raise suspicions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "raise suspicions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or behaviors that cause doubt or concern about someone's intentions or actions. Example: "His sudden change in behavior began to raise suspicions among his colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Such cockeyed optimism should raise suspicions.

The New York Times

Also, obvious poor quality — like uneven stitching — should raise suspicions.

The New York Times

Another address, especially one that looks strange, should raise suspicions.

The Guardian - Tech

But Ms. Ashkinadze said having testing companies provide such advice could raise suspicions among patients.

The New York Times

Secretive and possibly manipulative, they are almost designed to raise suspicions.

The Economist

"If you push too hard it could raise suspicions," Mr. Kim said.

The New York Times

I wanted to move from the line, but I knew that it would raise suspicions.

The New York Times

At least, that is, until mysterious illnesses among tourists begin to raise suspicions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now Clete needs to keep quiet unless he wants to raise suspicions.

The New York Times - Books

Skilling's abrupt departure will raise suspicions of accounting improprieties and valuation issues.

The New York Times

At times, the investigators tried to raise suspicions, but were still not challenged.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "raise suspicions", ensure the context clearly identifies what or who is causing the suspicion. For example, 'His evasive answers raised suspicions among the investigators'.

Common error

Avoid vague statements that don't clearly link the subject to the action causing suspicion. Instead of 'Something raised suspicions', specify 'The discrepancy in the financial report raised suspicions'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raise suspicions" functions as a verb phrase where "raise" is a transitive verb and "suspicions" is its direct object. It indicates the act of causing feelings of doubt or mistrust. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "raise suspicions" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of causing doubt or mistrust. According to Ludwig AI, this expression is used and valid. Analysis of numerous real-world examples shows that it's frequently employed in neutral contexts like news and media, but is also seen in scientific or formal contexts. When writing with this phrase, ensure you clearly identify the subject and the action causing the suspicion to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "arouse suspicion" or "spark suspicion" for nuanced expression. Understanding its proper usage ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arouse suspicion

Uses a more formal verb, 'arouse', implying a deliberate instigation of suspicion.

spark suspicion

Emphasizes a sudden or abrupt beginning of suspicion.

cast doubt

Suggests throwing uncertainty onto something.

create doubt

Focuses on the formation of uncertainty rather than direct suspicion.

invite skepticism

Highlights the act of prompting a questioning attitude.

generate mistrust

Implies a broader sense of lack of trust, not just specific suspicion.

foster disbelief

Stresses the nurturing of a lack of belief in something.

provoke wariness

Highlights a cautious or guarded feeling.

cause apprehension

Focuses on the creation of anxiety or fear.

fuel speculation

Implies promoting guesswork or conjecture, which can lead to suspicion.

FAQs

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

Use "raise suspicions" when you want to indicate that something is causing people to feel doubtful or distrustful. For example, 'His sudden wealth began to raise suspicions among his neighbors'.

What are some alternatives to "raise suspicions"?

You can use alternatives such as "arouse suspicion", "spark suspicion", or "create doubt" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "raise suspicions" or "rise suspicions"?

"Raise suspicions" is the correct phrase. "Raise" means to cause or provoke, while "rise" means to ascend. Therefore, "raise suspicions" correctly conveys the idea of causing suspicion to arise.

What's the difference between "raise suspicions" and "confirm suspicions"?

"Raise suspicions" means to cause someone to begin to suspect something, while "confirm suspicions" means to verify or prove that existing suspicions are correct. They are opposite in meaning.