make me suspect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make me suspect" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is making you suspicious or causing you to doubt something. For example, "This strange behaviour is making me suspect that something is amiss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

What should make me suspect a piece of mail?

The New York Times

The engine's clattering idle was loud enough to make me suspect a diesel under the hood.

The New York Times

The notion, however, that Arsenal will automatically become a better place by cutting Wenger free does make me suspect that not enough people have been looking closely enough at Manchester United's various ordeals since Sir Alex Ferguson left and what can happen to a club when they lose the man who acts as the glue holding everything together.

The Guardian - Sport

"There was nothing suspicious, nothing at all that would make me suspect there was anything lurking in the background.

BBC

Again, my issue is not with profits won by traders' insight and judgment; it's that the consistency and size of those returns make me suspect that there has been an awful lot of short-term trading profit swallowing up money that in the past would have ended up with long-term investors.

Forbes

It's a terrible limerick; a shitty, half-baked non-effort, something that would be an embarrassment if it had been written by an eight-year-old child, something which would make me suspect foul play if that child had used it to win a £10 book voucher.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

My lack of hostility made me suspect.

The New York Times - Magazine

"That experience made me suspect that a lot of modern art is malarkey," Geisel says.

The New Yorker

His enthusiasm made me suspect that there might be more to his offer than just compassion.

The New York Times - Health

The violence of the blows almost made me suspect as much.

The Guardian

"The provenance of the movie makes me suspect it will not be fair," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make me suspect" when you want to convey that something specific is causing you to feel doubtful or suspicious, rather than simply stating a general feeling of suspicion.

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse of "make me suspect" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "arouse my suspicion" or "cause me to doubt" for a more nuanced and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make me suspect" functions as a causative verb phrase. It indicates that something or someone is causing the speaker to feel suspicion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, with examples available in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make me suspect" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It effectively conveys that something is causing the speaker to feel doubtful or suspicious. While the phrase appears most commonly in News & Media contexts, you can use some alternatives, such as "arouse my suspicion" or "cause me to doubt", for a more nuanced and engaging writing style. Remember to employ it judiciously to prevent repetition and maintain clarity in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arouse my suspicion

This alternative focuses on the action of instigating suspicion.

cause me to doubt

This alternative emphasizes the feeling of uncertainty or disbelief.

lead me to believe

This suggests forming a belief, often cautiously or with incomplete information.

prompt my skepticism

This alternative highlights a general attitude of questioning and disbelief.

make me wonder

Focuses on generating a feeling of curiosity and uncertainty.

raise my eyebrows

This is a more idiomatic way of expressing surprise and doubt.

give me pause

Suggests a moment of hesitation and reflection due to uncertainty.

stir my unease

This alternative emphasizes a feeling of discomfort and anxiety.

create apprehension

Focuses on the creation of anxiety or fear about something.

plant a seed of doubt

This idiomatic phrase describes the initial introduction of suspicion.

FAQs

How can I use "make me suspect" in a sentence?

You can use "make me suspect" to indicate that something is causing you to feel suspicious or doubtful. For example, "His evasiveness began to make me suspect he was hiding something."

What is a good alternative to "make me suspect"?

Alternatives include "cause me to doubt", "arouse my suspicion", or "lead me to believe". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "make me suspect" formal or informal?

"Make me suspect" is suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts. It appears frequently in news articles and well-edited blogs.

What's the difference between "make me suspect" and "make me suspicious"?

While similar, "make me suspect" implies a specific trigger leading to suspicion, whereas "make me suspicious" suggests a general state of being wary or distrustful. The former is action-oriented, the latter, state-oriented.