instill uncertainty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instill uncertainty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of causing someone to feel unsure or doubtful about something. Example: "The sudden changes in policy served to instill uncertainty among the employees regarding their job security."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Surgeons may fear the process of randomisation, believing that this process instills doubt and uncertainty in their patient.

Bone and Joint Research

"We need to instill more uncertainty," says Cailleteau, who notes Moody's is mulling changes, such as adding a distribution of possible outcomes along with the letter grade.

Forbes

To justify budget requests, cyber leaders inevitably incorporate headline news that instills fear, uncertainty, and doubt.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

While keeping rates low has undoubtedly helped the U.S. economy recover from the depths of the 2008 recession, this is the longest interest rates have ever remained so low which instills some uncertainty about what would happen if we raised them too quickly.

Huffington Post

The magazine will be found in newsstands at the airports and around the country and will be used by the Republicans to instill fear if not uncertainty among the electorate.

The New York Times

The immediate aftermath of the leave decision in Britain is how to unite a divided country; with the resignation of the Prime Minister and a sharply divided country, the UK will need to work to if not bridge the divide at least instill confidence in the wake of great uncertainty.

Huffington Post

Roberts's glance must instill the viewer with a tantalizing sense of uncertainty just this side of frustration.

The New Yorker

They are praying for a comprehensive economic policy that calms their uncertainties and instills confidence.

Huffington Post

"Without proper funding and, where needed, the confirmation of qualified leadership, the result could be needless uncertainty about the regulatory environment and failure to instill confidence in our financial markets and institutions".

The New York Times

Triple Package parents are said to instill in their children both a "superiority complex" and an "anxious uncertainty about [their] worth".

The New Yorker

Triple Package parents are said to instill in their children both a "superiority complex" and an "anxious uncertainty about [their] worth". But why not say, instead, that Triple Package children are taught that they have potential, and that they will have to struggle to reach it?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "instill uncertainty" when you want to describe actions that deliberately or inadvertently introduce doubt or lack of confidence in a situation or person.

Common error

Avoid using "instill uncertainty" too frequently in formal or business writing; consider more neutral alternatives like "raise concerns" or "prompt questions" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instill uncertainty" functions as a verb-noun combination where "instill" (verb) describes the action of introducing or implanting, and "uncertainty" (noun) is the object being instilled. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "instill uncertainty" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of introducing doubt or a lack of confidence. While examples of its usage are limited in the provided data, Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Related phrases include "create doubt" and "foster doubt". When using the phrase, be mindful of the context, as overuse in formal settings may be inappropriate. Consider alternative phrasings like "raise concerns" to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create doubt

Focuses on the act of generating doubt, a more direct alternative.

foster doubt

Similar to 'create doubt', but emphasizes nurturing or encouraging doubt over time.

sow seeds of doubt

Emphasizes the planting of doubt, suggesting a more subtle or insidious approach.

raise questions

Focuses on bringing questions into consideration rather than necessarily creating uncertainty.

generate skepticism

Implies a more reasoned or critical form of doubt, focusing on disbelief.

induce hesitancy

Focuses on causing a delay or reluctance through uncertainty.

promote unease

Shifts the focus to creating a feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

spread apprehension

Highlights the distribution of worry or fear.

precipitate anxiety

Suggests a sudden onset of anxiety as a result of the action.

spark speculation

Focuses on igniting conjecture and guesswork, often implying uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "instill uncertainty" in a sentence?

You can use "instill uncertainty" to describe actions that cause doubt. For example: "The new policy changes "created doubt" about job security."

What's a more formal alternative to "instill uncertainty"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "raise concerns" or "prompt questions" for a more neutral tone.

Is it always negative to "instill uncertainty"?

While often negative, instilling uncertainty can sometimes be beneficial. For example, it can encourage critical thinking or re-evaluation of assumptions. However, this is rare and context-dependent.

What is the difference between "instill uncertainty" and "create confusion"?

"Instill uncertainty" implies creating doubt or a lack of confidence, while "create confusion" suggests making something unclear or difficult to understand. They are not interchangeable, although uncertainty can lead to confusion and vice versa.