prevailing doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prevailing doubt" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means a doubt that is dominating or widespread. Example: The jury's decision was based on the prevailing doubt about the defendant's alibi.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This happened before the WHO has given its stance to clear the prevailing doubt or confusion about the number of doses to administer.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Furthermore, we hope that through this study we will be able to confirm or dispel the prevailing doubts that Indian patients are being exploited.

Global Health Action

Kristiansen's muted watercolor washes, the furthest possible remove from the Man of Tomorrow's primary colors, echo the prevailing tone of anguished doubt.

The New Yorker

While doing research at Harvard University's Thorndike Laboratory from 1959 to 1962, Dr. Herbert began to doubt the prevailing view that anemia induced by shortage of folic acid was rare and largely confined to alcoholics who did not eat properly and to people with digestive disorders.

The New York Times

The heritability of genetic traits is no doubt the prevailing factor affecting RE (Figure 2), however at the moment, there is limited research examining specific genotypes related to better economy [11,12].

Sports Medicine - Open

What today's freethinkers want is freedom from doubt, and the prevailing version of atheism is well suited to give it to them.

The Guardian

Wootton said the discovery was especially momentous because it cast doubt on the prevailing Ptolemaic model (which held that Earth lies at the center of movement in the heavens) while lending support to the Copernican system, which holds (rightly) that the moon orbits Earth, which, in turn, orbits the sun.

Huffington Post

The prevailing situation is uncertainty.

Forest Ecosystems

You can understand Mitchell's doubts about the prevailing power of democracy and justice; yet without some optimistic gesture the production, magnificent in its portrayal of domestic carnage, achieves only a muted climax.

The Guardian

Although the presence of MMPs (which are thought to play similar regulatory functions as MGLPs on fatty acid synthesis) in mc2ΔMSMEG_5084 might account at least in part for this result, this study casts further doubts on the prevailing hypothesis that MGLPs are, in vivo, involved in the regulation of fatty acid synthesis [1].

Plosone

I write for those individuals who have some doubts as to the prevailing worldview.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prevailing doubt" to describe a widespread or dominant feeling of uncertainty. Avoid using it for minor or isolated instances of doubt.

Common error

Avoid using "prevailing doubt" when referring to individual or isolated cases of uncertainty. This phrase implies a widespread or dominant sentiment, not a personal or minor one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevailing doubt" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "prevailing" modifies the noun "doubt". It denotes a widespread or dominant state of uncertainty. Ludwig provides examples that show its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prevailing doubt" is a phrase used to describe a widespread or dominant feeling of uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples demonstrating its use in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, and science. While not exceedingly common, it is suitable for both formal and informal communication, predominantly in formal. To enhance clarity, ensure the context clearly indicates what the doubt pertains to. As indicated by Ludwig, related phrases include "widespread skepticism", "common uncertainty", and "general apprehension", which can be used depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widespread skepticism

Emphasizes the broad reach of the doubt, focusing on disbelief.

dominant skepticism

Focuses on the most influential or powerful doubt present.

common uncertainty

Highlights the shared nature of the doubt or lack of clarity.

overriding uncertainty

Stresses that the uncertainty is more important than any other consideration.

general apprehension

Focuses on the anxiety or unease stemming from the doubt.

collective doubt

Highlights that the doubt is shared by many people.

pervasive misgivings

Suggests a deep-seated feeling of doubt or concern that spreads widely.

prevalent disbelief

Underlines the wide acceptance of this doubt.

rampant suspicion

Highlights the unchecked and widespread nature of the doubt.

broad hesitation

Specifies the doubt that is widespread and makes people pause before accepting something.

FAQs

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

You can use "prevailing doubt" to describe a situation where there is a widespread or dominant feeling of uncertainty, as in "The jury's decision reflected the prevailing doubt surrounding the evidence."

What are some alternatives to "prevailing doubt"?

Alternatives include "widespread skepticism", "common uncertainty", or "general apprehension", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "prevailing doubt" the same as "lingering doubt"?

No, "prevailing doubt" refers to a widespread or dominant feeling of uncertainty, while "lingering doubt" refers to a doubt that persists over time.

What is the difference between "prevailing doubt" and "prevailing confusion"?

"Prevailing doubt" suggests a state of uncertainty or disbelief, whereas "prevailing confusion" suggests a lack of understanding or clarity. The first emphasizes uncertainty, the second emphasizes misunderstanding.