he suspected that

USAGE SUMMARY

'he suspected that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase in any written context when you want to express that someone was suspicious or had doubts about something. For example, "He suspected that his partner was lying to him, so he decided to investigate further".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

But he said he suspected that was unlikely.

The New York Times

He suspected that this was a ruse.

The New Yorker

He suspected that Renker's wife did all their grocery shopping.

The New Yorker

He suspected that one of the interns was a fed.

The New York Times

Then he suspected that he might need new glasses.

The New Yorker

He suspected that other perpetrators remained at large in Libya.

The New Yorker

Even so, he suspected that he was being misled.

The New Yorker

But he suspected that the fee would not be waived.

The New Yorker

But he suspected that Finch was doing a political favor.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Little did he suspect that was going to be it.

The New York Times - Sports

But he suspects that's it; he's finished with movies.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he suspected that", ensure the sentence clearly indicates who 'he' refers to, avoiding ambiguity. Maintaining a consistent point of view will improve readability.

Common error

Avoid using "he suspected that" in contexts where the referent of "he" is ambiguous. Always ensure that the subject is clearly established to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he suspected that" functions as a clause introducer, linking a subject's (he) internal state of suspicion to a subordinate clause expressing the content of that suspicion. Ludwig's examples illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he suspected that" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express a tentative belief or suspicion. As Ludwig confirms, its usage is prevalent across various contexts, especially in news and media. The phrase's neutrality makes it suitable for a wide array of writing styles, though careful attention should be paid to ensuring clear pronoun references to avoid ambiguity. When aiming for a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "he surmised that" or "he inferred that". The available examples through Ludwig illuminate the phrase's versatility and proper application in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he had a suspicion that

Rephrases the idea with a focus on possessing a feeling of suspicion.

he had a feeling that

Uses "feeling" as a less concrete form of suspicion, implying intuition.

he believed that possibly

Adds "possibly" to soften the belief and introduce uncertainty.

he entertained the idea that

Highlights the consideration of an idea without firm conviction.

he was inclined to think that

Emphasizes a leaning towards a certain thought or conclusion.

he had reason to believe that

Highlights the presence of some evidence or rationale.

he surmised that

Implies an educated guess based on limited information.

he inferred that

Suggests a logical deduction from available information.

he gathered that

Focuses on collecting bits of information to form a conclusion.

he conjectured that

Emphasizes speculation or guesswork.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "he suspected that"?

You could use phrases like "he surmised that" or "he inferred that", which suggest a more reasoned deduction than a mere suspicion.

How can I rephrase "he suspected that" to sound less accusatory?

Instead of "he suspected that", try "he had a feeling that" or "he believed that possibly". These options soften the tone and imply intuition rather than direct accusation.

Is it always necessary to follow "he suspected" with "that"?

While not strictly required, including "that" after "he suspected" typically improves clarity and grammatical flow, especially in formal writing.

What are some alternatives to "suspected" that imply a stronger belief?

If you want to convey a stronger belief, consider using phrases like "he was convinced that" or "he firmly believed that" instead of "he suspected that".