have reason to suspect

USAGE SUMMARY

"have reason to suspect" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you have enough evidence to form a reasonable suspicion that something is true. For example: "We have reason to suspect that someone on our team has been leaking confidential information to the press."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

I have reason to suspect I am now facing more of the same.

The Guardian

Applicants should plan ahead, especially if they have reason to suspect that delivery of their materials might take more than two weeks, even with a timely postmark.

Yale University

Officers can stop someone when they have reason to suspect that a crime has taken place or is about to take place.

The New York Times

The Arizona law merely makes that inquiry mandatory if the police have reason to suspect a person is an illegal immigrant.

The New York Times

During the past 12 months, 51.3% of those surveyed did not have reason to suspect any patients were exposed to abuse or neglect, although 60.5% admitted little or no contact with the elderly.

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics

The court will decide whether journalists may be sued under the federal wiretap law for disclosing the contents of communications they have reason to suspect were illegally intercepted.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

However, we have reasons to suspect that 2R-WGD's effect on positive selection could be underestimated.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Authorities said they had reason to suspect the militants.

The New York Times

No one had reason to suspect that there would be a thirty-fifth in Melbourne.

The New Yorker

But two New York City police officers had reason to suspect he was homeless.

The New York Times

Ames had reason to suspect Elder, who had once eaten four boxes of Raisinets in one sitting.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have reason to suspect", ensure you can articulate the specific reasons behind your suspicion. Vague or unsubstantiated suspicions can undermine your credibility.

Common error

Avoid presenting a suspicion as a confirmed fact. Use qualifiers like "allegedly" or "reportedly" to maintain accuracy and avoid potential misrepresentation when you "have reason to suspect" but lack definitive proof.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have reason to suspect" functions as a verb phrase that expresses a state of suspicion based on available information. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature. It indicates that there are specific grounds or justifications leading one to believe something might be the case, without necessarily having definitive proof.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

19%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have reason to suspect" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to express a state of informed suspicion. Ludwig AI validates its usage. Its frequency across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian highlights its widespread acceptance. When you "have reason to suspect", you possess specific information that warrants suspicion, though not necessarily proof. To avoid misrepresentation, be mindful of presenting suspicion as fact. Alternatives like "have grounds for suspicion" or "have cause to believe" offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have grounds for suspicion

Replaces "reason to suspect" with a more formal phrase using "grounds", indicating a legitimate basis for suspicion.

have cause to believe

Substitutes "suspect" with "believe", softening the implication while maintaining the presence of justification.

have reason to believe

Replaces "suspect" with "believe", indicating a more general sense of conviction based on available information.

have reason to think

Similar to "have reason to believe", but with a slightly less formal tone.

have indications of

Focuses on the presence of signs or evidence that suggest something might be the case.

be suspicious of

Shifts the focus to the feeling of suspicion, rather than the reasoning behind it.

have a hunch about

Introduces a more informal tone, suggesting an intuitive feeling rather than concrete evidence.

have a sneaking suspicion

Similar to "have a hunch", but emphasizes the secretive or hidden nature of the suspicion.

be inclined to think

Suggests a tendency to believe something based on limited information or personal judgment.

harbor suspicions about

Emphasizes the persistent and possibly concealed nature of the suspicions.

FAQs

How can I use "have reason to suspect" in a sentence?

You can use "have reason to suspect" to express that you possess specific information or evidence that leads you to believe something might be true. For example, "We "have reason to suspect" foul play in this case".

What are some alternatives to "have reason to suspect"?

Alternatives include "have grounds for suspicion", "have cause to believe", or "be suspicious of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "have reason to suspect" or "have reasons to suspect"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "have reason to suspect" is more common. "Have reasons to suspect" implies that there are multiple distinct reasons, while "have reason to suspect" can refer to a single, overarching reason or a combination of factors.

What's the difference between "have reason to suspect" and "have a hunch about"?

"Have reason to suspect" implies a logical basis for your suspicion, based on evidence or information. "Have a hunch about" is more intuitive and based on a feeling or instinct, without necessarily having concrete evidence.