Cool MateIf there's a reasonable doubt vs Suspicion
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
If there's a reasonable doubt
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Suspicion
Top 3,000 (common)C1noun
Most common: Suspicion
| If there's a reasonable doubt | Suspicion | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪf ðeəz ə ˈriːzənəbl daʊt//🇺🇸 //ɪf ðɛrz ə ˈrizənəbl daʊt// | 🇬🇧 /["/səˈspɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səˈspɪʃn/"]/ |
| Meaning | When you're not sure if something is true or not. | A feeling that something is wrong or not true. |
| Example | The jury must find the defendant guilty only if there's a reasonable doubt. | She felt a strong suspicion that someone was hiding the truth. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | beyond a reasonable doubt, raise a reasonable doubt, establish reasonable doubt | strong, considerable, deep, degree, level, entertain, harbour/harbor, have, arise, exist, linger, above suspicion, beyond suspicion, on suspicion of, the finger of suspicion, grounds for suspicion, an object of suspicion, strong, considerable, deep, degree, level, entertain, harbour/harbor, have, arise, exist, linger, above suspicion, beyond suspicion, on suspicion of, the finger of suspicion, grounds for suspicion, an object of suspicion, strong, considerable, deep, degree, level, entertain, harbour/harbor, have, arise, exist, linger, above suspicion, beyond suspicion, on suspicion of, the finger of suspicion, grounds for suspicion, an object of suspicion |
| Antonyms | - | trust, confidence |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'beyond a reasonable doubt', which is a stronger standard., Using it in informal conversation where simpler terms would be clearer., Misusing it in situations unrelated to doubt or uncertainty. | Confused with 'suspect' which is a verb., Using 'suspicion' as a countable noun incorrectly., Mixing it up with 'distrust', which has a different meaning. |
| Usage notes | This phrase is often used in legal contexts, particularly during trials, to indicate uncertainty. It can also apply to personal decisions but is more formal in nature. | Use 'suspicion' when you think something might be bad or wrong, often without proof. It's appropriate in serious contexts but less suitable in casual conversation. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: If there's a reasonable doubt vs Suspicion
What's the difference between If there's a reasonable doubt and Suspicion?
If there's a reasonable doubt: When you're not sure if something is true or not. Suspicion: A feeling that something is wrong or not true.
Which is more common: If there's a reasonable doubt and Suspicion?
Suspicion is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
If there's a reasonable doubt: The jury must find the defendant guilty only if there's a reasonable doubt. Suspicion: She felt a strong suspicion that someone was hiding the truth.
Can I use If there's a reasonable doubt and Suspicion interchangeably?
Not always. If there's a reasonable doubt and Suspicion are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.