points of doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

"points of doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to any questions or uncertain ideas that arise in the course of a discussion or argument. For example: "As we went through the argument, several points of doubt were raised that we need to look into further."

✓ Grammatically correct

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

How the actors divvy up the supporting and lead nominations is likely to be the main point of doubt.

The Guardian - Film

He has done so over the years, however, with a built-up shoe that checked the original foot problem, transferring it to his knees, wrists and elbows and building a dark forest of vulnerable places in his muscled body, like the ones Federer finds when placing his spots on serve against him, shifting the point of doubt and hurt.

The Guardian - Sport

This should dispel a potential point of doubt by confirming that the output distribution provided by the teacher in our experiments is sufficiently soft and not so peaked as to be indistinguishable from hard targets based on the class of the teacher's maximum prediction.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

I've now realized that there are some advantages to starting from the point of doubting vaccines.

The Washington Post

It's easy to be beaten down to the point of doubting what you have to offer and becoming alienated from your core capacities and sense of self.

Duke University

For someone like Bush, with a strong need to feel in control, to tolerate a mere staff aide's becoming as big a celebrity as Rove shows how deeply he must appreciate Rove's contribution to getting him elected to office — to the point, perhaps, of doubting that he could win without him.

The New Yorker

However, Morgan has appeared unfazed by having his time at CNN cut short, and in the interview claims that he "doesn't really get the point" of self doubt, which he says is a "massively tiresome virtue".

The Guardian

Gassendi's suggestion that we forego methodic doubt in favor of a "simple and brief statement to the effect that [we're] regarding [our] previous knowledge as uncertain" misses the intended point of methodic doubt.

SEP

Through rigorous scientific research, when something is established beyond the point of reasonable doubt, it is the responsibility of the scientific community to report to and educate the wider community.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

And as Farber points out, the reign of doubt at the Israeli rabbinate began as it was becoming steadily less likely that an American Jew would be able to dig an Orthodox marriage contract out of her mother's drawer.

The New York Times - Magazine

Even when all signs point towards victory, feelings of doubt can imprison youin a self-imposed illusion of failure.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "points of doubt", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being doubted and why. Providing specific examples or reasons for the doubt enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "points of doubt" excessively in formal writing. Opt for more precise terms like "unresolved issues" or "areas needing further investigation" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "points of doubt" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. It identifies specific areas or issues that raise uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig shows that the phrase is used to pinpoint particular aspects that require further scrutiny or clarification.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "points of doubt" is a grammatically correct phrase used to identify specific areas of uncertainty or skepticism. While relatively uncommon, as evidenced by Ludwig, it serves a clear communicative purpose in prompting further investigation or clarification. The phrase maintains a neutral register and can be adapted to various writing contexts. Though Ludwig does not provide many examples, the phrase is generally well-understood and usable in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sources of uncertainty

Focuses on the origin or cause of the doubt, rather than the specific instances.

areas of skepticism

Highlights a questioning attitude toward certain aspects.

matters of uncertainty

Emphasizes the ambiguous or indefinite nature of the topics.

issues of ambiguity

Directly addresses the lack of clarity or precision involved.

grounds for suspicion

Suggests a reason to distrust or question something.

causes for concern

Shifts the focus to potential negative outcomes resulting from the doubt.

reasons for questioning

Highlights the rationale behind the act of doubting.

elements of disbelief

Emphasizes incredulity or lack of faith.

aspects needing clarification

Indicates a requirement for further explanation or detail to resolve doubt.

subjects of debate

Suggests that the points are controversial and open to argument.

FAQs

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

You can use "points of doubt" to highlight areas where uncertainty or skepticism exists. For example, "The investigation revealed several "points of doubt" regarding the suspect's alibi".

What are some alternatives to "points of doubt"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "sources of uncertainty", "areas of skepticism", or "matters of uncertainty".

Is "points of doubt" formal or informal?

"Points of doubt" is generally suitable for neutral to formal contexts. However, in highly formal or technical writing, more precise terminology might be preferred.

What is the difference between "points of doubt" and "reasons for questioning"?

"Points of doubt" refers to the specific issues or areas that are uncertain, while "reasons for questioning" emphasizes the justification or rationale behind the act of doubting.