How to Express Doubt in English
Hello English learners. Welcome to a new lesson. Today, we will look at some useful vocabulary and phrases you need to express doubt in English which can be beneficial when you are taking part in dialogues. Knowing these phrases will enable you to express your reservation, doubt and uncertainty and promote critical thinking.
Here is the list:
1. I’m not sure/certain
2. I’m not convinced
3. As far as I know
4. I have a doubt/my doubts
5. I’m hesitant to believe
6. I am doubtful about
7. I am not confident
8. As likely as not
9. In doubt/doubtful
10. Check up on something
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I’m not sure/certain
Meaning: we can use the phrase to express a lower level of certainty and doubt about something.
- I’m not sure Jill should marry David. She doesn’t seem ready for marriage.
- I’m not sure what you said is right.
- I’m not certain I want to go and live in another country.
You can add modifiers to the phrases – I’m not quite/totally/entirely sure.
I’m not convinced
Meaning: We can use the phrase to express our reservations about some idea, proposal, suggestion or similar.
- I am not quite convinced that we should go on with this plan.
- I’m not entirely convinced that Mary is an adequate person for this post.
How to Express Doubt in English
As far as I know
Meaning: we can use the expression to say that we are not sure about something and that we could be wrong.
- As far as I know, Michael hasn’t returned from London yet.
- Money hasn’t been credited to our account yet, as far as I know. I may be wrong, though.
I have a doubt/my doubts
Meaning: if we have doubts about something, we are uncertain about it and we are not sure whether it is possible or true.
- I have a doubt that we’ll be able to meet the deadline.
- You may be right. However, I have my doubts.
I’m hesitant to believe
Meaning: if you are hesitant, you feel uncertain about something. You can use the phrase to express your disbelief or scepticism.
- I am hesitant to believe that we will get a bonus at the end of the year.
- The president is hesitant to believe that the peace treaty will last.
I am doubtful about
Meaning: you can use the phrase to say that you are not sure about something.
- Charles liked the idea but Helen was a bit doubtful about it.
- I am doubtful about whether we will ever see our missing dog again.
I am not confident
Meaning: you can use the phrase when you want to express uncertainty and doubt.
- The Minister was not confident about winning another mandate.
- I don’t feel very confident about the outcome of the negotiations.
How to Express Doubt in English
As likely as not
Meaning: probably.
- As likely as not, Monica has forgotten about her promise to help us move.
- The incident will, as likely as not end up at court, I’m afraid.
In doubt/doubtful
Meaning: if you are in doubt or doubtful, you are uncertain about something.
- Fiona was in doubt about whether to call her lawyer.
- Shelly was doubtful about accepting another job.
Check up on
Meaning: if you doubt someone or something you can check out on them in order to find out if the things are as they should be.
- The newspaper reporter called me to check up on some information related to the accident.
- The doctor called every day to check up on the patient.
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