grounds for doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grounds for doubt" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means the evidence or reasons that support a feeling of uncertainty or disbelief. Example: The inconsistencies in his story were grounds for doubt, leading the jury to question his innocence.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

There are grounds for doubt.

The Washington Post

Correspondence between London and Edinburgh offered further grounds for doubt.

The Economist

In addition there are grounds for doubt whether the required jump in investment will be forthcoming, and for worry by how much it would deteriorate South Africa's current account deficit.

Harvard University

Evolution as a principle is not disputed in the scientific mainstream, where the term "theory" does not mean a hunch, but an explanation backed by abundant observation, and where gaps in knowledge are not seen as grounds for doubt but points for future understanding.

The New York Times

But here too there are grounds for doubt (Prinz, 2006).

SEP

In other words, every contrary is a potential genuine grounds for doubt but not every genuine grounds for doubt is a defeater.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

If (E) implied something that seems absurd, that would be grounds for doubting (E).

Yale University

In the second case, there were solid grounds for doubting Aldo's accuracy.

The New York Times

But I believe that there are many strong grounds for doubting that claim.

Independent

The educator tries to present various sides of an issue the grounds for doubting as well as the grounds for believing the statements he makes, and the disadvantages as well as the advantages of every conceivable course of action.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And they decided they were too busy for a bipartisan meeting with the White House this week.High minds and low politicsThere are grounds for doubting whether any compromise is possible given the ever-widening ideological distance between the parties.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grounds for doubt", ensure that you clearly articulate the specific reasons or evidence that justify the uncertainty, providing context for your audience.

Common error

Avoid presenting "grounds for doubt" without providing supporting evidence or specific reasons. Simply stating that there are "grounds for doubt" without elaboration can weaken your argument and leave the audience unconvinced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grounds for doubt" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the reasons or evidence that lead to uncertainty or disbelief.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "grounds for doubt" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that expresses reasons for uncertainty or disbelief. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in written English. Predominantly found in academic, news, and scientific contexts, this phrase emphasizes the evidence leading to skepticism. When using "grounds for doubt", it's best to provide specific reasons to support your assertion and avoid overstating the doubt without concrete evidence. Related phrases include "reasons to question" and "cause for skepticism", offering alternative ways to express similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basis for uncertainty

Highlights the uncertainty arising from the grounds.

cause for skepticism

Emphasizes skepticism as the primary response.

evidence of uncertainty

Highlights that the evidence leads to uncertainty.

reasons to question

Focuses on questioning rather than outright doubt.

justification for disbelief

Formal and strong expression of disbelief.

reason for mistrust

Shifts the focus to mistrust or lack of trust.

seeds of suspicion

Suggests the beginning of suspicion or doubt.

indications of fallacy

Focuses on identifying fallacies or errors.

motivation for wariness

Highlights the motivation for being wary or cautious.

source of apprehension

Emphasizes apprehension or worry as a result.

FAQs

How can I use "grounds for doubt" in a sentence?

You can use "grounds for doubt" to express that there are reasons to be uncertain about something. For example, "The inconsistencies in his alibi provided significant grounds for doubt."

What's a more formal way to say "grounds for doubt"?

A more formal alternative is "basis for uncertainty" or "justification for disbelief", depending on the specific context and level of formality you need.

Which is correct: "grounds for doubt" or "reasons for doubt"?

Both "grounds for doubt" and "reasons for doubt" are correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "grounds for doubt" and "grounds for suspicion"?

"Grounds for doubt" generally implies uncertainty or disbelief, while "grounds for suspicion" suggests a stronger feeling of mistrust or belief that something is wrong or dishonest.