doubt

 

Many students online email me with their "doubts" about English grammar or pronunciation. When you have a doubt, you are unsure about something, or you don’t believe that something is true:

  • Jennifer has her doubts about her daughter’s decision to get married.
  • The teacher has some doubts about the new textbook she’s using.
  • This is, without a doubt, the best pie you have ever made.
  • There’s no doubt about it–this company is going to have a large profit this year.

The word "doubt" is often used as a verb:

  • Tom doubts his ability to fix his own car; that’s why he takes it to a mechanic.
  • The tellers at the bank doubted the identity of a customer, so they asked him for some I.D.
  • I’ll never doubt you again!
  • I’m sorry I doubted you.

mechanicTom never doubts his mechanic is telling him the truth about his car.

Note: The "b" in the word "doubt" is silent.

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This page was originally published on November 27, 2011.

Updated on December 11, 2018