still doubting

USAGE SUMMARY

'still doubting' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is continuing to be uncertain about something, even when given more information. For example, "John had heard about the new development plan, but he was still doubting it would bring any real benefit to the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"All these people are still doubting it because they don't want the birth certificate from Obama.

The New York Times

Opponents have rarely triple-teamed Clark, perhaps still doubting his potency when they see his babyface.

The New York Times - Sports

"Everybody is still doubting what we're made of right now anyway," Scott said.

The New York Times - Sports

First, it tells us that the Miami Heat are really insanely good, in case anyone was still doubting that.

The Guardian - Sport

Astronomers, perhaps thinking it impossible to detect any residual radiation or still doubting the Big Bang theory, did not bother to search.

The New York Times

Still doubting, I later asked myself whether 17-year-old Maya would really have told her mother that all the girls at her university were having sex.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

But still doubts creep in.

Independent

Many scientists still doubt that.

The New York Times - Science

That said, many people still doubt blockchain's future.

Stanford University

But skeptics still doubted the sincerity of the new effort.

The New York Times

We are, oddly, the last ones who still doubt our own political project.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "still doubting" to convey a sense of ongoing uncertainty or skepticism, even after receiving new information or evidence. For example, "Despite the positive reviews, I am still doubting whether to buy the product."

Common error

Avoid using "still doubting" to express a definitive rejection or closed-mindedness. It should indicate ongoing uncertainty, not a firm decision against something. For example, instead of "I am still doubting that I will ever agree", consider "I remain unconvinced that I will agree."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "still doubting" functions as a verb phrase, where "still" acts as an adverb modifying the verb "doubting". It typically indicates a continuous action or state of uncertainty. Ludwig provides many examples from news and academic sources where the phrase is used to describe someone's ongoing skepticism.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

23%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "still doubting" is a commonly used phrase to express ongoing skepticism or uncertainty. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia and Science. When using this phrase, it's important to convey a sense of open-minded skepticism rather than closed-minded rejection. Consider alternatives like "remaining skeptical" or "yet to be convinced" to nuance the meaning, and avoid using it to express a definitive refusal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remaining skeptical

Focuses on the state of skepticism rather than the act of doubting.

persisting in doubt

Emphasizes the continuation of doubt over time.

continuing to question

Highlights the ongoing process of questioning something.

yet to be convinced

Indicates a lack of persuasion or certainty.

harboring reservations

Suggests holding onto unspoken doubts or concerns.

remaining unconvinced

Similar to "yet to be convinced", but with a stronger emphasis on resistance to belief.

expressing ongoing skepticism

Highlights the verbalization or demonstration of doubt.

unresolved uncertainties

Shifts the focus to the presence of unresolved issues that cause doubt.

lingering suspicions

Suggests a sense of unease or mistrust that persists.

maintaining disbelief

Emphasizes the active effort to not believe something.

FAQs

How can I use "still doubting" in a sentence?

You can use "still doubting" to express that someone continues to have reservations or uncertainties about something, even after receiving information. For example, "Even after the explanation, she was "still doubting" the official account of events."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "still doubting"?

Alternatives to "still doubting" include phrases like "remaining skeptical", "persisting in doubt", or "yet to be convinced". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to be "still doubting" something?

Not necessarily. "Still doubting" can indicate a healthy sense of skepticism and critical thinking, prompting further investigation or evaluation rather than blind acceptance. It becomes negative when it leads to stubbornness or refusal to consider evidence.

What's the difference between "still doubting" and "already doubting"?

"Still doubting" indicates that the doubt persists, while "already doubting" suggests the doubt was present from an earlier point. For instance, "I was "already doubting" his claims before he provided any evidence, and I am "still doubting" them now."