turn skeptical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turn skeptical" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a shift in attitude or perspective towards doubt or disbelief regarding a particular situation or claim. Example: "After hearing the conflicting reports, she began to turn skeptical about the company's promises."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Never as quick to endorse a war as the enthusiastic hawks who viewed it as a cakewalk, Americans did not suddenly turn skeptical when the going got rough.

The New York Times

As Hispanic and Asian voters continue to move up the income scale, for example, more of them may turn skeptical about Democratic calls to raise taxes on the affluent.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Even Mr. Jobs, Apple's co-founder, turned skeptical about technology's ability to improve education.

The New York Times - Tech

When someone says that Shakur would be a political leader, Andre turns skeptical.

The New Yorker

But then he turned skeptical, largely because of the for-profit structure of the organization.

The New York Times - Tech

Stahl believed in the alchemical transmutation of metals early in his career but turned skeptical of alchemy later.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ramaswamy Iyer, India's water resources secretary in the 1980s, was once a big supporter of dams, but toward the end of his life he turned skeptical.

The New York Times

Ortega's wife, Murillo, emerged as his secret weapon, turning skeptical faces into friendly ones during private talks at stop after stop.

The Washington Post

In 1995, Schibsted started investing heavily in new media, and it stuck with those commitments in 2000 and 2001, when some other publishers turned skeptical.

The New York Times

Diplomats say the original French-British plan ran into trouble after Germany made clear that it was standing firm and after the United States turned skeptical about the proposed new military observers, who Washington said were unlikely to be any more successful in enforcing a cease-fire than the existing European Community observer teams.

The New York Times

The meta-ethical reflections were by turns skeptical then relativist, here naturalist and there mystical.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "turn skeptical", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is becoming doubtful about. Providing this context helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "turn skeptical" to describe an instantaneous reaction. The phrase implies a process of becoming doubtful, not a sudden disbelief. Use phrases like "become immediately suspicious" for sudden shifts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turn skeptical" functions as a predicate adjective, where "turn" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "skeptical". It describes a state of becoming doubtful, as illustrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "turn skeptical" effectively describes a gradual shift in someone's beliefs towards doubt. It functions as a predicate adjective, modifying the subject to indicate their increasing skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable, though relatively rare in occurrence. Contexts where this phrase appears include news, encyclopedias and scientific publications suggesting a generally neutral register. Related options to "turn skeptical" are "become doubtful" or "grow suspicious" depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey. Remember to use "turn skeptical" when you want to emphasize the process of becoming doubtful, not as a description of immediate distrust.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become doubtful

Implies a shift towards uncertainty or disbelief.

grow suspicious

Suggests an increasing feeling of mistrust or doubt.

start doubting

Indicates the beginning of a process of questioning or disbelieving.

lose faith in

Suggests a diminishing belief in something or someone.

become cynical

Implies adopting a pessimistic or distrustful view.

develop reservations

Suggests forming doubts or hesitations about something.

begin to distrust

Indicates the commencement of a lack of trust.

question the validity

Expresses doubt about the truth or accuracy of something.

view with suspicion

Implies examining something with a sense of distrust.

have misgivings

Suggests feelings of doubt or apprehension about something.

FAQs

How can I use "turn skeptical" in a sentence?

You can use "turn skeptical" to describe a change in attitude from believing something to doubting it. For example, "After hearing the conflicting reports, she began to turn skeptical about the company's promises."

What's a good alternative to "turn skeptical"?

Alternatives to "turn skeptical" include "become doubtful", "grow suspicious", or "start doubting" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "turn skeptical"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. "Turn" functions as a linking verb in this context, connecting the subject to the adjective "skeptical."

What is the difference between "turn skeptical" and "become skeptical"?

"Turn skeptical" implies a gradual shift toward skepticism, whereas "become skeptical" can suggest a more immediate or sudden change. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.