3 ms·
Isn't "I have a doubt" a way to say that you are not sure? Not that you do not understand it know, but that, well, you doubt. Like in "homeopathy is backed by
by BrandoElFollito 5y ago
Isn't "I have a doubt" a way to say that you are not sure? Not that you do not understand it know, but that, well, you doubt.
Like in "homeopathy is backed by science" to what someone would understandably say "I have a doubt" (in a mocking way in that case)
- jumelles 5y agoAmerican English: "I doubt that" or "I have doubts" is much more natural. "Doubt" is almost never singular.
- shkkmo 5y agoSingular "doubt" is pretty common, but almost exclusively used when indicating a lack of doubt.
- fernandotakai 5y agoyeah "i have a doubt about this particular issue" doesn't seem wrong.
- BrandoElFollito 5y agoYes, I was just quoting OP (as a non-native speaker of English I also prefer "I doubt that" or "I have doubts" (except when in singular). This said, some may copy from their language 1:1 - in French you say "j'ai un doute" (I have a doubt) so this may also be the reason. There are also other versions ("j'en doute" - I doubt that, or "j'ai des doutes" - I have doubts)
- projektfu 5y agoI had the impression the phrase was being used to interrupt a speaker to ask a question. In that case, it would sound odd to the average American, and insinuate that you thought they were wrong.
- dkjaudyeqooe 5y agoNo. The problem here is that you're assuming that "doubt" is associated with not understanding, when it's actually associated with not believing, so you're essentially saying, "I understood what you said, but I don't believe you"