plant doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

"plant doubt" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of causing someone to question or be uncertain about something. Example: "His comments were intended to plant doubt in her mind about the project's viability." Alternative expressions include "sow doubt" and "instill doubt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Defense lawyers are exploiting the lack of scientific proof to plant doubt, even when there are eyewitness accounts, confessions or other compelling evidence.

The Washington Post

When a prosecutor is personally convinced the defendant is guilty, it can take enormous self-discipline to turn over evidence she thinks is meaningless when she knows the defense could use that evidence to plant doubt in jurors' minds.

The New York Times

He also had one political objective: to plant doubt in the minds of voters about the wisdom of handing over a still-fragile economy to David Cameron and George Osborne.

The Guardian

The correspondence is with his nephew Wormwood, a Junior Tempter stationed up above, whose job is to plant doubt and despair in the mind of the Patient, a Christian.

The New Yorker

Some Evangelicals produce counterfeit Korans that are designed to plant doubt in Muslim minds.And the battle of the books is certainly at the heart of the battle between the two religions.

The Economist

Champions in 2008 and one victory from a title last June, the Celtics had to plant doubt in the mind of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade after Games 1 and 2 in Miami went just as James envisioned, or guaranteed, when he ditched northern Ohio to become a son of South Beach.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

As Clinton said, Trump has tried very, very hard to plant doubts about the fairness of the election.

The New Yorker

The Dean campaign dismissed the accusation and said the criticism was part of a strategy to plant doubts about Dr. Dean's strength in the state.

The New York Times

And he used questions about the financing of Mr. Bush's Social Security plan to plant doubts about the governor's competence.

The New York Times

And I know Donald's trying very hard to plant doubts about it, but I hope the people out there understand: this election's really up to you.

The New Yorker

And I know Donald's trying very hard to plant doubts about it, but I hope the people out there understand: This election's really up to you.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plant doubt" when you want to convey the deliberate action of instilling uncertainty or questioning a previously held belief. It suggests a strategic effort to influence someone's opinion.

Common error

Avoid using "plant doubt" when you simply mean someone is confused or uncertain. This phrase implies a deliberate action to create that uncertainty, not just a state of confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plant doubt" functions as a verb phrase, where 'plant' acts as a transitive verb taking 'doubt' as its direct object. This describes an action of instilling or creating uncertainty in someone's mind. Ludwig AI highlights examples of how defense lawyers use it to question evidence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "plant doubt" is a grammatically sound and strategically employed expression, as Ludwig AI confirms. It is used to describe the deliberate action of instilling uncertainty or questioning beliefs, predominantly in contexts like legal defense, political strategy, and general influence. While its register is neutral, it's crucial to recognize the intentionality behind its use. Alternatives like "sow seeds of uncertainty" or "instill skepticism" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. Recognizing the contexts and implications of "plant doubt" allows for more effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sow seeds of uncertainty

Emphasizes the gradual introduction of uncertainty.

instill skepticism

Focuses on creating a questioning attitude.

raise suspicion

Highlights the act of making something seem untrustworthy.

foster disbelief

Focuses on nurturing a lack of belief.

inject uncertainty

Implies a sudden introduction of doubt.

cast aspersions

Involves making damaging or derogatory remarks.

create misgivings

Focuses on generating feelings of apprehension or unease.

undermine confidence

Highlights the act of weakening assurance in something.

foment distrust

Emphasizes the active encouragement of a lack of trust.

introduce reservations

Highlights the expression of hesitancy.

FAQs

How can I use "plant doubt" in a sentence?

You can use "plant doubt" to describe the act of instilling uncertainty. For example, "The defense attorney aimed to "plant doubt" in the jurors' minds about the witness's credibility."

What are some alternatives to "plant doubt"?

You can use alternatives like "sow seeds of uncertainty", "instill skepticism", or "raise suspicion" depending on the context.

Is it always negative to "plant doubt"?

While often used in negative contexts like legal defense or political strategy, "plant doubt" isn't inherently negative. It can be used to encourage critical thinking or question assumptions, depending on intent.

What's the difference between "plant doubt" and "raise a question"?

"Raise a question" implies a simple inquiry or prompting for information. "Plant doubt" suggests a more deliberate effort to introduce uncertainty or disbelief about something already believed or accepted.