instilling doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instilling doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation in which someone has created suspicion or mistrust in another person. For example: "John was successful in instilling doubt into his rival's campaign, causing the public to lose faith in the candidate's message."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Deterrence – the action of discouraging an action or event through instilling doubt or fear of the consequences – is a military mission, and constitutes one of the stated objectives of the deployment of the "Iron Brigade" to Europe.

Huffington Post

It has to be done without rising concern in the patient, nor instilling doubt that something went wrong with the therapy and a sentence as "due to normal outcome of radiotherapy" could be suggested if agreed with the Radiotherapist.

Cancer Imaging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Doubt is important because people who are radicalized often don't doubt their ideas and if you instil doubt you did a good job," he said.

Vice

But if you listen to them and ask them questions, open questions, first to understand them better and to instil doubt.

Vice

Care's decision to do the unexpected should have instilled doubts in Scottish minds about England's predictability.

The Guardian - Sport

Finn was accurate, quick and hostile on the first day against South Africa A, achieving the awkward bounce which can instil doubts into the minds of the most accomplished batsmen.

Independent

Chelsea's power and its team discipline had been instilled, no doubt, by Mourinho.

The New York Times - Sports

The recent controversies around the NSA, which is headquartered in Fort Meade, Maryland, with an estimated $10.8 billion annual budget in 2013, and others have instilled serious doubt in the minds of users regarding the trustworthiness of security providers.

Forbes

Amanda Knox's lawyers managed to instil reasonable doubt in the jurors' minds over the quality of testing of the bra clasp belonging to Meredith Kercher - which it was claimed had Raffaele Sollecito's DNA on it - and the knife that prosecutors argued was the murder weapon.

BBC

"A throw-in was enough to instil the doubt and everlasting stench of defeat that always accompanies England". Iceland will go on to face France in the quarter finals and the host nation's media are careful not to underestimate their opponents.

BBC

Indeed, one of these two studies [ 27] reported an increased risk of stroke with statin treatment, which instilled significant doubt over statin-based lipid-lowering therapy in haemodialysis patients.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternative phrases like "planting seeds of doubt" or "raising suspicions" for stylistic variation.

Common error

Avoid vagueness by specifying the agent responsible for "instilling doubt". For example, instead of "Doubt was instilled", specify "The propaganda instilled doubt in the public".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instilling doubt" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically a gerund phrase. It describes an action, where doubt is the object of the verb. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "instilling doubt" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes the action of causing someone to experience uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms this and the phrase is versatile, fitting into neutral registers and appearing frequently in news, media, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of clearly identifying the agent causing the doubt and the recipient experiencing it. Consider "planting seeds of doubt" or "raising suspicions" as viable alternatives depending on your desired tone. The phrase is frequently encountered across authoritative sources, highlighting its relevance in contemporary writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

engendering doubt

Emphasizes the creation or origination of doubt, differing slightly in focus from the active process of instilling.

planting seeds of doubt

Uses a metaphorical image to suggest a gradual introduction of doubt.

sowing seeds of skepticism

Similar to planting seeds of doubt but uses "skepticism" for a more intellectual or philosophical connotation.

raising suspicions

Focuses on the creation of a general feeling of mistrust rather than specific doubt.

fostering disbelief

Suggests a nurturing or encouraging of a lack of belief.

creating uncertainty

Highlights the generation of a state of being unsure or lacking confidence.

breeding skepticism

Implies a rapid growth or spread of skeptical attitudes.

arousing mistrust

Emphasizes the awakening or stimulation of a lack of trust.

generating apprehension

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

inducing skepticism

Formal alternative for producing skepticism, often used in scientific or philosophical contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "instilling doubt" effectively in a sentence?

Use "instilling doubt" to describe an action that causes someone to question something previously accepted. For instance, "The lawyer's cross-examination was aimed at "instilling doubt" in the jury's mind about the witness's reliability".

What are some alternatives to "instilling doubt"?

You can use alternatives such as "planting seeds of doubt", "raising suspicions", or "creating uncertainty" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to talk about "instilling doubt"?

While often used in negative contexts, "instilling doubt" can also be positive if it encourages critical thinking or questioning harmful beliefs. The ethical implication depends on the context and intent behind the action.

What's the difference between "instilling doubt" and "expressing doubt"?

"Instilling doubt" implies actively causing someone else to experience doubt, whereas "expressing doubt" simply means voicing your own uncertainties or skepticism. One affects others, while the other reflects personal feelings.