they express doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they express doubt" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing someone's feelings or opinions about a situation or statement that they are uncertain about. For example, "In the meeting, they express doubt about the project's feasibility." Alternative expressions include "they show uncertainty" and "they convey skepticism."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But they warn that it will cost billions of dollars to develop the vehicles, and they express doubt that consumers will accept the smaller, lighter — and in some cases, more expensive — cars that result.

The New York Times

Often they express doubt about what symptoms are to-be-expected rather than something potentially serious that they need to report to their doctors.

Huffington Post

With the help of a few writers and HuffPost contributors who have gone through periods of doubt in their own lives (some who have come back to Christianity and others who have left the faith altogether), I've put together this list of common phrases that people hear when they express doubt in their religion.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Be patient when they express doubts and ask questions, provide resources when appropriate and find ways to learn together.

Forbes

Their visions range toward the apocalyptic, but at their core they express doubts that the kind of reliability and control Arkin talks about could really be exercised over any AI, much less killer robots.

Vice

Afterward, the players tried to speak valiantly, but, just as Jagr did, they expressed doubt.

The New York Times - Sports

They expressed doubt about how soon demand would recover in hard-hit markets like France, Italy and Spain.

The New York Times

And they expressed doubt about whether the law at issue, from California, drew sensible distinctions among the games it covered.

The New York Times

"They expressed doubt, arguing that there is evidence, which we asked [them] to show us, because we stand by our targets," Lavrov said.

The Guardian

But some European officials said Friday that they were still far from green-lighting the $182 billion bailout, and they expressed doubt that Greece would be able to institute the measures in time to avert disaster.

The Washington Post

The two men -- both Democrats from New York City -- said they were open to hearing any new arguments in favor of the power shift, but they expressed doubt that the Assembly's Democratic caucus, which previously rejected the idea, would go along.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they express doubt", ensure the context clearly identifies who "they" refers to. Ambiguity can weaken the impact of your statement. For example, "Analysts express doubt about the company's long-term profitability" is much clearer than "They express doubt."

Common error

A common mistake is to use "express doubt" with a singular subject (e.g., "He express doubt"). Always ensure the verb form agrees with the subject. Use "he expresses doubt" for singular subjects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they express doubt" functions as a statement indicating a group's expression of uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts to convey a lack of confidence in a particular situation or statement. Ludwig AI considers the phrase grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they express doubt" is a grammatically correct and neutrally-registered expression used to indicate that a group of people are voicing their uncertainty or skepticism. The Ludwig AI considers it grammatically sound, and real-world examples show its prevalent use in news and media, as well as in scientific contexts. Related phrases include "they voice skepticism" and "they show uncertainty". When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who "they" refers to. Be careful not to use the phrase with singular subjects. The examples show its primary function is to convey uncertainty or skepticism, prompting re-evaluation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they show uncertainty

Focuses on the demonstration of uncertainty rather than the explicit expression of doubt.

they are skeptical

Directly states their skepticism about something.

they voice skepticism

Emphasizes the act of voicing and focuses on skepticism rather than general doubt.

they are unconvinced

States that they have not been persuaded or convinced.

they question the validity

Focuses on questioning the truth or accuracy of something.

they are dubious

Uses an adjective to describe their state of mind, indicating skepticism.

they cast aspersions

Suggests a more critical or negative form of expressing doubt, implying disparagement.

they suspect

Implies a degree of mistrust or a belief that something might be wrong.

they harbor reservations

Highlights the holding or maintaining of doubts internally.

they lack conviction

Emphasizes a lack of firm belief or certainty.

FAQs

How do I use "they express doubt" in a sentence?

Use "they express doubt" when referring to a group of people who are voicing their uncertainty or skepticism about something. For example, "After reviewing the data, they express doubt about the study's conclusions."

What can I say instead of "they express doubt"?

You can use alternatives like "they voice skepticism", "they show uncertainty", or "they are skeptical" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "they expressed doubt" or "they express doubt"?

The choice between "they expressed doubt" and "they express doubt" depends on the context's tense. Use "expressed" for past events and "express" for present or ongoing situations. For instance, "Yesterday, they expressed doubt," versus, "Currently, they express doubt."

What's the difference between "they express doubt" and "they express concerns"?

"They express doubt" indicates uncertainty or disbelief, while "they express concerns" suggests worry or unease about potential negative outcomes. The former questions validity; the latter signals apprehension.