when doubts come up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when doubts come up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations where uncertainty or questions arise. Example: "When doubts come up, it's important to seek clarification and address any concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

When the voices of doubt come up, having a support structure in place helps us to align ourselves with that which is in the process of becoming.

Forbes

Politicians will no doubt come up with all manner of responses over the weeks to come.

The Economist

That's when doubts came creeping in.

The Guardian - Travel

As managers and mentors, we frequently encounter situations like these, when we come up against the limiting voices of self-doubt in the people we support.

Harvard Business Review

No doubt, the question will come up when Dorsey takes the stage later in the conference, and he'll insist again how doable two all-consuming jobs are.

TechCrunch

"The willingness of the I.A.E.A. to give Iraq the benefit of the doubt when it could not come up with specific evidence to contradict Iraq's claims, that gives me real concerns as to how strong a chief inspector he can be," Mr. Leventhal said.

The New York Times

Clarify that you understand that fears and self-doubts will naturally come up when your team members or mentees grow into new roles, take on greater responsibility, or speak up.

Harvard Business Review

She said he did not mention right away that he was a former major leaguer, but she had no reason to doubt him when it came up.

The New York Times - Sports

When you face opposition, these objections can come up when people doubt your capabilities.

HuffPost

This time, many doubt the Legislature is ready to take drastic measures to reduce state spending in a year when all 212 seats come up for election.

The New York Times

Wolff, though, says he doubts Oakland can come up with a credible plan.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when doubts come up" to signal a transition in your writing, introducing a consideration of potential uncertainties or counterarguments. Make it clear how you intend to address these doubts to maintain reader confidence.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "when doubts come up" can sound slightly informal in academic or professional writing. Opt for alternatives like "when uncertainties arise" or "should questions emerge" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when doubts come up" functions as an adverbial clause of time, setting a temporal condition for the main clause. It indicates the specific time or situation in which the action of the main clause occurs. Although the phrase is listed as correct by Ludwig AI, it has limited examples which impacts analysis.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when doubts come up" is a grammatically correct adverbial clause that introduces a temporal condition marked by uncertainty. Despite being deemed correct by Ludwig AI, its limited usage across various contexts, particularly in academic and scientific fields, suggests a need for caution in formal writing. Consider more sophisticated alternatives like "when uncertainties arise" for a polished tone. The phrase is appropriate for acknowledging potential issues before addressing them, but be mindful of the register and ensure clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when uncertainties arise

Replaces "doubts" with "uncertainties" offering a more formal synonym.

when questions emerge

Substitutes "doubts" with "questions" focusing on the act of questioning.

as doubts surface

Replaces "come up" with "surface" indicating a more gradual appearance of doubt.

if doubts arise

Changes the temporal "when" to a conditional "if", altering the nuance from expected to potential.

when skepticism arises

Replaces "doubts" with "skepticism", implying a questioning attitude.

when misgivings occur

Uses "misgivings" instead of "doubts", suggesting feelings of apprehension.

as reservations emerge

Replaces "doubts" with "reservations", indicating a withholding of complete approval.

should doubts arise

Combines the conditional "should" with "arise", creating a formal and less direct tone.

in moments of doubt

Restructures the phrase to focus on the timing within "moments of doubt" instead of their emergence.

when apprehensions surface

Employs "apprehensions" instead of "doubts", highlighting a sense of anxiety or fear.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "when doubts come up" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "when uncertainties arise", "should questions emerge", or "if doubts arise" depending on the context.

Is "when doubts come up" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "when doubts come up" may sound slightly informal for academic writing. Consider alternatives like "when uncertainties arise" to maintain a formal tone.

What's the difference between "when doubts come up" and "if doubts arise"?

"When doubts come up" suggests that doubts are expected to occur. "If doubts arise", on the other hand, presents the emergence of doubts as a hypothetical situation.

What are some synonyms for "doubts" I can use in "when doubts come up"?

Consider using synonyms like "uncertainties", "questions", "skepticism", or "misgivings" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.