were doubtful

USAGE SUMMARY

"were doubtful" is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
It is often used in the past tense to express an opinion or attitude of uncertainty or doubt. For example, "The scientists were doubtful that their experiment would work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many were doubtful.

The Washington Post

They were doubtful too.

The Guardian

Others were doubtful.

The Washington Post

But many listeners were doubtful.

The New York Times

Some of the show's reviewers were doubtful.

Columbia University

The FARC fighters were doubtful, too.

The Economist

Not surprisingly many mission scientists were doubtful.

The Guardian

"They were skeptical, they were cynical, they were doubtful.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, my feelings about my own toughness levels were doubtful.

The New Yorker

They both said they were doubtful such evidence would emerge.

The New York Times

But senators were doubtful about Mr. Sullivan's assurances.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "were doubtful", consider adding a 'that'-clause or a 'whether'-clause after it to specify the object of their doubt. For example: They were doubtful that the plan would succeed.

Common error

Avoid using "was doubtful" with plural subjects. The correct form, "were doubtful", aligns with plural subjects to ensure grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were doubtful" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, indicating a state of uncertainty or skepticism experienced by a group of individuals. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms the phrase's correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were doubtful" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig confirms its correctness in written English. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media, followed by academia and science, suggesting a generally neutral register. When using "were doubtful", remember to use it with plural subjects and to clearly specify the object of their doubt. Consider alternatives like "had doubts" or "were skeptical" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were skeptical

Synonymous with "doubtful", but perhaps a slightly more formal term.

felt dubious

Uses a different adjective to convey a similar sense of uncertainty.

had doubts

Emphasizes the presence of specific doubts rather than a general state of uncertainty.

expressed skepticism

Highlights the outward expression of doubt or disbelief.

remained unconvinced

Focuses on the lack of persuasion or belief.

lacked confidence

Highlights a lack of assurance or certainty.

questioned the validity

Directly challenges the truth or accuracy of something.

did not believe

States a direct lack of belief or trust.

harbored suspicions

Suggests a stronger, more negative form of doubt.

were hesitant to accept

Focuses on reluctance and unwillingness to embrace an idea or proposition.

FAQs

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

You can use "were doubtful" to express a state of uncertainty or skepticism in the past. For example, "The experts "were doubtful" about the company's projections."

What's the difference between "were doubtful" and "were skeptical"?

"Were doubtful" and "were skeptical" are often used interchangeably, but "were skeptical" might imply a more critical or questioning attitude. Both indicate uncertainty, but skepticism suggests a tendency to disbelieve until proven otherwise.

Which is correct, "were doubtful" or "was doubtful"?

The correct usage depends on the subject. Use "were doubtful" for plural subjects (e.g., "They "were doubtful""), and "was doubtful" for singular subjects (e.g., "He "was doubtful"").

What can I say instead of "were doubtful"?

You can use alternatives like "had doubts", "remained unconvinced", or "were skeptical" depending on the context.