under doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

"under doubt" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something is being questioned, not necessarily believed to be true. For example: "The accuracy of his statement was under doubt, so the police continued their investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

However when the drug's safety came under doubt Elan's shares sank from more than €20 each, on concerns it will not be able to repay its debt.

The Guardian - Business

I think it is an absolute tragedy the Conservative party, with its great traditions and great history, should in the 21st century be calling that great [European convention] and the act that underpins it in our own law under doubt.

The Guardian

Given the heavy artillery and fighters seen streaming into the region recently, the future of the shaky truce seems very much under doubt at the moment.

BBC

"I was a little bit under doubt before, but I think I played without making too many mistakes and the only way to get better is to win more matches so it will probably help me," said Nadal.

BBC

We can't operate under doubt and fear, but with compassion and love".

Vice

However, their hopes of moving to the stadium have since been placed under doubt following a challenge by Leyton Orient, fearful that having West Ham playing less than a mile away from their Brisbane Road ground could steal support from the club and put them out of business.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The Committee agreed that a line needed to be drawn under doubts about UK banks' capital adequacy.

The Guardian - Business

Meanwhile, the other hand, the left one (which is right under doubting Thomas's heaven-pointed finger), goes for the dinner roll.

The New York Times - Books

Sales of its Vytorin cholesterol pill, produced with Schering-Plough, have crashed under doubts about its effectiveness at preventing heart attacks.

Forbes

"No one should be under any doubt - prisoners are not getting the vote under this government," he told MPs.

BBC

Be under no doubt, we are coming for you".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under doubt" when you want to express that something's validity or certainty is being questioned.

Common error

Avoid using "under doubt" interchangeably with phrases like "beyond a doubt". "Under doubt" implies uncertainty, while "beyond a doubt" signifies certainty. Using the wrong preposition can completely alter the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under doubt" functions as a postmodifier, typically describing the state of a noun. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates that something is being questioned and its validity is uncertain. It's used to express that the certainty or reliability of something is not assured.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under doubt" is grammatically correct and functions to express uncertainty or the questioning of something's validity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is valid in written English, indicating that something's certainty is being challenged. While not overly common, it appears most frequently in news and media and scientific contexts. When using "under doubt", ensure it accurately conveys the intended meaning of uncertainty, and consider context-appropriate alternatives like "in question" or "subject to scrutiny" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in doubt

A more concise version of the original phrase.

in question

Focuses on the aspect of being questioned or debated.

subject to scrutiny

Highlights the act of being closely examined or investigated.

open to debate

Emphasizes the possibility of differing opinions and arguments.

uncertain

Conveys a general sense of not being sure or definite.

dubious

Implies a feeling of skepticism or disbelief.

questionable

Suggests that something is not entirely honest, reliable, or moral.

in dispute

Highlights the existence of a disagreement or controversy.

contested

Focuses on the act of actively challenging or opposing something.

up for discussion

Suggests that a topic is being considered and evaluated.

FAQs

How can I use "under doubt" in a sentence?

You can use "under doubt" to indicate that something is being questioned or its validity is uncertain. For example, "The accuracy of the witness's statement came "under doubt" after new evidence surfaced."

What's the difference between "in doubt" and "under doubt"?

While both phrases suggest uncertainty, "in doubt" generally refers to a state of uncertainty, while "under doubt" implies that something is being actively questioned or challenged. They are very similar and in most context the meaning is the same.

Are there situations where using "under doubt" is not appropriate?

While grammatically correct, "under doubt" might sound slightly formal in very casual conversation. In such scenarios, simpler alternatives like "questionable" or "uncertain" might be more fitting.

What can I say instead of "under doubt"?

You can use alternatives like "in question", "subject to scrutiny", or "open to debate" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.