doubt
doubt — 名詞
1. a situation where you are not sure if something is true, accurate, or will happe
疑慮;不確定
對某事真實性或正確性不確定的感覺
a situation where you are not sure if something is true, accurate, or will happen as expected
The journalist expressed doubt about the accuracy of the official report.
那位記者對官方報告的準確性表示懷疑。
express doubt about [something]
There is still considerable doubt among climate scientists regarding the rate of sea-level rise.
氣候科學家之間對於海平面上升的速度仍存在相當大的不確定性。
there is doubt among [group] regarding [topic]
The student had serious doubts about whether her college application would be accepted.
那名學生對自己的大學申請是否會被錄取感到十分懷疑。
A small doubt crept into the manager's mind as she reviewed the contract one more time.
經理再次審查合約時,心中悄悄浮現了一絲疑慮。
- uncertainty
more general and can be factual; 'doubt' implies personal questioning
- skepticism
more intellectual and deliberate; 'doubt' can be more emotional
- hesitation
focuses on unwillingness to act; 'doubt' focuses on lack of belief
- certainty
complete confidence in the truth of something
- conviction
a strong, firmly held belief
用法筆記
Commonly used in the plural (doubts) when referring to multiple specific uncertainties. Frequently followed by 'about', 'regarding', or 'as to'.
常見錯誤
2. used to express your belief that a statement or prediction is accurate or likely
想必;無疑
確信某事為真或很可能發生的說法
used to express your belief that a statement or prediction is accurate or likely, even when you cannot prove it
No doubt you have already heard the news about the company merger.
想必你已經聽說公司合併的消息了。
No doubt + past perfect — confident assumption
The director will no doubt be satisfied with the final version of the film.
導演想必會對電影的最終版本感到滿意。
will no doubt — confident prediction
There is no doubt that regular exercise improves both physical and mental health.
毫無疑問,規律運動能改善身心健康。
The committee will no doubt want to study the budget proposal before making a decision.
委員會想必會在做出決定之前先仔細研究預算提案。
- undoubtedly
stronger and more formal; expresses complete certainty
- surely
more subjective; expresses the speaker's own expectation
- doubtless
more literary and slightly old-fashioned
文法句型
no doubt + that-clause
no doubt + clause
There is no doubt that…
用法筆記
'No doubt' can express genuine certainty OR a slightly sarcastic or ironic tone depending on context, but the neutral tone is most common for learners. It is softer than 'without doubt' and more tentative than 'undoubtedly'.
常見錯誤
3. to make people feel uncertain about the truth, value, or reliability of somethin
質疑;起疑
讓人對某事的真實性或可靠性產生懷疑
to make people feel uncertain about the truth, value, or reliability of something, usually by presenting new information or asking difficult questions
New evidence has cast doubt on the original conclusions of the research paper.
新證據讓人們對那篇研究論文的原始結論產生了懷疑。
cast doubt on [evidence/conclusions]
The accountant's questions threw doubt on the accuracy of the financial records.
會計提出的問題讓人對財務報表的準確性起了疑心。
throw doubt on [accuracy/validity]
The discovery of a second set of fingerprints cast doubt on the detective's main theory.
發現第二組指紋後,偵探的主要理論受到了質疑。
The journalist's investigation cast serious doubt on the official version of the events.
記者的調查對該事件的官方說法提出了嚴重質疑。
文法句型
cast doubt on [something]
throw doubt on [something]
raise doubt about [something]
用法筆記
The most common verb partner is 'cast' (cast doubt on). 'Throw doubt on' and 'raise doubt about' are less common alternatives. The subject is typically new information, a discovery, or a question.
4. in a state where it is uncertain whether something will continue to exist, be su
未定;難保
未來或成功不確定,可能無法持續
in a state where it is uncertain whether something will continue to exist, be successful, or happen as planned
The future of the community center remains in doubt after the city council cut its funding.
市議會刪減經費後,社區中心的未來仍然懸而未決。
future remains in doubt
With the team's best player injured, their chances of winning the championship were in doubt.
隊上最佳球員受傷後,他們奪冠的機會變得難以確定。
chances in doubt
The success of the new restaurant was in doubt until the chef completely changed the menu.
