lingering doubts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'lingering doubts' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase used to describe doubts that remain after a certain issue has been discussed or resolved. For example, "Despite the assurances of the company, I still have lingering doubts about the safety of their products."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are two lingering doubts.

The New York Times

Any lingering doubts were gone.

The New Yorker

On Thursday, any lingering doubts were removed.

The New Yorker

However, lingering doubts persist about Libya's future.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, some retailers harbor lingering doubts.

The New York Times

And there were Harrington's lingering doubts.

The New York Times - Sports

It casts lingering doubts, raises suspicions, and engenders fierce diatribe.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

There were time constraints, nagging injuries, lingering doubts.

The New York Times - Sports

But along with the proliferating medical treatments come lingering doubts.

The New York Times - Style

On Sunday, any lingering doubts were put to rest.

The New York Times

Still, even Ms. Ahsan-McTier had lingering doubts about how the city's plan would work.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lingering doubts" to express that uncertainty or hesitation persists even after some discussion or attempts at resolution. It implies that the issue hasn't been fully put to rest.

Common error

Avoid using "lingering fears" when "lingering doubts" is more appropriate. "Doubts" refer to intellectual uncertainty, while "fears" refer to emotional apprehension. For example, use "lingering doubts about the project's feasibility", not "lingering fears".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lingering doubts" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the state of uncertainty or hesitation that remains after a certain point. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

27%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lingering doubts" is a common and grammatically sound way to express persistent uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig AI validates its use across diverse sources, including news, academic papers, and business communications. While "remaining uncertainties" and "unresolved questions" can serve as alternatives, "lingering doubts" specifically highlights the duration and unresolved nature of the uncertainty. When using this phrase, ensure that "doubts", and not "fears", appropriately reflects the intellectual uncertainty you intend to convey. Ludwig's examples show its versatility in expressing reservations across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remaining uncertainties

Focuses on the unresolved aspect of the situation, similar to doubts that persist.

lingering reservations

Highlights the hesitations and unenthusiastic feelings that remain.

lingering uncertainties

Shifts the focus to a lack of clarity rather than direct doubt.

unresolved questions

Emphasizes the lack of answers rather than the presence of doubt.

lingering suspicions

Implies a lack of trust or belief that continues to exist.

underlying anxieties

Focuses on the feelings of worry that are still present.

nagging concerns

Highlights the persistent and bothersome nature of the worries.

persisting skepticism

Emphasizes the disbelief or lack of conviction that continues.

lingering concerns

More general term referring to the persistence of worries.

lingering misgivings

Focuses on feelings of unease or apprehension that remain.

FAQs

How can I use "lingering doubts" in a sentence?

You can use "lingering doubts" to express that uncertainties or hesitations remain after a discussion or attempt at resolution. For example: "Despite the explanation, I still have "lingering doubts" about the company's financial stability."

What are some alternatives to "lingering doubts"?

Alternatives include phrases like "remaining uncertainties", "unresolved questions", or "persisting skepticism" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "lingering doubts" or "remaining doubts"?

Both "lingering doubts" and "remaining doubts" are correct and largely interchangeable. "Lingering" emphasizes the duration of the doubts, while "remaining" simply indicates they still exist.

What's the difference between "lingering doubts" and "lingering suspicions"?

"Lingering doubts" imply a lack of certainty or understanding, while "lingering suspicions" suggest a lack of trust or belief in someone's honesty or motives. The choice depends on whether the uncertainty is about facts or about trustworthiness.