suspicious time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suspicious time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period that raises doubts or concerns about its legitimacy or safety. Example: "During this suspicious time, many people began to question the motives behind the sudden changes in policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The 70s are here, an altogether more suspicious time of Nixonian regulation and police brutality.

The Economist

It was a suspicious time, early in the nuclear age and the cold war, so naturally people assumed the worst.

The New York Times

After about twenty seconds — enough time to take a quick look around, and to give any rider who had seen something suspicious time to come forward — they would step off and wave the train on.

The New Yorker

As a result, I received a huge bill with no way to verify the suspicious time entries.

Forbes

That's an awfully suspicious time, and it suggests that the e-commerce giant was trying to avoid creating headlines with this deal.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Bournemouth's triumph had all the hallmarks of a classic underdog win – they were forced to withstand long spells of pressure, there was some suspicious time-wasting at points and they pounced late on with a scrappy goal from a substitute.

The Guardian - Sport

No doubt in these more suspicious times, he would have been dismissed as a paedophile.

The Guardian - Books

The New York Road Runners gives each runner with suspicious times a chance to explain.

The New York Times - Sports

Another man assured Ms. Isom that even in suspicious times, a holiday pie would make it aboard.

The New York Times

There are lessons for new authors in these suspicious times, and the first is to include a return address on any letter or package.

The New York Times - Books

And, in these suspicious times, it takes an uncommon degree of trust to leave your mail out there beside the street all day long.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suspicious time", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the time period questionable, providing specific details to support the suspicion.

Common error

Avoid using "suspicious time" as a vague descriptor. Always provide context or specific details that make the time period suspect to avoid confusing or misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suspicious time" functions as a descriptor, modifying a noun (time) with an adjective (suspicious). Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showing the phrase employed to qualify periods characterized by doubt or uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suspicious time" is a descriptor used to express doubt or concern regarding a specific period. Ludwig AI's analysis, supported by real-world examples, indicates its grammatical correctness and neutral tone. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, where it serves to highlight questionable circumstances or events. Remember to provide specific context when using this phrase to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "dubious period" or "questionable time" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dubious period

Replaces 'suspicious' with 'dubious', emphasizing doubt or questionability.

questionable time

Substitutes 'suspicious' with 'questionable', suggesting uncertainty or doubt.

uncertain era

Replaces "time" with "era", conveying a longer duration marked by uncertainty.

tenuous moment

Uses 'tenuous' to highlight the fragility or instability of the period.

precarious phase

Emphasizes the instability and potential danger of the period.

sketchy period

Replaces 'suspicious' with 'sketchy', indicating something incomplete, superficial, or suspicious.

doubtful stage

Focuses on the lack of certainty or conviction about the period.

fishy moment

Informal alternative replacing 'suspicious' with 'fishy', suggesting something is not right.

iffy situation

Replaces both words, offering a more casual expression for a potentially problematic period.

dubious circumstances

Shifts focus to the circumstances surrounding the period, emphasizing their doubtful nature.

FAQs

How can I use "suspicious time" in a sentence?

Use "suspicious time" to describe a period characterized by doubt, uncertainty, or questionable circumstances. For example, "During that "dubious period", many people lost faith in the government."

What are some alternatives to "suspicious time"?

Alternatives include "questionable time", "dubious period", or "uncertain era" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "suspicious time" a formal or informal expression?

The expression "suspicious time" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "questionable time" might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What makes a time period "suspicious"?

A "suspicious time" is marked by unusual events, lack of transparency, or circumstances that raise doubts about the legitimacy or safety of what is happening. It suggests something is amiss or potentially wrong.