remain doubtful

USAGE SUMMARY

"remain doubtful" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when expressing ongoing uncertainty or skepticism about a situation or statement. Example: "Despite the evidence presented, I still remain doubtful about the outcome." Alternative expressions include "still uncertain" and "continue to doubt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Some experts remain doubtful of these projections.

The New York Times

But many Vatican watchers remain doubtful that only the butler could have done it.

The New York Times

Yet the Saudis remain doubtful about the American strategy in Iraq.

The New Yorker

And some observers remain doubtful that holographic storage will be commercially viable any time soon.

The Economist

The special teams players Johnnie Harris and Kato Serwanga remain doubtful.

The New York Times - Sports

However some locals remain doubtful that the new laws will change the atmosphere on the strip.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Mr. Hanan remained doubtful.

The New York Times

I remained doubtful until the end, really".

The New York Times - Sports

Some experts, however, remained doubtful of the brand's claims of high precision.

The New York Times

If Miguel's trajectory seemed to offer some hope for Michael, Anne remained doubtful.

The New York Times - Magazine

DROGBA IS STILL DOUBTFUL Didier Drogba practiced with his Ivory Coast teammates but remained doubtful for the team's opening game against Portugal because of a broken arm.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, follow the phrase with the preposition 'about' for objects or 'that' for full clauses to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "remain doubtful" when you actually mean 'remain hesitant'. Doubt refers to a lack of conviction in a truth or outcome, while hesitation refers to a delay in action. If a person is slow to sign a contract, they 'remain hesitant', but if they don't believe the contract is fair, they "remain doubtful".

Linguistic Context

In terms of grammatical function, "remain doubtful" acts as a copular verb phrase where 'remain' serves as a linking verb connecting the subject to the subject complement adjective 'doubtful'. According to Ludwig AI analysis, this structure is used to describe a static but persistent quality or state of mind of the subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "remain doubtful" is a highly effective and grammatically standard phrase for describing ongoing skepticism. It is a staple of professional journalism and academic writing, appearing hundreds of times in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is particularly useful because it conveys not just a lack of belief, but the fact that this state has survived despite evidence or time. When using it, ensure you distinguish between 'doubt' regarding a fact and 'hesitation' regarding an action to maintain high-level writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain uncertain

Generalizes the lack of certainty without the negative connotation of doubt

remain dubious

Adds a slightly more formal or academic tone to the skepticism

stay skeptical

Emphasizes a critical mindset rather than just a lack of belief

remain unconvinced

Focuses on the failure of evidence or arguments to change one's mind

harbor doubts

Suggests a more internal or long-term possession of uncertainty

continue to question

Shifts the focus from a state of mind to an active process of inquiry

remain unsure

A simpler, more neutral way to express lack of confidence

stay undecided

Specific to situations where a choice or judgment is pending

persist in doubting

Highlights the duration and stubbornness of the skepticism

remain indeterminate

Used more in technical or scientific contexts regarding outcomes

FAQs

How to use "remain doubtful" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a persistent state of disbelief, such as: "Economists "remain doubtful" that the market will recover by the end of the year".

What can I say instead of "remain doubtful"?

Depending on your tone, you could use "<a href="/s/remain+uncertain" target="_blank" rel="alternative">remain uncertain", "<a href="/s/stay+skeptical" target="_blank" rel="alternative">stay skeptical", or "<a href="/s/remain+dubious" target="_blank" rel="alternative">remain dubious".

Which is more formal, "remain doubtful" or "be doubtful"?

"remain doubtful" is slightly more formal and descriptive because it implies a continuation of a state, whereas "<a href="/s/be+doubtful" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be doubtful" is a simple statement of current fact.

Is it "remain doubtful of" or "remain doubtful about"?

Both are correct. "remain doubtful of" is often used for specific entities or people, while "remain doubtful about" is more common for general situations or outcomes.