

Changes the verb from "grew" to "became" and replaces "doubtful" with the more direct "skeptical".

started having doubts

Emphasizes the presence of doubts emerging over time.

started to doubt

Uses "started" to emphasize the beginning of the doubt, instead of the gradual increase implied by "grew".

became uncertain

Focuses on the feeling of uncertainty rather than the act of doubting.

began to question

Shifts from doubt to active questioning, implying a more conscious process.

had second thoughts

Implies a reconsideration and emerging doubt about a previous decision or belief.

developed reservations

Replaces "doubtful" with "reservations", suggesting a more formal and cautious concern.

felt dubious

Uses the adjective "dubious" to describe the feeling, instead of the verb phrase "grew doubtful".

lost confidence in

Indicates a decrease in trust or belief, rather than just uncertainty.

became wary of

Suggests a sense of caution and suspicion, adding an element of distrust.

FAQs

How can I use "grew doubtful" in a sentence?

You can use "grew doubtful" to describe a gradual increase in uncertainty or skepticism. For example: "As the evidence was presented, she "grew doubtful" of the claims being made."

What can I say instead of "grew doubtful"?

You can use alternatives like "became skeptical", "started to doubt", or "began to question" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "grew doubtful" or "grow doubtful"?

"Grew doubtful" is the past tense form, used to describe a past increase in doubt. "Grow doubtful" is the present tense form, used for ongoing or habitual doubting. The choice depends on the intended timeframe.

What's the difference between "grew doubtful" and "became suspicious"?

"Grew doubtful" indicates increasing uncertainty or skepticism, while "became suspicious" suggests a developing distrust or belief that something is wrong or dishonest. Suspicion implies a negative judgment, while doubt may simply be a lack of conviction.