this is suspicious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is suspicious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or concern about a situation or behavior that seems unusual or questionable. Example: "The sudden change in his story makes me think that this is suspicious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The staff thought, wait a minute, this is suspicious".

The Guardian

"The timing of this is suspicious," said a man who identified himself as Wang, 35, a lifelong neighborhood resident who wondered whether the assailant intended to disrupt the Olympics.

The New York Times - Sports

This is suspicious because this could imply that some of these genes are recent pseudogenes.

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This was suspicious of a descemetocele due to severe keratoconus or corneal ectasia.

BMC Ophthalmology

Byron himself, as he makes clear in this poem, is suspicious of writers defined entirely by their art.

The Guardian - Books

Thailand's natural resources and environment minister, Vichet Kasemthongsri, was previously chairman of the board at PTT. "Everything about this issue is suspicious," Mr. Ply said.

The New York Times

Though he experienced it firsthand, however, Mr. Kaufman, 44, is suspicious of this kind of story.

The New York Times

Maccabee, author of "The FBI-CIA-UFO Connection" (Richard Dolan Press), is suspicious about this meteor-orb video.

Huffington Post

Everybody is suspicious".

The New York Times

Difference is suspicious.

The Guardian - Opinion

Turning serious, he said: "I will say this: I am suspicious of hype.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "this is suspicious", clearly articulate the reason for your suspicion to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "this is suspicious", say "the fact that he suddenly changed his alibi is suspicious".

Common error

Avoid repeatedly using "this is suspicious" without providing specific reasons or evidence. Overuse can weaken your argument and make you sound paranoid rather than analytical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is suspicious" functions as an evaluative statement. It expresses a subjective assessment of a situation, action, or piece of information, indicating that it raises doubts or concerns. As noted by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. The phrase highlights a potential deviation from what is expected or considered normal.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is suspicious" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable way to express doubt or concern regarding a potentially questionable scenario. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, primarily within News & Media and Scientific domains. While versatile, it's important to articulate the reasons behind your suspicion to add clarity and prevent misunderstandings. Alternatives like "this is questionable" or "this raises red flags" can offer nuanced expressions of skepticism, depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is questionable

Replaces "suspicious" with "questionable", indicating something is open to doubt or not fully accepted.

this is dubious

Substitutes "suspicious" with "dubious", suggesting a stronger sense of doubt about the truth or quality of something.

this raises red flags

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey that something is a warning sign or cause for alarm.

this appears doubtful

Replaces "is suspicious" with "appears doubtful", making the statement slightly more formal.

this seems fishy

Replaces "suspicious" with the informal term "fishy", implying something is not right or honest.

this doesn't add up

Expresses that facts or details do not logically connect or make sense together.

this looks shady

Uses "shady" instead of "suspicious", suggesting something is dishonest or illegal.

this feels off

Offers a more subjective assessment using "feels off", implying something is not quite right based on intuition.

this gives me pause

Indicates that something is causing hesitation or concern, prompting further consideration.

this is subject to scrutiny

Implies that something warrants careful and critical examination.

FAQs

How can I use "this is suspicious" in a sentence?

You can use "this is suspicious" to express doubt or concern about something that seems unusual or questionable. For example, "The timing of his resignation "this is suspicious" because it happened right after the audit was announced."

What are some alternatives to saying "this is suspicious"?

Alternatives include phrases like "this is questionable", "this raises red flags", or "this seems fishy", depending on the context and level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "this is suspicious"?

It's appropriate to use "this is suspicious" when you observe something that deviates from the norm or raises doubts about someone's intentions or the validity of a situation. Always provide context or reasoning to support your statement.

What's the difference between "this is suspicious" and "this is strange"?

"This is strange" simply indicates something is odd or unusual, while ""this is suspicious"" implies a potential for wrongdoing or hidden motives. Suspicion suggests a deeper level of concern than mere strangeness.