Suspicion vs There was room for doubt

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Suspicion

Top 3,000 (common)C1noun

There was room for doubt

Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Suspicion
 SuspicionThere was room for doubt
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/səˈspɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səˈspɪʃn/"]/🇬🇧 //ðɛə wəz ruːm fə daʊt//🇺🇸 //ðɛr wəz rum fɔr daʊt//
MeaningA feeling that something is wrong or not true.It is possible to be unsure about something.
ExampleShe felt a strong suspicion that someone was hiding the truth.In her presentation, she mentioned that there was room for doubt regarding the data.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 3,000 (common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelC1-
Part of speechnoun
Collocationsstrong, 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 suspicionroom for improvement, room for negotiation, room for error
Antonymstrust, confidence-
Common mistakesConfused 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 'there is no room for doubt', which indicates certainty., Omitting 'for' and saying 'There was room doubt' instead., Misusing the phrase in overly formal contexts, instead of neutral discussions.
Usage notesUse '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.This phrase is used when there's uncertainty or skepticism. It's often suitable for discussions, debates, or analyzing situations, but may not fit in casual conversations.

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There was room for doubt

Frequently asked questions: Suspicion vs There was room for doubt

What's the difference between Suspicion and There was room for doubt?

Suspicion: A feeling that something is wrong or not true. There was room for doubt: It is possible to be unsure about something.

Which is more common: Suspicion and There was room for 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. There was room for doubt: In her presentation, she mentioned that there was room for doubt regarding the data.

Can I use Suspicion and There was room for doubt interchangeably?

Not always. Suspicion and There was room for 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.

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