makes me suspicious

USAGE SUMMARY

"makes me suspicious" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it anytime you want to express that you are feeling cautious or wary due to someone or something. For example: "The way he avoided answering my questions makes me suspicious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

That certainly makes me suspicious".

The New York Times

The thought makes me suspicious.

The New Yorker

And this quantum stuff makes me suspicious, too.

The Guardian

Since the pool is made up of individuals in the prime of healthy youth, the price makes me suspicious.

The New York Times

About DiMaggio's courtship of Monroe, he says, "Soon they were seen everywhere, but it still makes me suspicious".

The New York Times - Books

My Church of England (or more accurately Church in Wales) childhood makes me suspicious of these emphatic Passions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

That made me suspicious.

The New York Times - Sports

Free things make me suspicious.

The New Yorker

But now he has made me suspicious.

The Guardian - Film

Why would it make me suspicious of celebrities?

The New York Times - Magazine

The look in his eyes made me suspicious.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "makes me suspicious" to express a feeling of unease or distrust when something seems off or questionable. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language.

Common error

While "makes me suspicious" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound less sophisticated. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "arouses my suspicion" or "prompts my skepticism".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "makes me suspicious" functions as a declarative statement expressing a personal feeling of distrust or unease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable. Examples show it modifies scenarios or actions that cause this feeling.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "makes me suspicious" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for conveying distrust or unease. As Ludwig AI points out, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, although more formal settings might require more sophisticated alternatives. The analysis indicates its primary function is to express a personal feeling, and its communicative purpose is to inform others about one's skepticism. While generally neutral in register, overuse should be avoided in formal writing. Related phrases include "arouses my suspicion" and "raises a red flag", offering nuanced ways to express doubt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm skeptical of that

Expresses a general feeling of doubt or disbelief.

that raises a red flag for me

Uses an idiom to signal a warning or concern about something.

arouses my suspicion

Changes the verb from 'makes' to 'arouses', offering a slightly more formal tone.

that seems questionable to me

Indicates doubt about the validity or truthfulness of something.

that rings alarm bells

Uses idiomatic language to convey a sense of warning or danger.

I find that suspect

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct expression of finding something questionable.

I have my doubts about that

Directly states the speaker's uncertainty or lack of conviction.

it gives me pause

Indicates hesitation and doubt, suggesting something is not quite right.

that doesn't quite add up

Indicates that something seems illogical or inconsistent.

I'm inclined to disbelieve that

Expresses a leaning towards not believing something, highlighting skepticism.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "makes me suspicious" to sound more formal?

In more formal settings, you could use phrases such as "arouses my suspicion", "prompts my skepticism", or "leads me to question" to convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

Is it okay to use "makes me suspicious" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "makes me suspicious" might sound too informal for academic writing. Consider using more formal alternatives like "raises concerns" or "warrants further investigation".

What does it mean when someone says something "makes me suspicious"?

When someone says something "makes me suspicious", it means they feel uneasy, doubtful, or distrustful about a situation, statement, or person. They perceive something is not quite right or truthful.

Are there synonyms for "makes me suspicious" that I can use in different contexts?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "arouses my suspicion", "raises a red flag", or "I'm skeptical of that". These alternatives offer varying degrees of formality and intensity.