sceptical to change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sceptical to change" is not correct in English; the correct expression is "sceptical of change." You can use it when discussing someone's doubts or reservations about changes or new ideas.
Example: "Many employees are sceptical of change, fearing it may disrupt their established routines."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As an experiment, we decided (although my husband was very sceptical) to change our shopping habits entirely.

The Guardian - Money

FPs tended to be suspicious of the vast amount and disparity of material published under the EBM label, and thus somewhat sceptical to change.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They also understand that many are sceptical about their chances to change the government's mind.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was instinctively sceptical of grand schemes to change the world.

The Guardian

Despite revealing their level of risk, several HCPs were sceptical of patients' ability to change, even if risk was identified.

BMC Family Practice

The evidence provided in this study suggests that caution may be needed when recommendations are challenging and it could be considered reasonable to be sceptical about the need to change behaviour.

British Journal of Health Psychology

She may be slow-moving, but she has been more effective than many with more obvious flair and charisma.At home she is cautious, sceptical of government's ability to change things, solicitous of allies and quick to cut down challengers.

The Economist

Regulators are looking to [bonus] deferral as the answer, but we're sceptical this will do much to change bankers' behaviour as deferred bonuses hold little value in their eyes.

The Guardian - Business

Insiders say Lord Patten shares this sceptical view, and will seek to change the way the trust works, perhaps handing its regulatory role over to Ofcom, the main media regulator, when the BBC's charter comes up for renewal in 2016.In this section Paris-on-Thames Little Arabia Calling the shots No squeaks from these pips A lord to run the Beeb The kindest cut Jurassic business park Lovely-jubbly.

The Economist

The new Labour intake is quite sceptical about Europe and looking to change our relationship with it".

BBC

Little wonder that, at the KNU office, a KNLA fighter, Major Saw Shee Sho, remains sceptical of the government's ability to change.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "sceptical of change" instead of "sceptical to change". The preposition "of" is the correct choice when expressing doubt or disbelief.

Common error

Avoid using "to" after "sceptical" when discussing change. The correct preposition is "of". For example, say "I am sceptical of the new policy", not "I am sceptical to the new policy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sceptical to change" functions as an adjective phrase, where "sceptical" describes a state of doubt, followed by the preposition "to" and the noun "change". As noted by Ludwig AI, this construction is not grammatically correct; the correct form is "sceptical of change".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "sceptical to change" aims to convey doubt or disbelief regarding change, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that the accurate phrasing is "sceptical of change". The phrase has limited use, primarily appearing in news and scientific contexts. To ensure grammatical correctness and clarity, writers should opt for alternatives like "doubtful about change" or "wary of change". Always use the correct preposition "of" to maintain credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sceptical of change

Changes preposition from "to" to "of", which is the grammatically correct form.

doubtful about change

Replaces "sceptical" with "doubtful" while maintaining the core meaning of uncertainty.

wary of change

Uses "wary" to suggest caution and apprehension regarding change.

hesitant to change

Employs "hesitant" to convey reluctance or unwillingness to embrace change.

resistant to change

Indicates opposition or unwillingness to accept changes.

unconvinced about changing

Focuses on a lack of persuasion or belief in the need for change.

dubious about change

Expresses uncertainty or doubt about the value or effectiveness of changes.

questioning the need for change

Highlights the act of questioning the necessity of alteration.

taking a skeptical stance on change

Describes adopting a skeptical attitude or viewpoint toward changes.

apprehensive about alterations

Conveys anxiety or unease concerning alterations or modifications.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say you have doubts about change?

The correct phrase is "sceptical of change". The preposition "of" should be used, not "to". For instance, you might say, "Many are "sceptical of change" in the company's direction".

Is it grammatically correct to say "sceptical to"?

No, "sceptical to" is not grammatically correct. The correct preposition to use with "sceptical" is "of". Therefore, you should say "sceptical of", not "sceptical to".

What can I say instead of "sceptical of change"?

You can use alternatives like "doubtful about change", "wary of change", or "hesitant to change" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "sceptical of change" and "resistant to change"?

"Sceptical of change" implies doubt or uncertainty about whether the change will be beneficial or effective. "Resistant to change", on the other hand, suggests active opposition or unwillingness to accept the change.