raise doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and usable in written English.
'Raise doubt' can be used to express reservations or to question something. For example: "His sudden departure from the company has raised doubt about the truth of the allegations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Evaluated alone, these raise doubt whether the precise calibration results are systematically correct.

Measurement

Proof turns on expert testimony, and an effective opposing expert can raise doubt.

The New York Times

Mr. Levander asked about the differences during cross-examination to try to raise doubt about the government's case.

The New York Times

To win an acquittal, they need not prove his guilt, only raise doubt in the minds of the judges.

The New York Times

However, they raise doubt that Mr. Brown can top 50percentt in Tuesday's voting and thereby avoid a runoff with the No. 2 finisher.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, this data journalist's analysis suggests there are several strong reasons to take on the question, and several strong reasons to raise doubt about the conclusion.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Instead, these skeptics pounce on every discrepancy to raise doubts.

Yale University

"If democracy deadlocks here, we raise doubts about democracy everywhere".

The New York Times

Yet Rosenberg's own accounts raise doubts as well.

The New York Times - Books

The energy disputes will raise doubts about Gazprom's reliability.

The Guardian

But defense lawyers are paid to raise doubts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "raise doubt", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being doubted. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "raise doubt" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal contexts. Alternatives like "call into question" or "engender skepticism" can add nuance and sophistication to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raise doubt" functions as a verb phrase used to express the action of creating or introducing uncertainty about something. Ludwig examples confirm its role in questioning validity or reliability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "raise doubt" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the introduction of uncertainty or skepticism. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts, often used to challenge claims or arguments. While versatile, remember to consider alternatives like "cast doubt" or "call into question" for nuanced expression, especially in formal writing. Its prevalence across authoritative sources underscores its legitimacy and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cast doubt

This alternative directly substitutes "raise" with "cast", maintaining the core meaning of introducing uncertainty.

call into question

This phrase expresses the act of questioning the validity or truth of something, similar to raising doubt.

arouse suspicion

This alternative focuses on creating a feeling of distrust or uncertainty.

generate uncertainty

This phrase highlights the creation of a state of uncertainty, akin to raising doubt.

instill skepticism

This alternative emphasizes the act of creating a skeptical attitude.

foster disbelief

This phrase describes the encouragement of a lack of belief or acceptance.

prompt questioning

This implies the act of causing questions to arise, similar to raising doubt.

spark apprehension

This alternative focuses on triggering feelings of anxiety or unease.

engender mistrust

This phrase suggests the creation of a sense of distrust.

provoke skepticism

This alternative suggests causing a skeptical attitude to arise.

FAQs

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

"Raise doubt" is typically used to indicate that something is causing uncertainty or questioning. For example, "The conflicting evidence raised doubt about the defendant's alibi."

What can I say instead of "raise doubt"?

You can use alternatives like "cast doubt", "call into question", or "arouse suspicion" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "raise doubts" or "raise doubt"?

While both forms are used, "raise doubt" is more common when referring to a general sense of uncertainty, while "raise doubts" might be used when referring to specific instances or aspects of uncertainty.

What's the difference between "raise doubt" and "confirm doubts"?

"Raise doubt" means to introduce uncertainty, whereas "confirm doubts" means to validate pre-existing feelings of uncertainty.