pervasive doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pervasive doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a widespread or all-encompassing feeling of uncertainty or skepticism about something. Example: "In the wake of the scandal, there was a pervasive doubt about the integrity of the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Its trajectory towards increased radicalism has steepened with the pervasive doubt that Mr Assad will be promptly punished for gassing his people.The first challenge for any system of inspection will be finding stuff to inspect.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But no one at NBC has done much serious planning about what to do with "The Apprentice," because of what two executives cited as pervasive doubts that Mr. Trump would actually enter the race.

The New York Times

He was widely regarded as a failed president -- what gave him the edge were pervasive doubts about Reagan's knowledge and judgment.

Huffington Post

Despite pervasive doubts regarding the effectiveness of quarantine, local authorities were reluctant to abandon the protection of the traditional strategies that provided an antidote to population panic, which, during a serious epidemic, could produce chaos and disrupt public order (33 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Symptoms of Party Panic include, but are not limited to: sweaty palms and heart palpitations; sleepless nights spent obsessing over the number of slices a pecan pie will yield; compulsive over-apologizing; and a pervasive sense of doubt about your own cooking, how your home looks and your ability to get it all under control.

Huffington Post

"The remarkable growth is a reflection, no doubt, of pervasive anxiety about corporate pension plans and Social Security, a sense that people had better take care of themselves or they could be left out in the cold in their so-called golden years," Mr. Lowenstein observes.

The New York Times

Many philosophers think that pervasive moral disagreement casts doubt on the intuitionists' claim that certain moral propositions are self-evident.

SEP

Fighting through doubts as pervasive as my own.

Vice

"If there were any doubt about the pervasive nature of public corruption in Albany, today's multicount conviction of David Rosen should put it to rest once and for all," Preet Bharara, the United States attorney in Manhattan, said.

The New York Times

The essentialist language is pervasive in Négritude literature, no doubt, but so is the language of hybridity which can be seen as undermining it the way Penelope used to undo at night what she had woven during the day.

SEP

It features Hoffman and Amy Ryan in a tentative and implausible romance, shot through with self-doubts and a pervasive lack of hope.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pervasive doubt", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the doubt is directed towards. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "pervasive doubt" as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your sentence structure and use synonyms to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pervasive doubt" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "pervasive" modifies the noun "doubt". This structure is used to describe a state of widespread uncertainty or skepticism. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pervasive doubt" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that describes a widespread feeling of uncertainty or skepticism. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its meaning is clear, and it is employed across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, and science-related articles. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the object of the doubt. Alternatives such as "widespread skepticism" or "ubiquitous uncertainty" can be used for variety. Remember to avoid overusing this phrase in close proximity to maintain a more engaging writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widespread skepticism

Replaces "doubt" with "skepticism" emphasizing disbelief on a large scale.

ubiquitous uncertainty

Substitutes "pervasive" with "ubiquitous" highlighting the omnipresence of the uncertainty.

rampant mistrust

Changes "doubt" to "mistrust", suggesting a more active form of disbelief that is widespread.

general skepticism

Uses "general" instead of "pervasive" to indicate a broad lack of conviction.

broad uncertainty

Replaces "pervasive" with "broad", focusing on the wide scope of uncertainty.

common skepticism

Emphasizes that the skepticism is held by many, rather than being isolated.

extensive uncertainty

Highlights the reach and magnitude of the uncertainty.

prevalent unease

Shifts the focus to a feeling of unease that is widespread.

overall suspicion

Indicates a general sense of suspicion and distrust.

universal question

Changes "doubt" to "question", highlighting the widespread nature of inquiry or challenge.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "pervasive doubt" in a sentence?

To effectively use "pervasive doubt", ensure that the subject of the doubt is clearly defined, and the sentence structure emphasizes the widespread nature of this doubt. For example: "There is a pervasive doubt about the effectiveness of the new policy."

What are some alternatives to "pervasive doubt"?

You can use alternatives like "widespread skepticism", "ubiquitous uncertainty", or "rampant mistrust" depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

Is it ever inappropriate to use the phrase "pervasive doubt"?

While generally acceptable, "pervasive doubt" might be inappropriate in overly optimistic or celebratory contexts where emphasizing widespread negativity would be counterproductive. In those scenarios, focusing on positive outlooks is better.

What's the difference between "pervasive doubt" and "nagging doubt"?

"Pervasive doubt" refers to a widespread feeling of uncertainty, while "nagging doubt" describes a persistent, often minor, feeling of unease or uncertainty that continues to bother someone. Pervasive describes the scope, nagging describes the nature.