in suspicion

USAGE SUMMARY

"in suspicion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is being done in a state of doubt or distrust. For example, "She glanced at him in suspicion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The relationship was steeped in suspicion.

The New York Times

They frowned in suspicion, or distaste.

The Guardian - Books

Unlike in Suspicion, however, you're permanently hoping he's good.

The Guardian - Film

The baker's eyes narrow in suspicion at the small size of the order.

The New York Times

In 1985, China was held in suspicion by most of the rest of the world.

The Guardian

Ann Powers says that Islam is a faith that "Westerners hold in suspicion".

The New York Times - Arts

It is odd, then, that so many Americans have always held money in suspicion.

The New York Times - Magazine

The whole journey to the interview was steeped in suspicion and menace.

The Guardian - Film

Caesar divorced his wife in suspicion that she had admitted Clodius to the ceremony.

Britannica

That is the immediate result of living in fear, in suspicion of every unfamiliar person.

The Guardian

"We live in suspicion of each other," one Fulani man who lives outside of Jos told me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in suspicion" to describe actions or states of mind characterized by doubt or mistrust. Ensure the context clearly indicates the object or cause of the suspicion.

Common error

Avoid using "in suspicion" when simply seeking information or clarification. Reserve it for scenarios involving doubt or distrust, not mere inquiry.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in suspicion" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate a state of doubt or mistrust. It describes the manner in which an action is performed or the condition under which something is perceived. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in suspicion" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that communicates doubt, mistrust, or skepticism. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for describing actions or states of mind characterized by uncertainty. It is most prevalent in news and media, but it also appears in scientific and encyclopedic contexts. While related phrases like "with suspicion" or "suspiciously" offer similar meanings, they subtly shift the focus or grammatical function. When using "in suspicion", ensure that the context clearly indicates the object or cause of the mistrust to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with suspicion

Changes the preposition, slightly altering the nuance but maintaining the core meaning of distrust.

suspiciously

Transforms the phrase into an adverb, modifying a verb to indicate an action done with suspicion.

distrustfully

Replaces "suspicion" with "distrust", emphasizing a lack of trust.

with a skeptical eye

Uses a more figurative expression to convey doubt and scrutiny.

harboring suspicion

Emphasizes the internal state of holding suspicious feelings.

under a cloud of suspicion

Indicates being affected by suspicion, implying potential blame or doubt from others.

viewed skeptically

Highlights how someone or something is perceived with doubt.

regarded with mistrust

Focuses on the act of regarding something with a lack of trust.

in a state of doubt

Shifts the focus to the state of uncertainty rather than the specific emotion of suspicion.

questioningly

Similar to "suspiciously" but can imply simply asking questions rather than distrusting.

FAQs

How can I use "in suspicion" in a sentence?

You can use "in suspicion" to describe an action performed with doubt, such as "She looked at the contract "in suspicion"." It indicates a state of mistrust or uncertainty.

What phrases are similar to "in suspicion"?

Similar phrases include "with suspicion", "suspiciously", or "distrustfully". These alternatives convey a similar sense of doubt or mistrust.

Is it correct to say "with suspicion" instead of "in suspicion"?

Both "in suspicion" and "with suspicion" are grammatically correct, but they may have slightly different nuances. "In suspicion" often describes a state of mind, while "with suspicion" describes the manner in which something is done.

When should I avoid using the phrase "in suspicion"?

Avoid using "in suspicion" when the context requires a neutral inquiry or simple curiosity without any underlying doubt or mistrust. Use a more neutral phrase if you are not implying any distrust.