suspicious of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suspicious of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing doubt or mistrust towards someone or something. Example: "She was suspicious of his intentions when he offered to help her with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They're suspicious of complexity.

The New York Times

"I'm very suspicious of it.

Independent

"But I'm suspicious of it".

The New Yorker

I'm highly suspicious of it.

The New Yorker

Suspicious of conversation itself.

The Guardian - Arts

Suspicious of foreigners?

The Guardian - Opinion

And suspicious of him.

The New Yorker

At first, she was suspicious of him.

Independent

We are suspicious of the Americans.

The New Yorker

We are suspicious of the Afghans".

The New Yorker

"I was suspicious of Christians", he said.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suspicious of", clearly identify the object or person being viewed with skepticism to provide context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "suspicious of" when a milder term like "curious about" or "inquisitive about" is more appropriate, as "suspicious of" often implies a stronger sense of distrust or potential wrongdoing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suspicious of" functions as a predicate adjective describing a subject's state of mistrust or doubt regarding someone or something. It indicates a feeling that something is not right or honest. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suspicious of" is a common and grammatically correct way to express doubt or mistrust. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as in formal and business settings. While alternatives like "wary of" or "skeptical of" exist, "suspicious of" carries a specific connotation of potential wrongdoing or hidden motives. When using the phrase, be sure to clearly identify what is causing the suspicion to provide adequate context. Avoid using it in situations where a milder term would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wary of

Emphasizes caution and alertness to potential dangers or problems, slightly stronger than "suspicious of".

skeptical of

Focuses on doubt and questioning the validity or truth of something, more intellectual than "suspicious of".

mistrustful of

Highlights a lack of trust and confidence in someone or something, implying a deeper sense of doubt than "suspicious of".

distrustful of

Indicates a strong lack of faith or confidence, often based on past experiences, similar in intensity to "mistrustful of".

doubtful about

Expresses uncertainty or disbelief regarding a claim or situation, a more general term than "suspicious of".

leery of

Implies a cautious and hesitant approach due to potential deception or harm, more informal than "suspicious of".

chary of

Implies a careful avoidance due to potential risks or unpleasantness, more formal than "suspicious of".

apprehensive about

Suggests anxiety or fear about something that might happen, adding an emotional dimension absent in "suspicious of".

guarded about

Suggests a careful and restrained approach to protect oneself or one's interests, implying a defensive posture.

disbelieving of

Highlights a refusal to accept something as true or valid, emphasizing disbelief rather than potential harm.

FAQs

How to use "suspicious of" in a sentence?

Use "suspicious of" to express a feeling of doubt or mistrust towards someone or something. For example, "She was "suspicious of" his sudden generosity".

What can I say instead of "suspicious of"?

You can use alternatives like "wary of", "skeptical of", or "mistrustful of" depending on the context.

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

"Suspicious of" is generally considered the more standard and grammatically correct preposition to use in this context. "Suspicious about" can be used, but it is less common.

What's the difference between "suspicious of" and "doubtful about"?

"Suspicious of" often implies a concern that someone is doing something wrong or dishonest, while "doubtful about" simply means you are not sure about something.