sliver of doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sliver of doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a small amount of uncertainty or skepticism about something. Example: "Despite the overwhelming evidence, there was still a sliver of doubt in her mind about his innocence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Even so, Griffin is maintaining a sliver of doubt.

The New York Times - Sports

"They remove all but a sliver of doubt that the economy is contracting".

The New York Times

He revealed beyond a sliver of doubt that indeed he had the quality of a fine wine.

Independent

To others, it seemed as if Ewing was trying to slip a psychological sliver of doubt in Mourning's mind.

The New York Times - Sports

I will not deal with a lady or a man that has any sliver of doubt on her or his integrity".

The New York Times

If even a sliver of doubt was loitering in your mind on the central question of modern culture – is The Only Way is Essex (Towie among friends) the best programme of the 21st century?

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

I will not tolerate to deal with a company that has a lady or a man that has any sliver of doubts on her or his integrity.

The Guardian

Even the most skeptical, even friends and teammates who lived through years of rumors and indecision, even those who hold a sliver of reasonable doubt, still believe that Favre's N.F.L. career is finished after 18 seasons.

The New York Times - Sports

Of course, there's a very real chance that my mind remains sealed off and my reservations are confirmed beyond the slightest sliver of a shadow of a doubt, but "a closed mind is a good thing to lose" as the saying (apparently) goes.

Vice

Yes there's Hyde Park down the road, and the Serpentine Gallery, and Cadogan Hall around the corner, but arriving by Tube, as you will, can't leave you in much doubt that this sliver of riches, named after a crossing of the now subterranean River Westbourne, is a kind of refined urban hell.

Independent

Merchants of Doubt.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sliver of doubt" to introduce a small, lingering uncertainty when otherwise there is strong conviction or evidence.

Common error

Avoid building an entire argument around a "sliver of doubt". This phrase is best used to acknowledge minor uncertainties, not to undermine a generally sound premise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sliver of doubt" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes a minimal quantity of uncertainty or skepticism. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it often describes a small reservation despite prevailing evidence or belief.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sliver of doubt" is a useful idiom for expressing a small amount of uncertainty or skepticism. As Ludwig AI verifies, it's grammatically correct and appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. It's most often found in news and media contexts, and is generally used to qualify a statement or express a lingering reservation. While alternatives like "hint of uncertainty" or "trace of skepticism" exist, "sliver of doubt" carries a specific connotation of a small, thin, and perhaps unwelcome uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hint of uncertainty

Replaces "doubt" with "uncertainty", focusing on the lack of sureness.

trace of skepticism

Substitutes "doubt" with "skepticism", emphasizing disbelief.

iota of apprehension

Uses "iota" to describe a very small amount of "apprehension" replacing doubt.

shade of suspicion

Replaces "doubt" with "suspicion", suggesting mistrust.

vestige of uncertainty

Uses "vestige" to indicate a remaining trace of "uncertainty", where doubt was present before.

degree of hesitation

Replaces "doubt" with "hesitation", focusing on reluctance.

element of disbelief

Substitutes "doubt" with "disbelief", highlighting incredulity.

whisper of uncertainty

Replaces "sliver" with "whisper", conveying the quiet nature of "uncertainty".

tinge of misgiving

Replaces "doubt" with "misgiving", which suggests a feeling of apprehension.

fragment of uncertainty

Replaces "sliver" with "fragment", which implies small piece of "uncertainty".

FAQs

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

You can use "sliver of doubt" to indicate a small amount of uncertainty or skepticism about something, even when there's strong evidence to the contrary. For example, "Despite his confession, a "sliver of doubt" lingered in the detective's mind."

What are some alternatives to "sliver of doubt"?

Some alternatives to "sliver of doubt" include "hint of uncertainty", "trace of skepticism", or "iota of apprehension", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "sliver of doubt" or "piece of doubt"?

"Sliver of doubt" is the more common and idiomatic expression. "Piece of doubt" is less frequently used and may sound awkward to native English speakers. "Sliver" emphasizes the small and thin nature of the doubt.

What's the difference between "sliver of doubt" and "lingering doubt"?

"Sliver of doubt" emphasizes the small size of the doubt, while "lingering doubt" emphasizes its persistence over time. A ""sliver of doubt"" might be a small concern that pops up briefly, whereas a "lingering doubt" is a more persistent and ongoing feeling of uncertainty.