is under doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is under doubt" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty or questioning the validity of something, but more natural alternatives exist. Example: "The accuracy of the report is under doubt due to conflicting data."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The ability of heterologous fluorescent actin to incorporate into endogenous pool of plant microfilaments has been under doubt [ 9, 10] but the reason why mammalian actin did not incorporate into plant microfilaments during few published experiments is still unclear [ 10, 11].

BMC Plant Biology

There weren't a lot of other movies like that, but they didn't say, 'can't the characters be in their forties?' That fiftysomething audience is under-served, no doubt about it, but I don't set out to say 'nobody's making a film about a 58-year-old woman'; it's just where I go.

Independent

This element of the theory is under-developed, raising doubts about its claims to sufficiency.

SEP

"President Musharraf is under no doubt about the expectation of the international community for clear action to be taken in addition to that which has already been taken to clamp down effectively on cross-border terrorism," he said.

The Guardian

Mohammed Karrar was told she was 16-years-old at first; five years older than her actual age at the time, but he was in no doubt she was under-age.

Independent

Be under no doubt, we are coming for you".

The Guardian

"If Mali is allowed to be taken over by these people, don't be under any doubt what will happen.

Independent

A State Department spokeswoman, Joanne Moore, said, "No one should be under any doubt that we fully support the legitimate civilian government" of Mrs. Arroyo.

The New York Times

In the general humdrum reality of British political life these powers may be theoretical – but no one living in this country should be under any doubt that they are there.

Independent

William Long, a partner at Sidley Austin, said: "Organisations should be under no doubt that now is the time to start the process for ensuring privacy compliance with the regulations.

The Guardian - Tech

If you are under any doubt, watch the documentary Facing the Music detailing the collapse in education standards at the University of Sydney's School of Music after Howard decided to be the universities' vivisectionist.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing uncertainty, consider using more direct and commonly used phrases like "is questionable" or "is uncertain" for clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "is under doubt" excessively in formal writing. Opt for stronger and more precise alternatives to convey uncertainty effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is under doubt" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a subject by indicating that its validity or certainty is being questioned. While grammatically sound, it's not as common as alternatives. Ludwig AI flags it as acceptable, but suggests there are more natural alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is under doubt" signifies that something's validity or certainty is being questioned. Ludwig AI considers it grammatically acceptable but suggests more common alternatives exist. While sources range from news to scientific publications, the phrase is infrequent, indicating a preference for alternatives such as "is questionable" or "is uncertain". When writing, consider directness and clarity. Opt for precise alternatives, particularly in formal contexts, to express uncertainty effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is questionable

Replaces "under doubt" with a single adjective implying uncertainty.

is uncertain

Uses a different adjective to convey a similar meaning of being not definite or sure.

is in question

Replaces "under doubt" with a prepositional phrase that expresses uncertainty or dispute.

is dubious

Employs a stronger adjective suggesting more significant doubt or skepticism.

is open to doubt

Expresses that something is susceptible to being doubted or questioned.

is subject to doubt

Indicates that something is liable to be doubted or viewed with skepticism.

is viewed with skepticism

Focuses on the skeptical reception or attitude towards something.

raises doubts

Shifts the focus to the act of causing doubt rather than being doubted.

is of uncertain validity

More formally expresses uncertainty about the correctness or soundness of something.

is not beyond question

Uses a double negative to indirectly state that something is questionable.

FAQs

What does "is under doubt" mean?

The phrase "is under doubt" means that something is being questioned or its validity is uncertain. It implies that there are reasons to doubt or be skeptical about something.

What can I say instead of "is under doubt"?

You can use alternatives like "is questionable", "is uncertain", or "is in question" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is under doubt" or "is in doubt"?

While "is under doubt" is grammatically acceptable, "is in doubt" is more common and natural-sounding in English. Therefore, "is in doubt" is generally preferred.

How to use "is under doubt" in a sentence?

You can use "is under doubt" to express uncertainty about a claim or statement. For example: "The accuracy of the report "is questionable" due to conflicting data."