suspect of

USAGE SUMMARY

"suspect of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest that someone is the likely perpetrator of a crime or misdeed. For example, "The police are suspecting of Mark as the culprit behind the theft."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"In the end, I'm suspect of all of it.

The New Yorker

As Americans, we have become very suspect of good oratory.

The New Yorker

In recent weeks prosecutors have cautioned seven people they suspect of belonging to an illegal cabal.

The Economist

Nicolas Cage plays Joe London, which I strongly suspect of being an alias.

The New Yorker

This is when snatch squads raid houses for those they suspect of helping the rebels.

The Economist

That's the whole point, I suspect, of both Alessandro Michele's appointment and his aesthetic direction.

Independent

"The really best advertising understands that people are suspect" of what ads say, he added.

The New York Times

Libertarians who fear a nanny state should be equally suspect of a nanny court.

The New York Times

"It incentivizes racial profiling by allowing police officers to stop people they suspect of being undocumented".

The New York Times

He said he had no candidates to match a white suspect of either sex.

The New York Times

Agent Tanella had chased and tackled Mr. Dewgard, the primary suspect of a narcotics investigation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "suspect of", ensure the context clearly indicates the basis for suspicion. Vague suspicions can undermine credibility. Make sure the reason for your suspicion is evident, either explicitly stated or easily inferred from the surrounding information.

Common error

While "suspect of" is grammatically sound, overuse can make your writing sound accusatory or informal. Vary your language with synonyms like "distrustful of" or "skeptical about" /s/skeptical+about to maintain a balanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suspect of" functions as a verb phrase followed by a preposition, indicating doubt or a belief that someone or something is potentially involved in wrongdoing. It suggests a preliminary stage of suspicion before a formal accusation, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suspect of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express a belief or hunch that someone or something might be involved in wrongdoing or is not entirely trustworthy. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across various contexts. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science, maintaining a neutral register. While versatile, it's essential to ensure clarity and context when using the phrase, and to consider alternatives like "distrustful of" or "skeptical about" to avoid overuse in formal writing. The frequency of the phrase is so high that Ludwig labels it as very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distrustful of

Focuses on a lack of trust, implying a general feeling of unease or skepticism.

skeptical about

Highlights doubt and questioning the validity or truth of something.

wary of

Implies caution and carefulness due to potential danger or deception.

dubious about

Expresses uncertainty and hesitation, suggesting something may not be reliable.

have doubts about

Directly expresses uncertainty and a lack of conviction.

apprehensive about

Emphasizes anxiety or fear about a potential outcome.

questioning the

Focuses on the act of doubting or challenging something's validity or truth.

have reservations about

Suggests holding back full support or agreement due to certain concerns.

lack confidence in

Highlights a deficiency in belief or assurance regarding someone or something.

chary of

Indicates a cautious and hesitant approach, often due to past experiences or potential risks.

FAQs

How is "suspect of" used in a sentence?

The phrase "suspect of" is used to indicate that someone or something is believed to be involved in a wrongdoing or is not entirely trustworthy. For example, "The police "suspects of" him of the crime" or "I am "dubious of" his intentions".

What's a good alternative to "suspect of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "distrustful of", "skeptical about", or "wary of depending on the nuance you want to convey".

Is it correct to say "suspect of"?

Yes, "suspect of" is grammatically correct and commonly used. However, ensure that the preposition "of" is included for proper grammar. For example, "He is "questioning the" validity of the research".

What is the difference between "suspect of" and "accuse of"?

"Suspect of" implies a belief that someone may be guilty or involved, while "accuse of" means to formally charge someone with wrongdoing. "Suspect of" is a preliminary stage before someone is formally "charged of" a crime or offense.