to doubt something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to doubt something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing uncertainty or lack of belief regarding a particular idea, statement, or situation. Example: "I tend to doubt something when there is insufficient evidence to support it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Unfortunately, we have some notable examples of when data either led people to believe in something that was not true or, conversely, led people to doubt something that was true.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sometimes a cleverly constructed comment or argument can make you doubt something you innately know to be true.

Huffington Post

I sincerely doubt something like this would happen any time soon, if ever, but I'd fully support it.

TechCrunch

The research on the impact on recidivism of post-release college education is limited, but there's p​lenty of evidence that inmates who pursue a college education while in prison are dramatically less likely to reoffend, and little reason to doubt that something similar would hold true for post-release prisoners.

Vice

If your doubting something, just think, what's the worst that can happen.

WikiHow

Those details gave city residents reason to doubt her abilities, something even her biggest supporters have conceded.

HuffPost

It seems that blogs are still new enough that skepticism about their authenticity has not yet set in. Steve Rubel of New York, who writes the blog Micro Persuasion, said he thought that veteran blog readers were more likely than newcomers to doubt the veracity of something they read on a blog.

The New York Times - Tech

Snow in Sun also contains a promise: "You will never need to doubt me/There'll be something good about me/Soon". As much as it is the rhapsody of someone reborn through true love, White Bread is threaded with leitmotifs of shame, unworthiness and stagnation.

The Guardian - Music

"Snow in Sun," for example, is an affecting promise made to someone who is "brave": "You will never be without me, you will never need to doubt me, there'll be something good about me soon".

The New Yorker

Like many schools, it said that it was merely trying to construct the most talented and most diverse class of freshman that it could, and there's no doubt something to this.

HuffPost

The problem is "you have to prove beyond reasonable doubt something which happens in private between two people.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "to doubt something", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being doubted and why. Providing a reason or evidence for your doubt strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "to doubt something" in situations where there is no logical basis for your doubt. Unfounded doubt can weaken your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to doubt something" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of uncertainty or disbelief. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English, indicating a questioning stance towards a specific subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to doubt something" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express uncertainty or skepticism. As Ludwig AI states, it's a phrase that indicates a questioning stance towards a specific subject. It's appropriate for a range of contexts, as evidenced by its presence in news articles, academic papers, and general writing. When using this phrase, it's important to provide context or evidence to support your doubt, avoiding unfounded skepticism. Alternatives like "to question something" or "to have reservations about something" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, followed by academia and wiki sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To question something

Focuses on the act of inquiring or investigating rather than outright disbelief.

To have reservations about something

Implies a feeling of unease or hesitation regarding something.

To be skeptical of something

Emphasizes a general tendency to doubt or disbelieve.

To mistrust something

Suggests a lack of trust or confidence in something.

To disbelieve something

Indicates a firm rejection of the truth or validity of something.

To be dubious about something

Highlights a state of uncertainty or suspicion.

To harbor doubts about something

Emphasizes the act of holding onto or entertaining doubts.

To have misgivings about something

Implies a feeling of apprehension or anxiety about something.

To find something questionable

Focuses on the perception of something as being doubtful or suspect.

To take something with a grain of salt

Suggests not accepting something at face value and maintaining a degree of skepticism.

FAQs

How can I use "to doubt something" in a sentence?

You can use "to doubt something" to express uncertainty or skepticism about a statement, idea, or situation. For example, "I tend to to doubt something when there is insufficient evidence to support it."

What are some alternatives to "to doubt something"?

Alternatives include "to question something", "to have reservations about something", or "to be skeptical of something", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "to doubt something" or "to question something"?

"To doubt something" implies a degree of disbelief, whereas "to question something" suggests an inquiry or examination without necessarily implying disbelief. The choice depends on the specific context and the level of skepticism you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "to doubt something" in writing?

Use "to doubt something" when you have valid reasons to be uncertain or skeptical. Provide context or evidence to support your doubt and avoid using it in situations where your doubt is unfounded or based on personal biases.