直到主廚徹底更換菜單之前,那家新餐廳能否成功還是未知數。
The patient's recovery was in doubt for several weeks following the surgery.
手術後的幾個星期裡,病人的康復情況一直不明朗。
- certain
sure to happen; not in any doubt
- guaranteed
formally assured to happen
文法句型
[something] in doubt
remain in doubt
future/success in doubt
用法筆記
This is a predicative expression — it always follows the verb (be/remain/seem). It cannot be used before a noun like an adjective. 'In doubt' is typically used with abstract subjects like future, success, or chances.
常見錯誤
5. used to emphasize that you are completely certain about your opinion or judgment
毫無疑問
強調個人確信無疑的意見或判斷
used to emphasize that you are completely certain about your opinion or judgment, especially when stating something forcefully
The older violinist is without doubt the most accomplished musician in the orchestra.
那位年長的小提琴手無疑是樂團中最出色的音樂家。
without doubt — emphatic opinion
The prosecutor must prove the defendant's guilt beyond reasonable doubt in a criminal trial.
在刑事審判中,檢察官必須證明被告有罪達到無合理懷疑的程度。
beyond reasonable doubt — legal standard
Without doubt, the most important factor in a child's education is the support they receive at home.
毫無疑問,孩子教育中最重要的一環是家庭給予的支持。
The nurse's dedication to her patients is beyond doubt — she works extra shifts without complaint.
那位護理師對病人的付出是毋庸置疑的——她毫無怨言地加班照顧病人。
- undoubtedly
adverb that can replace 'without doubt' in most contexts
- indisputably
more formal; implies no one could argue against it
文法句型
without doubt
beyond doubt
beyond reasonable doubt
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (no doubt): 'without doubt' / 'beyond doubt' express complete certainty with no tentativeness, while 'no doubt' can sometimes be hedging or ironic. In legal contexts 'beyond reasonable doubt' is a specific standard of proof.
常見錯誤
doubt — 動詞
1. to feel uncertain about whether a claim is accurate or whether a particular even
懷疑;不確定
認為某事可能不真實或不太可能發生
to feel uncertain about whether a claim is accurate or whether a particular event will occur; to consider something unlikely
The scientist doubted whether the experiment could be repeated with the same results.
那位科學家懷疑這項實驗是否能夠重現相同的結果。
doubt whether [clause]
Many residents doubt that the new policy will create enough jobs in the region.
許多居民懷疑這項新政策能否在該地區創造足夠的就業機會。
doubt that [clause]
The chef doubted the vegetables would still be fresh after three days without refrigeration.
主廚懷疑那些蔬菜在沒有冷藏三天後是否還能保持新鮮。
The travel agent doubted the tour could be organized in less than a week.
旅行社人員懷疑這趟行程能否在一週內安排妥當。
- question
more active; questioning implies raising issues; doubting is more internal
- disbelieve
stronger; implies outright rejection rather than uncertainty
- be skeptical of
more intellectual; implies a reasoned critical stance
文法句型
doubt + noun phrase
doubt + that-clause
doubt + whether/if-clause
用法筆記
Frequently followed by a that-clause (doubt that…) or a whether/if clause (doubt whether…). 'Doubt that' is more common in American English. The negative form 'I don't doubt that…' means 'I believe that…'.
常見錯誤
2. to not trust a person or to not believe that what someone says is true or honest
不信任;質疑
不相信某人或懷疑其所說的話
to not trust a person or to not believe that what someone says is true or honest
The jury had good reason to doubt the testimony of the main witness.
陪審團有充分理由懷疑主要證人的證詞。
doubt testimony/evidence
After being caught lying twice, the assistant found that everyone doubted everything he said.
在被抓到說謊兩次之後,大家都不相信那位助理所說的任何話。
The investors doubted the company's earnings report and hired an outside auditor to verify the numbers.
投資人質疑該公司的財報,於是聘請外部稽核人員來核實數字。
The librarian doubted the man's explanation for needing the rare manuscripts.
圖書館員不相信那位男子需要珍貴手稿的說詞。
文法句型
doubt + noun phrase (person/claim/testimony)
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb sense 1: sense 1 doubts claims and possibilities (the truth of an idea); sense 2 doubts a person's character or honesty. When the object is a person, sense 2 is usually intended.