with doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with doubt" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express uncertainty or lack of trust in something. For example, "He was filled with doubt when the stranger asked for his phone number."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So we're just left with doubt.

The New York Times - Arts

Meanwhile faith itself is riddled with doubt.

The New York Times - Books

"From adolescence you're wracked with doubt.

The New York Times - Arts

Their path to the final is littered with doubt.

Independent

Never mind that he himself seems quite comfortable with doubt.

The New York Times - Books

The purpose of the pyromaniac pastime becomes smoky with doubt.

The New York Times - Arts

After hanging up, though, I was flooded with doubt.

The New York Times

Players playing with doubt is a dangerous thing.

The Guardian - Sport

Sometimes breathless optimism comes tempered with doubt or irony.

The Guardian - Arts

His voice is halting and soft, punctuated with doubt.

The New York Times

But what, pray, does the Catholic church want with doubt?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with doubt" to express uncertainty or a lack of confidence in a statement, action, or belief. For example, "She viewed the proposal with doubt, questioning its feasibility".

Common error

Avoid using "with doubt" when you mean "without a doubt". "With doubt" expresses uncertainty, while "without a doubt" expresses certainty. For example, say "He is without a doubt the best candidate", not "He is with doubt the best candidate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with doubt" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it describes the manner in which an action is performed or a state is experienced, expressing a feeling of uncertainty or skepticism. For example, "He viewed the proposal with doubt".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "with doubt" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that modifies verbs or clauses, expressing uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, be careful not to confuse it with the opposite phrase "without a doubt". Utilizing examples from authoritative sources, this analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of its function, purpose, and appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with skepticism

A direct synonym, replacing "doubt" with "skepticism" while maintaining the prepositional structure.

filled with uncertainty

Emphasizes the feeling of uncertainty as a prominent emotion.

harboring doubts

Changes the structure to a verb phrase indicating the act of possessing doubts.

skeptically

Replaces the prepositional phrase with an adverb, focusing on a general attitude of skepticism.

dubiously

Similar to "skeptically", but may suggest slight suspicion or hesitation.

incredulously

Changes the expression to an adverb, emphasizing disbelief in the manner of perception.

uncertainly

Shifts the focus to a lack of sureness or confidence.

questioningly

Focuses on the act of questioning or expressing doubt through inquiry.

in a state of uncertainty

Expands to a longer phrase emphasizing the condition of being unsure.

hesitantly

Implies a pause or reluctance due to uncertainty.

FAQs

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

Use "with doubt" to express uncertainty or skepticism about something. For example, "The expert viewed the evidence "with doubt"." It indicates a questioning or distrustful perspective.

What are some alternatives to using "with doubt"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "with skepticism", "dubiously", or "uncertainly" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "with doubt" or "without doubt"?

"With doubt" and "without doubt" have opposite meanings. "With doubt" implies uncertainty, while "without doubt" means certainty. Make sure to use the correct phrase to accurately express your intended meaning.

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

"With doubt" describes how someone views something (e.g., "He examined the results with doubt"), while "in doubt" describes the state of something being uncertain or questionable (e.g., "The outcome is in doubt").