have doubts about

USAGE SUMMARY

"have doubts about" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing uncertainty or skepticism about something. For example: "I have doubts about his honesty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And some liberals have doubts about her.

The Economist

"I have doubts about that.

The New York Times

I don't have doubts about that.

The Guardian - Sport

Other scholars have doubts about the phenomenon.

The New York Times

Some experts have doubts about Livescribe as a silver bullet.

The New York Times - Magazine

The US and Russia also have doubts about public registers.

Independent

Truth be told, we have doubts about Ms. Mixology's surname.

The New York Times

"Also, I have doubts about the source of the data".

The New York Times

Today I have doubts about whether that's accurate.

Independent

Do you ever have doubts about yourself as a pol?

The New Yorker

"The public does have doubts about the strategy," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have doubts about" to express polite skepticism or uncertainty, especially when directly contradicting someone might be impolite. For example, instead of saying "That's wrong", say "I have doubts about that conclusion".

Common error

While "have doubts about" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your prose sound hesitant. Replace it with stronger verbs like "question", "challenge", or "dispute" to convey more authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have doubts about" functions as a verb phrase expressing uncertainty or skepticism regarding a particular subject, idea, or statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have doubts about" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to convey uncertainty or skepticism. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for use in written English and is found predominantly in news and media sources, followed by science. When aiming for formal writing, consider alternatives like "express skepticism regarding" or "question the validity of". The frequency and authoritative sources confirm its widespread acceptance and utility in expressing nuanced opinions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Feel uncertain about

Emphasizes a feeling of uncertainty rather than a concrete doubt.

Find questionable

Expresses that something is dubious or suspicious.

Express skepticism regarding

Highlights the expression of doubt, often in a more formal context.

Lack confidence in

Focuses on a lack of trust or assurance in something or someone.

Question the reliability of

Directly challenges the dependability or trustworthiness of something.

Question the validity of

Focuses on questioning the truth or accuracy of something rather than simply having doubts.

Remain unconvinced of

Implies that one has not been persuaded or convinced of something.

Harbor suspicions about

Suggests a stronger sense of distrust or disbelief.

Am apprehensive about

Indicates anxiety or fear about a potential outcome or situation.

Take with a grain of salt

Suggests not accepting something at face value, implying doubt about its accuracy.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "have doubts about" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "express skepticism regarding", "question the validity of", or "remain unconvinced of".

When is it appropriate to use "have doubts about"?

"Have doubts about" is suitable when expressing polite skepticism or uncertainty without being overly confrontational. It's versatile and works well in both informal and semi-formal contexts.

What's the difference between "have doubts about" and "be certain about"?

"Have doubts about" indicates uncertainty or disbelief, while "be certain about" expresses confidence and conviction. They are antonyms, representing opposite states of mind.

What are some less common synonyms for "have doubts about"?

Less common alternatives include phrases like "harbor suspicions about", "am apprehensive about", or "find questionable", which can add nuance to your expression of doubt.