Do you have a doubt, or do you have a question?  

What is the difference, in English?

 

We use "doubt" only when the context implies uncertanty about two or more choices; or disbelief.

 

Examples: 

 

I am in doubt about wearing my red or my blue dress for the party. ==> uncertainty in choosing two or more things. 

 

I have many doubts about the education growth in Brazil. 

==> I don't believe that there is a real and significant growth ... 

 

 

On the other hand, when our "doubts" are related to things we need to ask, because we still don't know, they are not "doubts" - they are "questions". See the examples:

 

I have a lot of questions about economy and how inflation happens. 

==>  I don't know the subject, so I have questions about it.

 

 

Now, compare: 

 

I have doubts about the immediate economy improvement in US.

==> I don't believe it, so I have doubts about it. 

 

 

 

Many ESL students confuse these expressions. Especially Portuguese speakers do, because in Portuguese the word "dúvida" is a direct translation to "doubt" and can be used with both conotations: disbelief and question. But not in English!   

 

Now that you know the difference, remember it next time you have questions about something you don't know, or when you are uncertain or in disbelief about something else. 

 

 

 

There will be always something that you still don't know.

And always something that you are not certain about.

 

In doubt, just ask questions!

  

If you need further explanation and more examples on this topic, and you are a subscriber or a member, just ask me!

 

Dúvidas sobre este tema?

Gramática, cultura, expressões idiomáticas em inglês? 

Drop me a line at:

 

 

Dúvidas de vocabulário? Here is the solution: 

http://dictionary.reverso.net/english-portuguese/catch
Dicionário online, inglês-português

Vocabulário e Pronúncia?

http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/home
Merriam-Webster, Dicionário online inglês-inglês

 

  

 

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