suspicions

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "suspicions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express your doubts about something or someone. For example: I had suspicions that my colleague was taking credit for my work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But sources said this had not been confirmed and there were suspicions the negatives may not all be safe.

The Guardian

And they had strong suspicions about who was responsible.

The Guardian

Johnston, who saw the crash site from outside the police cordon soon after first light on Saturday, explained: "I have heard one of the main suspicions was that the main transmission gearbox might have shattered.

The Guardian

Some umpires, having suspicions but no evidence, will change the ball under the pretext of it having gone out of shape, surreptitiously using the measuring rings used in women's cricket, for a smaller ball, rather than the usual ones.

The Guardian - Sport

(If the "credibility and effectiveness" of Irish bishops have been undermined, as he says, by the scandals, what of his own standing as a bishop, as the power behind John Paul II's throne and now as pope?) There is no explicit endorsement of the new protocols in Ireland demanding that all suspicions be referred to the police.

The Guardian

The long process of overcoming mutual suspicions can be traced through the exchange of position papers, secret talks and hastily relocated summits throughout 1984.

The Guardian

"It was not until I learned she had recently been to Guinea that I took my initial suspicions seriously, that this was Mali's first reported case of Ebola," says the doctor, a soft-spoken man in his 30s.

The Guardian

Sports journalists were outraged last year amid suspicions that Newcastle United had done an exclusive access deal with the Sun which stopped other media organisations from getting access to players.

The Guardian

Suspicions were raised immediately after Davidson alerted staff that Paterson had died, as there was blood on the pillow.

The Guardian

Expect questions to include the inevitable one about Trainspotting 2. Also attending the Critics Circlee celebrations was actor Olivia Colman, who's been dominating the telly recently in Broadchurch and The Suspicions of Mr Whicher.

The Guardian - Film

My suspicions have been confirmed by Stephen Glover in his media column in the latest (July) issue of The Oldie magazine.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suspicions", ensure that the context clearly indicates who holds the suspicions and what they suspect. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid stating that "suspicions were raised" without specifying by whom. Instead, identify the source of the suspicions to make the statement more concrete and credible.

Linguistic Context

The word "suspicions" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a feeling of doubt or mistrust about someone or something. As evidenced by Ludwig, it often appears in contexts where potential wrongdoing or uncertainty is present.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "suspicions" is a common noun used to express feelings of doubt or mistrust. According to Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media contexts. When using "suspicions", it's essential to clearly attribute the suspicions to a specific source and avoid vague statements. Related terms include "misgivings", "doubts", and "apprehensions", each carrying subtle differences in meaning. Its frequent usage in reputable sources like The Guardian and The Economist underscores its validity and relevance in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misgivings

Emphasizes a feeling of doubt or apprehension about the outcome or consequences of something.

doubts

Highlights the state of uncertainty or lack of conviction.

apprehensions

Focuses on a feeling of anxiety or fear that something bad might happen.

reservations

Indicates a feeling of unease or doubt about a plan or suggestion.

distrust

Highlights a lack of confidence in the reliability or integrity of someone or something.

unease

Suggests a feeling of discomfort or anxiety without a clear cause.

qualms

Focuses on moral concerns or reservations about a particular action.

presentiments

Indicates a feeling that something is about to happen, especially something unpleasant.

premonitions

Similar to presentiments, but often implies a stronger sense of foreboding.

gut feelings

Refers to an intuitive feeling or hunch that is difficult to explain rationally.

FAQs

How can I use "suspicions" in a sentence?

You can use "suspicions" to express feelings of doubt or mistrust. For instance, "My suspicions grew when I noticed inconsistencies in his story." or "There were suspicions that the company was involved in illegal activities."

What's a good alternative to the word "suspicions"?

Alternatives to "suspicions" include "misgivings", "doubts", or "apprehensions", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "I have suspicions" or "I have a suspicion"?

While both are grammatically correct, "I have suspicions" is more common when referring to multiple reasons for your doubt or mistrust, while "I have a suspicion" is used when referring to a single, specific instance.

What's the difference between "suspicions" and "presumptions"?

"Suspicions" imply a feeling that something is wrong or dishonest based on limited evidence, while "presumptions" involve assuming something is true based on probability or prior knowledge. "Suspicions" are rooted in doubt, while presumptions are based on assumptions.