was doubtful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'was doubtful' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express that something is uncertain, or unlikely. Example: She was doubtful that she would be able to pass her exam without extra help.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Murray said it was doubtful that he would add a player via the draft.

Los Angeles Times

But Heffernan was doubtful.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Csoka was doubtful.

The New York Times

But Becca was doubtful.

The Washington Post

Her editor was doubtful.

The Guardian - Books

She was doubtful.

The New York Times

Con was doubtful.

The New Yorker

At first Bruno was doubtful.

The New Yorker

Suzanne Krause, a psychotherapist, was doubtful.

The New Yorker

Ms. Kozloff, for one, was doubtful.

The New York Times

"Initially, I was doubtful about the conspiracy theories.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was doubtful" to express a moderate level of uncertainty or skepticism. It's stronger than "was unsure" but less definitive than "was certain it wouldn't happen".

Common error

In highly formal or academic writing, consider stronger, more precise alternatives like "questioned the validity of", "expressed reservations about", or "found unconvincing". "Was doubtful" can sometimes sound too informal for certain contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was doubtful" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying the subject of a sentence to express a state of uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in English, indicating its acceptance in standard grammatical structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was doubtful" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. Its prevalence in diverse sources, including News & Media and scientific publications, underscores its broad applicability. While suitable for most contexts, writers should consider more formal alternatives for highly academic or professional settings. The phrase functions as a predicative adjective, conveying a lack of conviction regarding a particular subject or situation. Its frequent usage solidifies its place as a common and easily understood expression of doubt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was dubious

A more formal synonym, indicating uncertainty or hesitation.

had doubts

Focuses on the existence of uncertainty rather than expressing it directly as a state.

was unconvinced

Highlights the lack of persuasion or belief.

remained unconvinced

Suggests a continued state of disbelief or lack of persuasion.

felt uncertain

Highlights the feeling of uncertainty, emphasizing the emotional aspect.

was skeptical

Emphasizes a questioning attitude and a tendency to disbelieve.

was hesitant

Emphasizes the reluctance or unwillingness to believe or accept something.

questioned the likelihood

Specifically addresses the probability of something happening.

expressed reservations

Focuses on the act of voicing concerns or doubts.

viewed with suspicion

Implies a distrustful perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "was doubtful" in a sentence?

You can use "was doubtful" to express uncertainty or skepticism about something. For example, "She was doubtful that the project would succeed given the limited resources".

What's a more formal alternative to "was doubtful"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "was skeptical", "expressed reservations", or "remained unconvinced".

Is it grammatically correct to say "was doubtful about"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. You can follow "was doubtful" with "about" and the object of your doubt, like "He was doubtful about the accuracy of the report".

What's the difference between "was doubtful" and "was suspicious"?

"Was doubtful" indicates uncertainty or lack of confidence, while "was suspicious" implies a belief that something is wrong or dishonest. "She was doubtful that he was telling the truth" expresses uncertainty, whereas "She was suspicious of his motives" suggests she believed he was being dishonest.