Doubt

Word of the Day

doubt

Use the word "doubt" if you aren’t sure if something is true or correct.

In these sentences, "doubt" is a verb:

I doubt he’s telling the truth. I think he’s lying.
Almost everyone doubts John’s story about the size of the fish he caught.
Tina’s parents never doubted that she was telling the truth about what she saw.
Mary doubts herself all the time.
Joseph doubts his chances of finding a job.

In these sentences, "doubt" is a noun:

There are many doubts about his abilities as a leader of this company.
Doubts about the man’s background led to his arrest. It turned out he was a criminal.
We have some doubt that this plan will work.
Their future together as a couple is in doubt.
I’ve had some doubts about you, but it looks like I was wrong.

Add "ful" to the word "doubt" to make the adjective, "doubtful."

It’s doubtful that he’ll get the position.
The chances for precipitation this weekend are doubtful.
A doubtful police officer listened to the driver explain why he was speeding.

Note: As you have probably noticed, the "b" in this word is silent.

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Published on January 9, 2013