scepticism on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scepticism on" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct preposition would be "about" or "towards" when expressing doubt or disbelief regarding a specific topic. Example: "There is growing scepticism about the effectiveness of the new policy."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Other academics cast a note of scepticism on Freeman's findings.

The Guardian

Perhaps a dose of scepticism on HS2 sounds more persuasive in Goldmanese.

The Guardian - Business

Voltaire was famously anxious about the effects of his own religious scepticism on his domestic servants.

The Guardian - Books

It should be noted, in fairness, that Sevigny turns her laser-like scepticism on herself as regularly as on others.

The Guardian - Film

The questions being posed of Australia indicate a high level of scepticism on the effectiveness of the government pollution policies".

The Guardian

In practice, however, those campaigning for a Brexit have often expressed scepticism on global warming science and policy.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Most of the scepticism centred on the lack of diversity, though many readers had their own favourite omission.

The Guardian - Books

Scepticism is on the rise and the opinions of, for example, Eamon Dunphy, were bound to be caustic.

The Guardian - Sport

Many of the brightest stars in economics parade their scepticism, insisting on how little economists really know (or indeed how little real economics they know).

The Economist

Questions included further scepticism based on the experiences of Channel M in Manchester and fears about local TV's effect on already-embattled local radio.

The Guardian

Or perhaps, say others, the charges amount to an internal purge of those regarded as least loyal and most dispensable.The authorities have taken care to meet such scepticism head on.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "scepticism on" is frequently used, especially in news media, it's grammatically incorrect. Use "scepticism about" or "scepticism towards" for better clarity and correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "on" after "scepticism". The correct prepositions are "about" or "towards". For example, instead of "scepticism on the new policy", write "scepticism about the new policy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scepticism on" functions as a prepositional phrase, often intended to express doubt or uncertainty regarding a specific subject or idea. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically questionable. While frequently encountered, standard English prefers alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While "scepticism on" is a frequently encountered phrase, especially in news and media, Ludwig AI analysis shows that it is grammatically incorrect. Standard English prefers "scepticism about" or "scepticism towards". Although highly prevalent, especially in journalistic contexts, adhering to proper grammatical forms enhances clarity and credibility in writing. Remember to use "scepticism about" or "scepticism towards" to maintain grammatical correctness and avoid potential misinterpretations. Despite the frequent usage of this phrase, opting for grammatically sound alternatives ensures precision and professionalism in communication. Alternatives include doubt regarding, skepticism about and skepticism towards.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cynicism on

Replaces "scepticism" with "cynicism", suggesting a more negative and distrustful outlook.

mistrust on

Substitutes "scepticism" with "mistrust", highlighting a lack of trust or confidence.

disbelief on

Changes "scepticism" to "disbelief", emphasizing a lack of acceptance or faith.

suspicion on

Replaces "scepticism" with "suspicion", suggesting a feeling of doubt or mistrust without sufficient evidence.

distrust on

Similar to "mistrust on", it directly conveys a lack of trust.

reserve on

Indicates a holding back of complete acceptance or agreement, implying some level of doubt.

uncertainty on

Replaces "scepticism" with "uncertainty", focusing on the lack of sureness or definiteness.

doubt on

Uses "doubt" in place of "scepticism", conveying a feeling of uncertainty or disbelief.

incredulity on

Suggests disbelief or astonishment, often implying that something is difficult to believe.

questioning on

Implies an active process of inquiry and doubt, rather than a passive state of scepticism.

FAQs

Is "scepticism on" grammatically correct?

No, "scepticism on" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The correct prepositions to use with "scepticism" are "about" or "towards". For example, it's better to say "scepticism about the results".

What's the difference between "scepticism about" and "scepticism towards"?

Both "scepticism about" and "scepticism towards" are correct and often interchangeable. "Scepticism about" is generally used for topics or ideas, while "scepticism towards" can be used for people or actions. However, the distinction is subtle and not always strictly observed.

What can I say instead of "scepticism on"?

Instead of "scepticism on", use alternatives like "doubt regarding", "skepticism about", or "skepticism towards" depending on the context.

How do I use "scepticism about" in a sentence?

You can use "scepticism about" in a sentence like this: "There is growing "scepticism about" the effectiveness of the new policy."