Meaning & use
skeptical tone
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Meaning
nouncountable
A way of speaking or writing that shows doubt or disbelief about something.
Grammar: Usually used with 'a' or 'the': 'She replied in a skeptical tone.'
Patterns
- in a skeptical tone
- a skeptical tone of voice
- adopt a skeptical tone
He asked the question in a skeptical tone, as if he didn't believe the answer.
The article's skeptical tone made readers question the company's claims.
Her skeptical tone of voice suggested she had heard this excuse before.
Word forms
| plural | skeptical tones |
|---|
Common combinations
- a skeptical tone of voice
- He spoke in a skeptical tone of voice that made everyone uneasy.
- adopt a skeptical tone
- The interviewer adopted a skeptical tone to challenge the politician.
- in a skeptical tone
- She answered in a skeptical tone, raising one eyebrow.
- a slightly skeptical tone
- His slightly skeptical tone hinted that he wasn't convinced.
Synonyms and how they differ
- doubtful tone
- Similar, but 'doubtful' can also mean uncertain rather than actively disbelieving.
- cynical tone
- Stronger and more negative; 'cynical' suggests distrust of people's motives, not just doubt about facts.
- questioning tone
- Focuses on asking for information rather than expressing disbelief.
Opposites
Word family
- skeptical adjective
- Doubting that something is true or useful.
- skeptic noun
- A person who doubts accepted opinions.
- skepticism noun
- An attitude of doubt.
- skeptically adverb
- In a doubting way.
Commonly confused: skeptical tone or cynical tone?
skeptical tone vs cynical tone
'Cynical' implies a belief that people are selfish; 'skeptical' is about doubting a specific claim.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'skeptical tone' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase normally takes 'a' before 'skeptical tone' when used countably. Option 1 is missing the article; option 2 uses 'the' where 'a' is more natural for a first mention; option 3 uses the plural 'tones' awkwardly.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “skeptical tone”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.