notion of doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "notion of doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing concepts or ideas related to uncertainty or skepticism. Example: "The philosopher explored the notion of doubt as a fundamental aspect of human existence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Everyone, it seems, has reason to feel guilty about the demise of a character whose comatose condition Farhadi likens to "a sense of uncertainty", a "notion of doubt" upon which the entire film is built.

The Guardian - Film

Consider next the notion of doubt.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"His argument was, in the main, an unfocused running commentary on the state's evidence," the judge wrote, adding that Mr. Sherman had failed to mention the notion of reasonable doubt.

The New York Times

Accountants tend to dismiss the whole notion of conflicts, but doubts linger, fed by one audit scandal after another.

The Economist

The notion of Baez the doubt-ridden folk singer could hardly be in greater contrast to her alter-ego, Baez the activist.

The Guardian - Music

The notion of "Brooklyn" will no doubt turn off some voters who see it as a sign that the party has capitulated to the East (and West) coast elites and abandoned the middle of the country.

Vice

Despite a wealth of literature supporting both theories, a growing number of recent studies employing much more rigorous lineage tracing analysis have cast a significant degree of doubt on the notion that fibrogenic cells arise from sources outside of tissue-resident MSCs.

Fibrogenesis and Tissue Repair

Several former Israeli intelligence agents have said the notion of assassins suffering mid-mission doubt is pure fantasy.

The Guardian - Film

But there are reasons to doubt the notion of an electorate eagerly waiting to embrace Wilson's "new Britain".

The Guardian

All the people in the conference room — even the big chiefs from Russia, China and Saudi Arabia who don't really run for election — like their names linked to a notion of accomplishment, however much in doubt.

The New York Times

Taking in all its manifestations, which include tightened internet censorship and a stifling of public debate, the latest crackdown on political dissent certainly constitutes the worst since Tiananmen Square in 1989 and its aftermath.A third reason to doubt the notion of gradual warming lies in the method of repression.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "notion of doubt" when you want to discuss a concept or general idea related to uncertainty, rather than a specific instance of doubting. For instance, you might explore "the notion of doubt in philosophical inquiry".

Common error

While grammatically sound, "notion of doubt" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler terms like "uncertainty" or "skepticism" for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "notion of doubt" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to a concept or idea related to uncertainty or skepticism, rather than a specific instance of doubting. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "notion of doubt" is a grammatically sound way to refer to the concept of uncertainty, skepticism, or disbelief. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English. While it's not an extremely common phrase, appearing in a few contexts like News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, it serves a distinct purpose. It allows writers to discuss the abstract idea of doubt rather than specific instances, which is especially useful in philosophical or analytical writing. Consider simpler alternatives like "uncertainty" or "skepticism" for more informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sense of uncertainty

Focuses on the feeling associated with doubt, rather than the intellectual concept.

feeling of skepticism

Highlights the skeptical aspect of doubt, implying a questioning attitude.

hint of disbelief

Suggests a subtle or initial stage of doubting something.

element of uncertainty

Emphasizes that uncertainty is a component within a larger situation or idea.

trace of skepticism

Similar to 'hint of disbelief', but emphasizes a slight degree of skepticism.

questionable assumption

Focuses on the act of doubting a specific assumption.

suspicion of falsehood

Highlights the possibility of something being untrue as the basis for doubt.

lack of conviction

Focuses on the absence of strong belief or certainty.

seeds of mistrust

Implies that doubt is growing into a stronger feeling of mistrust.

grounds for questioning

Emphasizes the reasons or basis for having doubts.

FAQs

How can I use "notion of doubt" in a sentence?

You can use "notion of doubt" to discuss a general concept of uncertainty. For example: "The philosopher explored the "notion of doubt" as a fundamental aspect of human existence."

What's a simpler way to express the "notion of doubt"?

Alternatives include using "uncertainty", "skepticism", or "disbelief" depending on the specific context. For instance, you could say "There was a general "sense of uncertainty" surrounding the project's outcome."

Is "concept of doubt" interchangeable with "notion of doubt"?

Yes, "concept of doubt" and "notion of doubt" are largely interchangeable and carry similar meanings. You can choose whichever sounds more natural in your sentence. For example: "The "concept of doubt" is central to Descartes' philosophy."

What is the difference between "doubt" and the "notion of doubt"?

"Doubt" is the feeling of uncertainty itself, while the "notion of doubt" refers to the general idea or concept of being uncertain. One is the experience, the other is the idea of that experience.