significant doubts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant doubts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong level of uncertainty or skepticism about a particular issue or situation. Example: "The committee has significant doubts about the feasibility of the proposed project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

General McCaffrey harbored significant doubts about the invasion plan.

The New York Times

He also noted that "significant doubts surround" her conviction.

The New York Times

But I did have significant doubts for a substantial period of time.

Princeton University

"Each one of them is raising significant doubts about the viability of the other's candidacy.

The New York Times

While most lawmakers on the panel agreed on the importance of vaccination, Paul raised significant doubts.

The Washington Post

Significant doubts remain about Manning's health — and not only whether the nerves will fully regenerate.

The New York Times - Sports

But he would not opine on "whether it rises to criminality," though he noted others have "significant doubts" about that.

The Washington Post

An expensive contract was awarded to the contractors, Bouygues, although there were significant doubts about the project.

The Guardian - Opinion

There were also, he said, "significant doubts" in the state about the effectiveness of the mandated tutoring policy.

The New York Times

Consider for instance the significant doubts we face today concerning the likely directions of Russia, China, Europe, the Middle East, and the Korean peninsula.

Yale University

The main issue is whether Rice knew that U.S. intelligence agencies had significant doubts about a claim made by British intelligence that Iraq was seeking uranium in Africa.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significant doubts", consider the context and choose the specific noun that best reflects the nature of the uncertainty. For example, "significant doubts about the data" or "significant doubts regarding the policy".

Common error

While "significant doubts" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "serious concerns" or "substantial reservations" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant doubts" functions as a noun phrase that expresses a state of uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and readily usable in written English. This suggests its established role in conveying uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

20%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "significant doubts" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey substantial uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Analysis of real-world examples reveals its prevalence in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While appropriate in various settings, it's wise to consider synonyms like "serious reservations" or "considerable uncertainty" for stylistic variation. Remembering to use "significant doubts" precisely and sparingly will enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious reservations

Replaces "doubts" with "reservations" and "significant" with "serious", emphasizing a strong feeling of unease or disapproval.

considerable uncertainty

Substitutes "doubts" with "uncertainty" and "significant" with "considerable", highlighting the lack of sureness or conviction.

grave misgivings

Replaces "doubts" with "misgivings" and "significant" with "grave", suggesting a feeling of apprehension or worry about potential consequences.

substantial skepticism

Replaces "doubts" with "skepticism" and "significant" with "substantial", focusing on a questioning or disbelieving attitude.

profound qualms

Substitutes "doubts" with "qualms" and "significant" with "profound", indicating deep-seated worries or anxieties.

major concerns

Replaces "doubts" with "concerns" and "significant" with "major", emphasizing the importance of the worries.

notable apprehensions

Substitutes "doubts" with "apprehensions" and "significant" with "notable", highlighting the anxieties that are worth mentioning.

strong reservations

Replaces "doubts" with "reservations" and "significant" with "strong", conveying a forceful expression of disagreement or opposition.

deep-seated suspicions

Substitutes "doubts" with "suspicions" and "significant" with "deep-seated", highlighting the long-lasting mistrust and doubts.

marked degree of skepticism

Replaces "significant doubts" with an adjective phrase, highlighting a noticeable disbelief about something.

FAQs

How can I use "significant doubts" in a sentence?

You can use "significant doubts" to express strong uncertainty about something. For example, "The team has significant doubts about the project's feasibility" or "Significant doubts remain about the accuracy of the data".

What are some alternatives to "significant doubts"?

You can use alternatives such as "serious reservations", "considerable uncertainty", or "grave misgivings" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "significant doubts" or "major doubts"?

"Significant doubts" and "major doubts" are both acceptable, but "significant doubts" tends to sound more formal and is often preferred in professional or academic contexts. "Major doubts" is generally more informal.

What's the difference between "significant doubts" and "minor doubts"?

"Significant doubts" implies a considerable level of uncertainty or skepticism, suggesting that the issue is important and potentially problematic. "Minor doubts" suggests that the uncertainty is less important and likely won't have a big impact.