skeptical about

USAGE SUMMARY

"skeptical about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing doubt or uncertainty about something. Example sentence: She was skeptical about the new diet fad, but decided to give it a try anyway.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm skeptical about that.

Yale University

Klein was skeptical about that.

The New Yorker

"I'd been skeptical about God.

The New Yorker

We're justly skeptical about government.

The New York Times

I'm skeptical about everything".

The New York Times - Arts

"I was skeptical about testifying," Smothers said.

The New Yorker

I'm skeptical about those statistics.

The Guardian

I am deeply, deeply skeptical about this.

The New York Times

Some are skeptical about the conservation part.

The New York Times

Some are skeptical about that.

The New York Times

I'm still skeptical about that".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "skeptical about", ensure the context clearly indicates what you are doubting. Providing a reason for your skepticism strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid simply stating you're "skeptical about" something without explaining why. Always follow with a brief explanation or supporting evidence to make your skepticism more convincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "skeptical about" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a state of doubt or questioning. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and provides numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "skeptical about" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express doubt or uncertainty. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage across various contexts, most frequently in News & Media, Academia and Science. When using this phrase, it's essential to provide context for your skepticism to enhance clarity and credibility. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "dubious of" or "uncertain of". Remember, while skepticism is a valuable trait, ensure your doubts are well-supported with reasoning or evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having doubts about

Directly expresses the presence of doubts, indicating a lack of complete trust or belief.

not convinced about

Emphasizes the lack of persuasion or acceptance regarding something.

dubious of

Focuses on the feeling of doubt or question regarding the truth or validity of something.

questioning

Emphasizes the act of inquiring or expressing doubts about something.

uncertain of

Highlights the lack of sureness or confidence in something.

wary of

Suggests caution and a lack of complete trust, often due to potential dangers or risks.

incredulous of

Stresses disbelief or skepticism, often in response to something surprising or shocking.

distrustful of

Highlights a lack of trust or confidence in someone or something.

apprehensive about

Implies a feeling of anxiety or fear about something, alongside doubt.

taking with a grain of salt

Indicates a cautious approach to believing something, suggesting it might not be entirely true.

FAQs

How can I use "skeptical about" in a sentence?

You can use "skeptical about" to express doubt or uncertainty regarding a particular claim, idea, or situation. For instance, "I am skeptical about the company's projected growth".

What's a more formal alternative to "skeptical about"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "dubious of" or "uncertain of" to convey a similar meaning with a more refined tone.

Is it better to say "skeptical of" or "skeptical about"?

Both "skeptical of" and "skeptical about" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or subtle nuances in context, though "skeptical about" is somewhat more common.

When should I use "skeptical" versus "cynical"?

"Skeptical" implies doubt and requires evidence before believing something, while "cynical" suggests a general distrust of people's motives. Being skeptical is healthy questioning; being cynical is more negative and assumes the worst.