made me doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made me doubt" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it as part of a larger sentence to convey that something caused a doubt or uncertainty in the speaker's mind. For example: "His confusing explanation made me doubt that I had the correct answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"This war made me doubt the past.

The New Yorker

This made me doubt that he could forecast the future.

The New Yorker

At first glance these made me doubt her - oh no, just a Beuys homage.

The Guardian

These people made me doubt everything about myself and my worth.

The Guardian - Opinion

It made me doubt whether I was as strong as I thought I was.

The Guardian - Music

But lately my skepticism about meritocracy itself has made me doubt whether we need more of it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

All you do is make me doubt myself.

The New Yorker

It was enough to make me doubt my comma sense.

The New Yorker

But then you toss the word "exclusively" into the mix, and make me doubt you.

The New York Times

This makes me doubt the very concept of "dream," "reach" and "safety" schools.

The New York Times

Jen in New York wrote: "The products make me doubt the service.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made me doubt" to express a specific instance where something caused you to question a belief, decision, or person. It's most effective when followed by a clear explanation of what prompted the doubt.

Common error

Avoid using "made me doubt" repeatedly without providing specific reasons or context. Overuse can weaken the impact and leave the reader unclear about the source and nature of your doubt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made me doubt" functions as a verbal phrase expressing a cause-and-effect relationship, where something (the subject) caused the speaker to experience doubt. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used. Examples on Ludwig show a wide variety of subjects leading to this feeling of doubt.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "made me doubt" is a grammatically sound and common expression used to convey that something has caused the speaker to feel uncertain or skeptical. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it maintains a neutral register, its usage is strongest when followed by specific details explaining what triggered the doubt. To enhance writing, avoid overuse without context and consider alternatives like "caused me to question" or "led me to uncertainty" to add nuance. By understanding its function and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively use "made me doubt" to express nuanced feelings of uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

caused me to question

Focuses on the act of questioning as a result of something.

led me to uncertainty

Highlights the feeling of uncertainty that arose.

made me reconsider

Emphasizes the act of thinking again about something, possibly changing your mind.

prompted my skepticism

Indicates the triggering of a skeptical attitude.

instilled doubt in my mind

Highlights the planting of doubt within one's thoughts.

aroused my suspicion

Focuses on the feeling of suspicion being awakened.

sowed seeds of doubt

Emphasizes the gradual introduction of doubt.

raised questions in my mind

Highlights the emergence of unanswered questions.

shook my confidence

Indicates a weakening of one's self-assurance.

left me wondering

Emphasizes the state of pondering or speculating.

FAQs

How can I use "made me doubt" in a sentence?

You can use "made me doubt" to express that something caused you to question or feel uncertain about something. For example, "His inconsistent alibi "made me doubt" his honesty."

What are some alternatives to "made me doubt"?

Alternatives include "caused me to question", "led me to uncertainty", or "prompted my skepticism", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "made me to doubt"?

No, "made me to doubt" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is ""made me doubt"", without the "to". The verb "make" in this context takes a bare infinitive.

What's the difference between "made me doubt" and "made me wonder"?

"Made me doubt" suggests a stronger sense of questioning or uncertainty, while "made me wonder" implies curiosity or mild speculation. "Made me doubt" indicates a loss of confidence or trust.