shred of doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shred of doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that there is some small amount of uncertainty or hesitation about something. For example, "Even after all the evidence was presented, there was still a shred of doubt in the jury's mind as to whether the accused was guilty or not."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"Not a shred of doubt," he said.

The New York Times

Tantalisingly, though, a shred of doubt remains.

The Guardian - Books

The PM offered no shred of doubt.

The Guardian

Kathleen A. McAuley has not a shred of doubt.

The New York Times

But suddenly the tiniest shred of doubt is implied by all the tonal upticks.

The New York Times

"There was not a shred of doubt that everyone felt happier for it," according to Michael.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Today's data erased the latest shreds of doubt about whether the Federal Reserve might stray from expectations and lower interest rates further on Tuesday, when the Federal Open Markets Committee meets.

Forbes

The extraordinary success of Scipione Pulzone, also called Il Gaetano, who was represented by a portrait of Jacopo Boncompagni in armor, similarly highlights the steep premium accorded to 16th-century artists whenever authorship is established beyond a shred of a doubt.

The New York Times - Arts

But we do know without any shred of a doubt that, as always, the adventure will continue.

Huffington Post

"The surgeon general won't say smoking causes something before it's proven beyond all possible shred of a doubt," said Glantz.

HuffPost

But by asking whether someone does in fact want to do sex, you are learning beyond the shred of a doubt whether they are on board to be laid down all gentle-like for some sexy times.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shred of doubt" to express a minimal level of uncertainty, implying that while there might be some lingering questions, the overall conviction remains strong. For example, "Despite the inconsistencies, there wasn't a "shred of doubt" in her mind that he was telling the truth."

Common error

While "shred of doubt" is widely accepted, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language to convey your message effectively. Consider alternatives like "minimal uncertainty" or "slight reservation" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shred of doubt" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate a minimal level of uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Reference

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shred of doubt" is a commonly used idiom that indicates a minimal level of uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's versatile and appears in diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business communications. While widely accepted, more precise language might be preferred for highly formal academic writing. Alternatives like ""iota of uncertainty"" or ""hint of skepticism"" can be used to fine-tune the meaning. Using "shred of doubt" effectively means conveying that despite some minor hesitations, overall conviction or belief remains strong.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

iota of uncertainty

Replaces "shred" with "iota", emphasizing a tiny amount of uncertainty.

hint of skepticism

Substitutes "doubt" with "skepticism", focusing on questioning or disbelief.

trace of hesitation

Emphasizes the hesitating aspect of doubt, using "trace" instead of "shred".

whisper of uncertainty

Replaces "shred" with "whisper", suggesting a barely audible or noticeable doubt.

degree of uncertainty

Highlights the existence of doubt but it is not specified to which extent.

element of uncertainty

Highlights the existence of doubt but it is not specified to which extent.

vestige of skepticism

Vestige suggests a lingering trace of skepticism, a more formal substitute.

lack of conviction

Shifts the focus to the absence of strong belief or certainty.

absence of certainty

Indicates a total lack of sureness or confidence.

modicum of reservation

Uses "reservation" instead of "doubt", indicating a withholding of complete approval.

FAQs

How can I use "shred of doubt" in a sentence?

You can use "shred of doubt" to indicate a very small amount of uncertainty. For instance, "After reviewing the evidence, the detective had not a "shred of doubt" about the suspect's guilt".

What can I say instead of "shred of doubt"?

You can use alternatives like "iota of uncertainty", "hint of skepticism", or "trace of hesitation" depending on the context.

Is "shred of doubt" a formal expression?

The phrase "shred of doubt" is considered generally acceptable in both formal and informal contexts, though more precise language might be preferable for highly formal academic writing. Consider alternatives such as "minimal uncertainty".

What's the difference between "shred of doubt" and "shadow of a doubt"?

"Shred of doubt" implies a very small amount of uncertainty remains, while "shadow of a doubt" suggests there is virtually no uncertainty at all.