made me suspicious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made me suspicious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation or behavior that caused you to feel doubt or mistrust about something or someone. Example: "His sudden change in attitude made me suspicious of his true intentions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

That made me suspicious.

The New York Times - Sports

But now he has made me suspicious.

The Guardian - Film

The look in his eyes made me suspicious.

The New York Times

"These are delicious," Judas said, which made me suspicious, because, frankly, have you ever tasted an unleavened cupcake?

The New Yorker

"The eighties had made me suspicious of any art that seduced you," he said recently, "but I had to totally rethink that with Elizabeth".

The New Yorker

"I don't think I would have noticed," Mr. Bilbao said, "because I was too busy thinking, 'My furniture will go here.' " Still, "being a New Yorker from birth, the low price made me suspicious," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

That certainly makes me suspicious".

The New York Times

Free things make me suspicious.

The New Yorker

The thought makes me suspicious.

The New Yorker

Why would it make me suspicious of celebrities?

The New York Times - Magazine

And this quantum stuff makes me suspicious, too.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made me suspicious" to convey a sense of initial doubt or mistrust based on a specific event or behavior. It's best when you want to describe the moment your suspicion began.

Common error

While generally acceptable, excessive use of "made me suspicious" in formal writing can sound less sophisticated. Consider stronger verbs like 'aroused' or 'instilled' to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made me suspicious" functions as a verb phrase expressing a subjective reaction to an event or situation. It indicates the speaker's feeling of distrust or doubt. This aligns with examples provided by Ludwig, where different scenarios trigger suspicion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made me suspicious" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a feeling of doubt or mistrust caused by a specific event or behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, primarily within news and media, and science. While versatile, it's important to consider the tone and formality of your writing, opting for stronger verbs or more formal alternatives like "aroused my suspicion" in professional settings. Understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, will help you effectively convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aroused my suspicion

Formal phrasing; emphasizes the act of causing suspicion.

caused me to doubt

Directly expresses the feeling of uncertainty.

stirred my skepticism

Emphasizes the activation of a skeptical attitude.

raised my eyebrows

Idiomatic; suggests mild surprise and skepticism.

I started to distrust

Focuses on the development of a lack of trust.

put me on my guard

Implies heightened alertness and caution.

I became wary of

Highlights the shift to a cautious state of mind.

it seemed fishy to me

Informal; conveys a sense of something being wrong or deceptive.

I felt uneasy about

Expresses a sense of discomfort and apprehension.

it gave me pause

Implies a moment of hesitation and reconsideration due to doubt.

FAQs

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

You can use "made me suspicious" to describe a feeling of doubt or mistrust that arose due to a specific situation or behavior. For example, "His evasive answers "made me suspicious" of his true motives".

What's a more formal alternative to "made me suspicious"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "aroused my suspicion", "instilled doubt", or "raised concerns". These alternatives are suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is it correct to say "makes me suspicious" instead of "made me suspicious"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but they differ in tense. "Makes me suspicious" indicates a current or recurring feeling, while "made me suspicious" refers to a past event or situation.

What's the difference between "made me suspicious" and "made me doubtful"?

"Made me suspicious" implies a feeling of mistrust or belief that something is wrong, whereas "made me doubtful" suggests uncertainty or lack of confidence in something. Suspicion often involves a negative connotation, while doubt can be more neutral.