suspect a thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'suspect a thing' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in the context of expressing doubt or uncertainty about the truth or accuracy of something. For example: "I have always suspected something was off about his alibi, but I never had any proof."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Did they really never suspect a thing?

The Guardian

No one would suspect a thing.

The Guardian

In the moment, I didn't suspect a thing.

The New York Times

THE WIFE If you go to Galina now, people will tell you different things about Luka's disappearance, but, of course, no one will ever tell you that days went by before anyone began to suspect a thing.

The New Yorker

Loretta Young gets the best lighting as the professor's new wife, who refuses to suspect a thing, even after he kills her dog - Sunday at 8 p.m. on Channel 55.

The New York Times

If you go to Galina now, people will tell you different things about Luka's disappearance, but, of course, no one will ever tell you that days went by before anyone began to suspect a thing.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Nobody suspected a thing.

The Guardian

None of their parents suspected a thing.

The New York Times

I have a beard, I can drive, I know some big words – nobody suspects a thing.

The Guardian - Opinion

No one suspected a thing... [I] listened and lip-synched to Lady Gaga's Telephone while exfiltrating possibly the largest data spillage in American history".

The Guardian

She had already passed the test: she made countless appearances between 2 February and 14 May, while her treatment was underway, and no one suspected a thing!

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suspect a thing" to express a general lack of awareness or suspicion in a narrative, often implying a hidden truth or deception. It's most effective when describing someone's initial innocence or naiveté before a revelation.

Common error

Avoid using "suspect a thing" when referring to concrete objects or specific details. This phrase is best suited for conveying a general sense of something being amiss, rather than pinpointing a specific item or piece of information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suspect a thing" functions as part of a clause to indicate a lack of awareness or suspicion. It typically modifies a subject, describing their state of unknowing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Huffington Post

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Forbes

5%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "suspect a thing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a complete lack of awareness or suspicion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most often found in news and general writing, functioning to describe someone's unknowing state before a reveal or deception. While versatile, it's best used for general unawareness rather than specific objects and some effective alternatives include phrases like "have no idea" and "be completely unaware". This phrase is useful to create a sense of dramatic irony or to highlight a character's innocence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have suspicions about something

Focuses on having underlying doubts or inklings.

doubt something is as it seems

Emphasizes questioning the apparent reality of a situation.

feel something is amiss

Highlights a sense of something being wrong or out of place.

have a sneaking suspicion

Indicates a subtle, often unconfirmed, feeling of doubt.

question the validity of something

Directly challenges the truth or accuracy of a claim or situation.

wonder if something is true

Expresses uncertainty and curiosity about the truth.

not trust something completely

Indicates a lack of full confidence or belief.

have reservations about something

Suggests hesitations or concerns about a situation.

sense something isn't right

Implies an intuitive feeling of unease or suspicion.

not entirely believe something

Indicates partial disbelief or skepticism.

FAQs

How can I use "suspect a thing" in a sentence?

You can use "suspect a thing" to describe someone's lack of awareness or suspicion about a hidden truth. For example, "The parents didn't "suspect a thing" about their child's secret activities."

What does it mean to "suspect a thing"?

To "suspect a thing" means to have no awareness or suspicion that something is happening or that something is not as it seems. It implies a state of innocence or unawareness.

What are some alternatives to saying "suspect a thing"?

Alternatives include phrases like "have no idea", "be completely unaware", or "not have the slightest suspicion". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is it more common to say "suspect anything" or "suspect a thing"?

While both are grammatically correct, "suspect a thing" is often used to emphasize a complete lack of suspicion, whereas "suspect anything" implies a general wariness or distrust.