suspected about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suspected about" is not correct and not usable in written English.
The correct usage would typically involve "suspected of" when referring to someone being suspected of a particular action or crime. Example: "He was suspected of stealing the car."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

"The passing of the Charter was the straw that broke the camel's back for many young people whom we spoke to, it was the moment in which everything they were feeling and everything they suspected about wider Quebec society was confirmed," said the report.

Vice

First, the number of genetically identifiable breeds may be even larger than suspected (about 400), increasing the value of dogs as a model organism for association studies.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Two percent of stops where trespassing was suspected — about 7,000 — yielded drugs or other contraband.

The New York Times

For a Romney supporter to preach pragmatism and electability only confirms for your average Tea Party member everything he or she already suspected about the candidate.

The New York Times - Magazine

Later, administrators said that more than half of those suspected, about 70 students, had been required to withdraw, generally for a year, retroactive to last September.

The New York Times

He was shown a uranium enrichment plant whose sophistication and likely output is well in excess of what most experts suspected about the North Korean uranium program.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

I don't mean there's anything suspect about them.

The New Yorker

Gosling subtly suggests something indefinably suspect about his character.

The Guardian - Film

There seems to be nothing suspect about her or the account.

The New York Times

Should she tell him what she was beginning to suspect about her cousin Dickie?

The New York Times - Magazine

In November, police appealed for help to track down other witnesses or suspects about the alleged abuse.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "suspected about" in formal writing. Instead, opt for more grammatically sound alternatives like "suspected of" or "had suspicions about".

Common error

A common mistake is using "suspected about" when "suspected of" is the correct phrasing to indicate that someone is believed to have committed a crime or wrongdoing. Ensure you use "of" to link the person suspected and the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suspected about" functions incorrectly as it attempts to link a verb of belief (suspect) with a preposition in a way that violates standard English grammar. Ludwig AI flags this as incorrect, and more appropriate alternatives should be considered.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "suspected about" appears in some contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that the correct form is "suspected of" when referring to someone believed to have committed an action. Alternative phrasings like "had suspicions about" or "believed about" are recommended for clearer and more accurate communication. Therefore, avoiding "suspected about" in formal writing is advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suspected of

Focuses on the action or crime someone is believed to have committed, rather than a general belief.

had suspicions about

Emphasizes the existence of doubts or mistrust concerning someone or something.

believed about

Indicates a held belief or opinion regarding something.

presumed about

Similar to 'believed about', but suggests an assumption made without concrete evidence.

speculated about

Highlights the act of forming a theory or conjecture about something.

held a belief regarding

Focuses on the act of holding a particular conviction or opinion.

entertained doubts about

Suggests a state of uncertainty or questioning regarding something.

had reason to believe concerning

Suggests the existence of evidence or justification for one's beliefs.

harbored reservations about

Indicates a feeling of unease or apprehension concerning something.

expressed skepticism regarding

Highlights the act of voicing doubts or disbelief about something.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "suspect" with a preposition?

The correct preposition to use with "suspect" when referring to someone believed to have committed an action is "of". For instance, you would say "He is "suspected of" theft", not "He is suspected about theft".

Is it ever correct to use "suspected about"?

While some instances of "suspected about" appear in text, they are generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's best to use alternative phrasings like "had suspicions about" or "believed about".

What can I say instead of "suspected about" to express doubt or mistrust?

You can use alternatives like "had suspicions about", "entertained doubts about", or "harbored reservations about" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "suspected of" or "suspected about"?

"Suspected of" is the grammatically correct phrasing when indicating that someone is believed to have committed an action. "Suspected about" is generally considered incorrect.