Cool MateSuspicion vs We have a reasonable doubt
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Suspicion
We have a reasonable doubt
| Suspicion | We have a reasonable doubt | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/səˈspɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səˈspɪʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wiː hæv ə ˈriːzənəbl daʊt//🇺🇸 //wi hæv ə ˈrizənəbl daʊt// |
| Meaning | A feeling that something is wrong or not true. | We think something might not be true. |
| Example | She felt a strong suspicion that someone was hiding the truth. | The jury concluded there was a __we have a reasonable doubt__ about the defendant's guilt. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | 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 | beyond reasonable doubt, establish reasonable doubt, raise reasonable doubt |
| Antonyms | trust, confidence | certainty, conviction, confidence, surety |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'suspect' which is a verb., Using 'suspicion' as a countable noun incorrectly., Mixing it up with 'distrust', which has a different meaning. | Confused with 'reasonable certainty'., Using it in everyday contexts outside the legal system., Misusing it to suggest complete disbelief. |
| Usage notes | 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. | Used mainly in legal contexts to indicate uncertainty about a person's guilt. Not suitable for casual conversations. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Suspicion vs We have a reasonable doubt
What's the difference between Suspicion and We have a reasonable doubt?
Suspicion: A feeling that something is wrong or not true. We have a reasonable doubt: We think something might not be true.
Which is more formal: Suspicion and We have a reasonable doubt?
We have a reasonable doubt is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Suspicion and We have a reasonable doubt?
Suspicion is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Suspicion: She felt a strong suspicion that someone was hiding the truth. We have a reasonable doubt: The jury concluded there was a __we have a reasonable doubt__ about the defendant's guilt.
Can I use Suspicion and We have a reasonable doubt interchangeably?
Not always. Suspicion and We have a reasonable doubt 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.