light of doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "light of doubt" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing uncertainty or skepticism, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "In the light of doubt surrounding the evidence, we must reconsider our conclusions."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But the steely rasp had returned to his voice, and he turned from the window at last, the sickly light of doubt extinguished from his gaze.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Evidence with regard to such alternatives may also be valuable, in light of doubts that have been raised regarding the effectiveness of small group tutorials.

BMC Medical Education

The perception that Chinese military spending poses an imminent danger to security in the Pacific region also must be called into question in light of serious doubts surrounding the true extent of China's military power and preparedness for aggression.

Huffington Post

Many of these deals are in fact options, with the onus on the investors to present firm development plans and to deposit downpayments before they actually secure title to the land.In light of the doubts about the feasibility of the land-lease approach, the course chosen by Qatar's Hassad would appear to have much to recommend it.

The Economist

Thirdly, these arguments have to be considered in the light of the doubts, cited in the Introduction, if media currently used to conserve the stability and functions of nuclei reproduce the ionic properties of the cytoplasm in vivo.

Plosone

In light of this self-doubt, and his dithering, the press dubbed him "Hamlet on the Hudson".In many ways, Mr Cuomo personified the American Dream.

The Economist

In light of all these doubts about the nonacademic benefits of diversity in higher education, I had long believed that universities should try to achieve as much intellectual diversity as possible, and let the racial chips fall where they may.

The New York Times - Magazine

Why should switching from homunculi to neurons necessarily switch on the light of consciousness? (For doubts about the assumption that it is conceivable that the homunculus-head lacks consciousness, see e.g. Loar 1990/1997, pp. 613f).

SEP

A few people might have wasted time trying to define Conchita's identity or worrying if she is one of "us", but the majority saw her for what she is: an ambassador for diversity, and a beacon of light – no doubt – to our queer cousins on the continent.

The Guardian - Opinion

Each April, the Poets House leads a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, which includes a reading of Walt Whitman's "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry," a pre-bridge poem that, nevertheless, deals with related ideas: connection and disconnection, appreciation for what is ahead and what is behind, the shadows of doubt and light of hope, and the search for meaning in it all.

The New York Times

One woman's monumental certainty shines as harshly as a naked light bulb amid the shadows of "Doubt, a Parable," the tight, absorbing and expertly acted new drama by John Patrick Shanley.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger, more common alternatives like "shadow of uncertainty" or "hint of skepticism" for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid using "light of doubt" in contexts where the reader might interpret "light" literally. Choose more explicit phrasing to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "light of doubt" functions primarily as a noun phrase that expresses a feeling or atmosphere of uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig AI indicates that it is not a standard expression, which may lead to misinterpretations. In the given examples, it often modifies a situation or decision.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "light of doubt" is a grammatically acceptable but uncommon phrase used to convey a sense of uncertainty or skepticism. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it's not a standard expression, which might cause confusion; therefore, clearer alternatives like "shadow of uncertainty" or "hint of skepticism" are often preferable. Its usage spans across neutral contexts such as news and media, with occasional appearances in scientific and more formal writings. While understandable, writers should be mindful of its potential for misinterpretation and consider opting for more explicit phrasing. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, emphasizing the need for further scrutiny or questioning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shadow of uncertainty

Replaces "light" with "shadow" to emphasize the obscurity and lack of clarity.

hint of skepticism

Substitutes "doubt" with "skepticism" to highlight a questioning attitude.

air of disbelief

Focuses on the lack of acceptance or conviction.

sense of uncertainty

Highlights the feeling of not being sure or confident.

cloud of suspicion

Emphasizes potential wrongdoing or mistrust.

seed of doubt

Indicates the initial planting of uncertainty.

question mark hanging over

Implies unresolved issues or uncertainties.

cause for skepticism

Focuses on the reasons for being doubtful.

reason to question

Directly points to the justification for doubting.

grounds for disbelief

Provides a foundation or rationale for doubting.

FAQs

What does "light of doubt" mean?

The phrase "light of doubt" suggests a feeling of uncertainty or skepticism. It's not a commonly used expression, so it might not be immediately clear to everyone.

How can I use "light of doubt" in a sentence?

You might say, "In the "light of doubt" surrounding the evidence, we must reconsider our conclusions". However, consider using a more common alternative.

What are some alternatives to "light of doubt"?

You can use alternatives like "shadow of uncertainty", "hint of skepticism", or "air of disbelief" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "light of doubt" grammatically correct?

The phrase is grammatically sound but uncommon. While understandable, it might be better to opt for clearer, more widely used expressions like "cause for skepticism" or "reason to question".