harbor doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

"harbor doubt" is a valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to express a feeling of doubt, uncertainty, or suspicion. For example, "I found myself harboring doubt about the reliability of the witness's testimony."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As September's parliamentary elections suggested, many Afghans are so disillusioned with the government that they harbor doubt that even the idea of a government — any government — is worth supporting.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Still, I used to harbor doubts about "2001".

The New York Times

Women may harbor doubts about his character's character.

The New York Times

But he also said people did harbor doubts about Mr. Scarcella.

The New York Times

Those pathways exist because millions of voters still harbor doubts about Mitt Romney.

The New York Times

Even so, at least a few senior Afghan officials harbor doubts about his well-being.

The New Yorker

Polls show that New Jersey voters, while favoring Mr. Torricelli over his Republican challengers, still harbor doubts about his truthfulness.

The New York Times

All-wheel drive, paired only with the automatic, is available for those who harbor doubts about rear-drive in winter.

The New York Times

Despite the solid numbers, some economists still harbor doubts about how much longer Japan's growth spurt will last.

The New York Times

While the Europeans harbor doubts about the American missile defense scheme, they are unlikely to rally around the Russian plan.

The New York Times

Russians view Mr. Putin as their paramount leader, and polls indicate that they harbor doubts about whether Mr. Medvedev wields real authority.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "harbor doubt" to express a lingering feeling of uncertainty or skepticism, especially when the doubt is not openly expressed or acted upon.

Common error

Avoid using "harbor doubt" for fleeting or insignificant doubts. The verb "harbor" suggests a more persistent and deeply felt sense of uncertainty. For minor doubts, consider using phrases like "have a slight concern" or "wonder about".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harbor doubt" functions as a verb phrase, where "harbor" acts as a transitive verb taking "doubt" as its object. It describes the act of holding or maintaining a feeling of uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its analysis of various examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "harbor doubt" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon way to express a feeling of uncertainty or skepticism. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively communicates a state of privately holding onto reservations. While the phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, its usage is generally considered neutral in register. When writing, it's important to remember that "harbor" suggests a deeper and more persistent feeling than simply "having doubts". Consider alternatives like "entertain reservations" or "hold misgivings" to fine-tune the intended meaning. By understanding the nuances of "harbor doubt", writers can more effectively convey subtle shades of uncertainty in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be skeptical of

Emphasizes a general tendency to doubt or disbelieve.

hold misgivings

Highlights a feeling of unease or apprehension about something.

remain unconvinced

Indicates a lack of persuasion or belief.

view with uncertainty

Expresses a lack of confidence or assurance.

entertain reservations

Focuses on the act of considering or holding back complete acceptance.

question the validity

Directly challenges the truth or accuracy of something.

possess uncertainties

Emphasizes the existence of doubts within oneself.

nurture skepticism

Implies a more active and deliberate cultivation of doubt.

have suspicions

Highlights a belief or feeling that someone is guilty of an illegal or immoral act.

feel apprehensive

Focuses on the anxious or fearful anticipation of something.

FAQs

How can I use "harbor doubt" in a sentence?

You can use "harbor doubt" to express a feeling of uncertainty or suspicion about something. For instance, "Despite the evidence, I still "harbor doubt" about his innocence".

What are some alternatives to "harbor doubt"?

Alternatives to "harbor doubt" include "hold misgivings", "entertain reservations", or "remain unconvinced", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "harbor doubt" or "have doubts"?

"Harbor doubt" tends to be slightly more formal than "have doubts". "Have doubts" is a more common and general expression, while "harbor doubt" suggests a more profound or lingering sense of uncertainty.

What's the difference between "harbor doubt" and "express doubt"?

"Harbor doubt" implies holding onto or privately experiencing doubt, whereas "express doubt" means to openly voice or show your uncertainty. They differ in whether the doubt is kept internal or made external.