is not confident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not confident" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who lacks self-assurance or certainty in a particular situation. Example: "She is not confident in her ability to deliver the presentation effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The confidence questions used a five item Likert scale, where 1 is "Not confident at all" and 5 is "Very confident".

BMC Nephrology

The public is not confident.

The Guardian

"Hopeful is not confident," Mr. Hoyer said.

The New York Times

The world is not confident about the economy.

The New Yorker

2. Ukip is not confident about winning an EU referendum.

The Guardian

But Ms. Jacob is not confident this will enable her to resume her career.

The New York Times

Spitzer is not confident that a case against Cablevision is viable.

The New York Times - Sports

But Mr. Van is not confident enough to borrow heavily to finance a rapid expansion.

The New York Times

He is not confident that his insurer would pay if he ever got truly sick.

The New York Times - Health

The Commerce Department says it is not confident the figures are accurate.

The New York Times

At 44, he is not confident he can find another good paying union job.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing a lack of confidence, clearly state the reason or area of uncertainty to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using hyperbolic language when expressing a lack of confidence. Overly dramatic phrases can undermine your credibility and create unnecessary alarm. Instead, opt for clear and measured language to accurately convey your level of uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not confident" functions as a subject complement, describing a state of lacking assurance or certainty. As shown by Ludwig, it's commonly used to express someone's doubt or uncertainty about a particular situation, ability, or outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is not confident" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a lack of assurance or certainty. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it serves to communicate feelings of doubt or skepticism. Ludwig's AI insights and examples support its broad usability and accuracy in expressing various levels of uncertainty, though, it is very rare in academic sources. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the reason for the lack of confidence and avoiding overly dramatic language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Lacks confidence

Uses a verb to express the absence of confidence instead of an adjective phrase.

Is uncertain

Uses a different adjective to describe a state of not being sure or having doubts.

Is unsure

Employs a different adjective to convey a similar sense of doubt or uncertainty.

Is doubtful

Replaces "confident" with "doubtful", directly contrasting the original meaning.

Is apprehensive

Indicates a feeling of anxiety or fear that something unpleasant might happen, suggesting a lack of confidence.

Is unassured

Uses a less common adjective to convey a similar meaning of lacking confidence.

Has reservations

Implies a feeling of doubt or unease about something, indicating a lack of full confidence.

Is skeptical

Expresses doubt about the truth or validity of something, suggesting a lack of confidence in it.

Feels uneasy

Indicates a lack of comfort or confidence, often due to a sense of potential problems.

Is without conviction

Emphasizes the absence of firm belief or certainty, reflecting a lack of confidence.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is not confident" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases such as "lacks confidence", "harbors doubts", or "expresses reservations" to convey a similar meaning with increased sophistication.

What are some synonyms for "is not confident" that don't involve the word 'confident'?

Alternatives include "is unsure", "is uncertain", "is doubtful", or "is skeptical". These options provide different nuances of lacking assurance.

How do I use "is not confident" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure that the sentence clearly indicates who or what lacks confidence and the specific area of uncertainty. For example, "She is not confident about her ability to present" or "The company is not confident in the market's stability".

What is the difference between "is not confident" and "is unconfident"?

"Is not confident" is the standard and more common way to express a lack of confidence. "Is unconfident" is grammatically unusual and less frequently used; it's generally better to stick with "is not confident".