we suspect

USAGE SUMMARY

'we suspect' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are making an educated guess about something. For example: "We suspect the house was built in the early 19th century."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We suspect not.

The New York Times - Science

We suspect it was affectation.

Independent

We suspect he did.

The New York Times - Sports

Puzzled, we suspect.

The New York Times

Sadly, we suspect not.

The Guardian

Eventually, we suspect.

The Guardian - Music

"We suspect each other".

The New York Times

We suspect not," he said.

Stanford University

We suspect she'll accept that status.

The Washington Post

But somehow, we suspect, we do.

The Guardian - Books

We suspect this will run and run.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we suspect" when you have a reason to believe something, but lack concrete proof. It acknowledges uncertainty while conveying your informed opinion.

Common error

Avoid using "we suspect" when you have definitive evidence. Using a more assertive phrase like "we know" or "we have confirmed" would be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we suspect" functions as a declarative statement expressing a belief or assumption based on available information but lacking definitive proof. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showcasing examples where "we suspect" introduces a reasoned but not fully confirmed conclusion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we suspect" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey an educated guess or belief, as Ludwig AI confirms. It’s important to use this phrase when you have reasons to believe something, but lack hard evidence. The contexts where you are most likely to find "we suspect" are News & Media and Science, which contributes to it having a neutral to professional register. While it is correct, avoid using "we suspect" when the situation requires a more assertive term like "we know", as that can create uncertainty where there shouldn't be one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is our suspicion

Rephrases the sentiment to emphasize the noun form of suspicion.

we believe

Shifts from suspicion to a more confident belief, though still not a certainty.

we are inclined to think

Expresses a leaning towards a particular belief or opinion.

we think

A more general term for expressing an opinion or belief.

it seems likely to us

Indicates a probability or likelihood based on available information.

we surmise

Implies a more formal and intellectual form of guessing, often based on incomplete evidence.

we infer

Suggests drawing a conclusion based on evidence or reasoning.

we assume

Suggests taking something for granted without proof.

we gather

Implies collecting information to form an opinion.

our hypothesis is

Frames the statement in a scientific context, suggesting a testable explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "we suspect" in a sentence?

You can use "we suspect" to express a belief or educated guess about something. For example, "We suspect foul play in this situation".

What are some alternatives to "we suspect"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "we believe", "we think", or "it is our suspicion".

Is it appropriate to use "we suspect" in formal writing?

Yes, "we suspect" is appropriate for formal writing when you want to express a considered opinion without definitive proof. The level of formality will also depend on your audience and document type.

What's the difference between "we suspect" and "we know"?

"We suspect" indicates an assumption or educated guess based on available information, while "we know" implies certainty based on concrete evidence. Using the correct phrase will ensure your audience knows whether you are certain or uncertain of something.