has been in doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been in doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been uncertain or questioned over a period of time. Example: "The validity of the research findings has been in doubt since the initial publication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Clemens's status has been in doubt since he left Game 1 after two innings with a strained left hamstring.

The New York Times

Their survival has been in doubt before.

The Economist

That has been in doubt during Sajid Javid's short tenure.

The Guardian - Business

Nonetheless, his commitment to fixing California's daunting public-pension problem has been in doubt.

The Economist

His future has been in doubt amid speculation that Mr. Trump might send him to Afghanistan.

The New York Times

In the shifting Ugandan political scene his own position has been in doubt recently.

The Guardian

The loyalty of the police has been in doubt since a nationwide mutiny in February.

The New York Times

The loyalty of troops garrisoned in Osh and police forces in the south has been in doubt since the uprising.

The New York Times

Supporters of the lieutenant governor argue that such criticism ignores the measures he has effectively steered through the Senate when drawing enough support has been in doubt.

The New York Times

His re-election plan has been in doubt since a clumsy attempt to sack Pakistan's chief justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry, in March.

The Economist

Ponting's participation has been in doubt since he broke the little finger on his left hand in a catch attempt during the third test in Perth.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been in doubt" when you want to express that something's certainty or validity has been questioned or uncertain over a period.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "has been in doubt". Consider using active voice alternatives (e.g., "people have questioned") for more direct and engaging writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been in doubt" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of uncertainty or question regarding something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been in doubt" effectively communicates that something is uncertain or questionable. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in English. It appears most frequently in news and media, and is also used in science and encyclopedias. While grammatically sound, writers should be mindful of overusing passive voice constructions. Related phrases include "has been questioned" or "is subject to doubt".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been uncertain

Replaces "doubt" with "uncertain", maintaining a similar level of formality.

is subject to doubt

Similar to the original, but with a slightly more formal tone.

has been questioned

Focuses on the act of questioning rather than the state of doubt.

is far from certain

Highlights the low probability of something being true or happening.

has been under scrutiny

Implies a more critical examination and potential disapproval.

is not assured

Implies a lack of guarantee or promise.

is open to question

Presents the matter as not yet settled or decided.

is in dispute

Suggests an active disagreement or controversy.

is debatable

Highlights the possibility of different opinions or arguments.

remains unresolved

Emphasizes the lack of a definitive answer or solution.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "has been in doubt" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "has been questioned", "is subject to doubt", or "remains unresolved" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "has been in doubt" and "has been questioned"?

"Has been in doubt" implies a state of uncertainty, while "has been questioned" suggests an active process of questioning or challenging something. The former is more passive, while the latter is more active.

When is it appropriate to use "has been in doubt"?

Use "has been in doubt" when you want to indicate that the validity, certainty, or reliability of something has been uncertain or challenged over a period of time. It is suitable for various contexts, including news reports, academic writing, and general discussions.

What are some less formal alternatives to "has been in doubt"?

Less formal alternatives include phrases like "is up in the air", "is uncertain", or "is iffy". Choose the alternative that best fits the tone and context of your writing.