doubt
HighFormal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction about the truth, reality, or nature of something.
An inclination to disbelieve or question; a state of affairs or condition characterized by uncertainty; to consider something unlikely or to be uncertain about.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can refer to a state of mind (noun) or the act of holding that state (verb). Often implies a questioning that stops short of outright denial.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling and core meaning are identical. Minor differences in typical collocations and the use of subjunctive after 'doubt' are more common in AmE.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'no doubt' can be used to express strong probability rather than absolute certainty, sometimes with a slightly ironic tone.
Frequency
Comparable frequency; a common core vocabulary item in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to doubt that + clauseto doubt whether/if + clauseto doubt somethingto doubt someonethere is no doubt that + clauseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “beyond a shadow of a doubt”
- “give someone the benefit of the doubt”
- “in doubt”
- “no doubt about it”
- “without a doubt”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Expressing caution about forecasts or deal viability: 'The board voiced serious doubts about the merger's projected savings.'
Academic
Introducing a critique or alternative perspective: 'Recent findings cast doubt on the long-held theory.'
Everyday
Expressing personal uncertainty: 'I doubt it will rain today, the sky is clear.'
Technical
In legal contexts, establishing burden of proof: 'The prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I very much doubt he'll arrive on time in this weather.
- No one doubts her commitment to the project.
American English
- I doubt we'll have enough funding for the next quarter.
- Experts doubt the new policy will be effective.
adverb
British English
- She looked at him doubtfully.
- He shook his head doubtfully.
American English
- The data is doubtfully relevant.
- He answered the question doubtfully.
adjective
British English
- She gave me a doubtful look.
- The weather looks decidedly doubtful for the picnic.
American English
- He was doubtful about the team's chances.
- The plan seemed doubtful from the start.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I doubt it will rain.
- She has no doubt about the answer.
- Do you doubt me?
- There is some doubt about the time of the meeting.
- I doubt whether they can finish the work today.
- He looked at her doubtfully.
- The new evidence cast doubt on his alibi.
- I seriously doubt the accuracy of those figures.
- She was filled with doubt before making the decision.
- Notwithstanding his assurances, a lingering doubt remained in her mind.
- The verdict was reached beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Scholars have begun to express doubt about the authenticity of the manuscript.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember the silent 'b' by linking it to 'debt' – both have a silent 'b' and relate to uncertainty (doubt) or obligation (debt). Think: 'I have no doubt I owe a debt.'
Conceptual Metaphor
DOUBT IS AN OBSTACLE/BLOCK ('stumbling block of doubt'), DOUBT IS A SEED ('plant seeds of doubt'), DOUBT IS DARKNESS/CLOUD ('cloud of doubt').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'doubt' to mean simply 'think/believe' as in Russian 'я сомневаюсь, что...' which can translate as 'I doubt that...' but often is better rendered as 'I don't think that...'.
- The phrase 'no doubt' often means 'probably', not absolute certainty, unlike Russian 'без сомнения'.
- The construction 'I doubt if/whether...' is correct English, unlike the direct calque from Russian which might incorrectly use 'that'.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing the 'b' (incorrect: /daʊbt/).
- Using the wrong preposition: 'I doubt for his honesty' instead of 'I doubt his honesty' or 'I have doubts about his honesty'.
- Confusing 'doubt' (uncertainty something is true) with 'suspect' (belief something is true, often bad).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'doubt' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the 'b' is silent in both British and American English. The pronunciation is /daʊt/.
'Doubt' implies a feeling of uncertainty or disbelief about truth or factuality. 'Question' is more neutral and refers to the act of asking or inquiring, though it can also imply challenging something.
It is grammatical but uncommon in native speech for a single instance of uncertainty. 'I have a doubt' is more typical in Indian English. In BrE/AmE, 'I have a question' or 'I'm not sure' is more common, or 'I have doubts (plural)' for general uncertainty.
Common structures are: 1) doubt + that-clause (often in negative/positive contexts: 'I don't doubt that...'), 2) doubt + whether/if-clause (for expressing uncertainty), 3) doubt + direct object ('I doubt his motives').