2022-02-12 ศัพท์ น่าสับสน - Set – D - Doubt it & doubt whether & doubt that

Revision D

2022-02-12

ศัพท์ น่าสับสน - Set – D - Doubt it & doubt whether & doubt that

แนะนำการใช้ ตามที่ส่วนใหญ่ใช้ แต่ละท้องถิ่น 

ความหมาย อาจผันแปร ตาม ตำแหน่ง/หน้าที่ ในประโยค

 

Dictionary.com:

ออกเสียง doubt = “DOUT”

 

Dictionary of Problem Words and Expressions:

Doubt it & doubt whether & doubt that

Both doubt and doubtful are often followed 

by clauses introduced by if, whether, and that.

 

A choice among the three 

depends upon the kindof sentence involved. 

That is used when a negative or interrogative idea is involved: 

“There is little doubt that you are mistaken.”

“Can you any longer be doubtful that you are mistaken?

 

Whether is used in statements conveying genuine doubt and uncertainty: 

“It is doubtful whether he will live.”

“They doubt whether he was ever there.”

If is usually to be avoided after both doubt and doubtful,

although some accomplished speakers feel that

 if and whether are interchangeable.

 

Since the use of if is debatable in doubt constructions

and the use of whether is limited, why not always use that? 

 

Common Errors in English Usage Dictionary:

DOUBT THAT & DOUBT WHETHER & DOUBT IF

If you really doubt that something is true (suspect that it’s false), 

use “doubt that”: 

“I doubt that Fred has really lost 25 pounds.” 

 

If you want to express uncertainty, use “whether”: 

“I doubt whether we’ll see the comet if the clouds don’t clear soon.”

 “Doubt if” can be substituted for “doubt whether,”

though it’s considered somewhat more casual, 

but don’t use it when you mean “doubt that.”

 

Dictionary.com: & Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary

USAGE NOTE FOR DOUBT

Doubt and doubtful may be followed by a subordinate clause 

beginning with that, whether, or if: 

I doubt that (or whether or if ) the story is true. 

It is doubtful that (or whether or if ) the story is true. 

There is some doubt that (or whether or if ) the story is true. 

In negative or interrogative sentences, 

that almost always introduces the subordinate clause: 

I do not doubt that the story is true. 

Is it doubtful that the story is true? 

Is there any doubt that the story is true?

 

The expressions doubt but and doubt but that 

occur in all varieties of standard speech and writing: 

I don't doubt but she is sincere. 

There is no doubt but that the charges will affect his career. 

Doubt but what occurs mainly in informal speech and writing: 

There is no doubt but what the rainy weather will hurt the crops.

 

Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

Choose the Right Synonym for doubt

Noun

Uncertainty, Doubt, Dubiety, Skepticism, Suspicion, Mistrust 

mean lack of sureness about someone or something.

Uncertainty may range from a falling short of certainty 

to an almost complete lack of conviction or knowledge 

especially about an outcome or result.  

assumed the role of manager without hesitation or uncertainty

Doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.  

plagued by doubts as to what to do

Dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.  

felt some dubiety about its practicality

Skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.  

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

Suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.  

regarded the stranger with suspicion

Mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion.  

had a great mistrust of doctors 

 

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language:

doubt′er n.

Usage Note: 

The choice of what conjunction to use following doubt and doubtful 

is a perennial usage problem. 

When doubt and doubtful indicate strong uncertainty, 

the Usage Panel prefers whether and that over if. 

In our 2008 survey, 51 percent indicated that 

they would use that, while 43 percent preferred whether 

in the following sentence: 

At one time it was doubtful [that/whether/if] 

the company could recover from its financial difficulties, 

but the government loan seems to have helped. 

Only 6 percent said they would favor if in this sentence, 

probably because if has a more informal tone. 

When the expectation for the outcome is negative, 

that tends to be used. 

Some 86 percent of the Panel prefer that in the sentence 

I doubt [that/whether/if] it will rain tomorrow 

(where the expectation is that it probably won't rain), 

with whether getting the preference of only 6 percent 

and if getting 7 percent. 

 

Note that, in certain kinds of sentences, 

the choice of conjunction can carry subtle differences in implication. 

That is the best choice when the truth of the clause following doubt 

is assumed, as in negative sentences and questions. 

Thus I never doubted for a minute that I would be rescued 

implies "I was certain that I would be rescued." 

 

By the same token, 

Do you doubt that you will be paid? 

may be understood as a rhetorical question 

meaning "Surely you believe that you will be paid," 

 

whereas Do you doubt whether you will be paid? 

expresses a genuine request for information 

(and might be followed by 

Because if you do, you should make the client post a bond). 

 

Note that it is also acceptable to omit that in these sentences: 

I doubt she will accept the nomination. 

In other cases, however, 

this distinction between whether and that is not always observed. 

 

· When doubt is negated to indicate belief or certainty, 

the clause following doubt 

is sometimes introduced with but that or simply but, 

as in I do not doubt but that they will come. 

 

This construction has been used by many fine writers, 

but some critics object to its use in formal writing. 

Dropping the but easily solves this problem. 

See Usage Notes at but, if.

 

Collins English Dictionary:

doubtable adj

doubtably adv

doubter n

doubtingly adv

Usage: 

Where a clause follows doubt in a positive sentence, 

it was formerly considered correct to use whether 

(I doubt whether he will come ), 

but now if and that are also acceptable. 

 

In negative statements, 

doubt is followed by that: 

I do not doubt that he is telling the truth. 

In such sentences, 

but (I do not doubt but that he is telling the truth) is redundant

 

 

Collins COBUILD English Usage:

Doubt can be a noun or a verb.

1. 'doubt' used as a noun

If you have a doubt or doubts about something, 

you feel uncertain about it and you don't know if it is true or possible.

I had moments of doubt.

The report raises doubts about current methods.

 

2. 'no doubt'

If you have no doubts about something, 

you are certain that it is true.

Francesca had no doubts about the outcome of the trial.

If you say there is no doubt that something is true, 

you mean that it is certainly true.

There's no doubt that it's going to be difficult.

 

You must use a that-clause after there is no doubt. 

Don't use an if-clause or a whether-clause.

 

You add no doubt to a statement 

to say that you are assuming that something is true, 

although you can't really be certain about it.

As Jennifer has no doubt told you, we are leaving tomorrow.

The contract for this will no doubt be widely advertised.

 

3. 'doubt' used as a verb

If you doubt whether something is true or possible, 

you think it is probably not true or possible.

I doubt whether it would work.

I doubt if Alan will meet her.

 

If someone says that something is true, 

or asks you if something is true, 

you can show that you think it is unlikely by saying I doubt it.

'Do your family know you're here?' – 'I doubt it.'

Be Careful!
Don't say 'I doubt so'.