planting doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "planting doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of causing someone to question their beliefs or confidence in something. Example: "The politician was accused of planting doubt about the integrity of the election process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Unlike Othello, Leontes/Lenny doesn't have an Iago carefully planting doubt and jealousy in his mind.

The New York Times

His success, though, came in planting doubt in Pakistani minds after he removed both openers.

The Guardian - Sport

By planting doubt, confusing the public, bribing political allies and even buying the loyalty of rogue scientists.

The Guardian - Opinion

Zaheer Khan, the master of reverse swinging the ball both ways in subcontinental conditions, was entrusted with the job of planting doubt in the minds of batsmen.

Independent

The fact that candidates' acknowledgment of something indisputable is taken as a sign of "just how far the discussion has shifted" is sad, though not surprising given the amount of money and skill major corporations have devoted to planting doubt about climate change.

The New York Times

The first stage in planting doubt is to deny the evidence.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Now, the future of his candidacy rests on planting doubts about the invincibility and electability of Mrs. Clinton, without damaging his existing relationships with Iowa voters.

The New York Times

theme suggests that the Clinton campaign sees the advertisement as successfully planting doubts about her opponents and presenting her as presidential.

The New York Times

In the Democratic race, Mr. Wicker is trying to catch Mr. Easley by planting doubts with party loyalists about Mr. Easley's devotion to their cause.

The New York Times

The approach Mr. Romney has taken in recent weeks with increasing zeal seeks to avoid those sensitivities while planting doubts in voters' minds about Mr. Obama's fealty to America and its allies.

The New York Times

His leading rivals repeatedly criticized him — his record as governor of Massachusetts and his evolving views on social issues provided chief targets — in hopes of planting doubts about his candidacy and improving their own standing with voters.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "planting doubt" when you want to emphasize the deliberate action of introducing uncertainty or skepticism into someone's mind, especially in situations involving persuasion or manipulation.

Common error

Avoid using "planting doubt" when you simply mean to "raise questions" about a topic. "Planting doubt" implies a more intentional and often negative action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "planting doubt" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the action of instilling uncertainty or skepticism in someone's mind. Examples show it used to describe political strategies, interpersonal manipulations, and even corporate tactics.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "planting doubt" is a common and grammatically correct gerund phrase used to describe the act of instilling uncertainty or skepticism. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's frequently employed in news and media, particularly when discussing politics, sports, and business strategies. While the phrase has a slightly negative connotation, it's versatile enough to be used in neutral reporting and analytical commentary. Consider alternatives like "instilling skepticism" or "raising suspicions" to fine-tune the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instilling skepticism

Focuses on creating a general sense of disbelief or questioning.

raising suspicions

Highlights the act of making someone feel that something is wrong or dishonest.

fostering uncertainty

Emphasizes the gradual development of doubt or lack of confidence.

sowing seeds of distrust

Uses a metaphor to describe the act of creating a lack of trust.

casting aspersions

Focuses on damaging someone's reputation through insinuations.

creating misgivings

Highlights the act of causing feelings of doubt or apprehension.

injecting uncertainty

Emphasizes introducing doubt or lack of confidence into a situation.

spreading apprehension

Focuses on making people anxious or fearful.

generating skepticism

Highlights the creation of a questioning or doubting attitude.

cultivating disbelief

Emphasizes the gradual development of a lack of belief.

FAQs

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

You can use "planting doubt" to describe a situation where someone is intentionally trying to make others question something. For example: "The opposition party is "planting doubt" about the government's economic policies."

What are some synonyms for "planting doubt"?

Alternatives include "instilling skepticism", "raising suspicions", or "sowing seeds of distrust".

What's the difference between "planting doubt" and "raising concerns"?

"Planting doubt" implies a deliberate attempt to create uncertainty, while "raising concerns" is a more neutral expression of expressing worries or issues.

Is "planting doubt" a negative or positive phrase?

"Planting doubt" typically has a negative connotation, as it often suggests manipulation or an attempt to undermine someone's confidence or beliefs.