cast doubt on

Meaning

To 'cast doubt on' something means to make it appear untrustworthy, uncertain, or unlikely to be true. It is a formal way of expressing skepticism or presenting evidence that challenges an existing theory, claim, or set of findings.

Examples

• New evidence has cast doubt on the accuracy of the original test results.

  New evidence has cast doubt on the accuracy of the original test results.

• The critic's review cast doubt on the historical validity of the documentary.

  The critic's review cast doubt on the historical validity of the documentary.

• These findings cast doubt on the widely accepted theory of planetary formation.

  These findings cast doubt on the widely accepted theory of planetary formation.

• A series of scandals has cast doubt on the integrity of the organization.

  A series of scandals has cast doubt on the integrity of the organization.

• Her hesitant tone during the presentation cast doubt on her expertise.

  Her hesitant tone during the presentation cast doubt on her expertise.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The study threw doubt on the previous results.

  ✓ The study cast doubt on the previous results.

  While 'throw doubt on' is occasionally heard in informal speech, 'cast doubt on' is the standard, highly preferred collocation in formal and academic writing.

• ✗ The new data casts doubt about the hypothesis.

  ✓ The new data casts doubt on the hypothesis.

  The correct preposition to use with 'cast doubt' is 'on', not 'about', 'for', or 'to'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• These contradictory statistics ___ the validity of the study.

  💡 Make the validity of the study seem uncertain.

  Show answer

  cast doubt on

• The witness's changing story will likely ___ his credibility.

  💡 Make people question.

  Show answer

  cast doubt on