DOUBT vs. QUESTION
As a non-native teacher of English as a Foreign Language, I have always frowned on my students’ use of the sentence “I have a doubt”.
Judging it a typical case of language transfer, I promptly tell them that they should instead say that they “have a question”.
After coming across the sentence “if students have doubt” in a teacher’s guide, I don’t feel so self-assured as to jump on my students’ phrase anymore.
Any comment on this usage will be greatly appreciated.
Eduardo
Alchemae (unregistered)
February 13, 2005, 8:31pm
A native speaker would never use 'doubt' interchangably with 'question' in the context you gave.
"I have a question" carries the implication that one does not understand.
"I have doubts" carries the implication that one understands, but does not agree.
Your teachers guide is also right. To me, it's hinting at a case in which the students are questioning something because it disagrees with something they learned before.
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speedwell2
February 14, 2005, 8:13am
I agree 100%. No doubts here :)
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Kwang
June 28, 2012, 11:30am
i actually saw a movie on the basis of the relgious faith, and it talked about the difference between doubt and question.
a doubter, doubts and does not seek an answer.
a questioner, those that are inquisitive, questions because they seek an answer.
so.. "I have a doubt" is a very negative phrase if compared to the culture of the world of human flourishing
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Unggit Tjitradjaja (unregistered)
February 14, 2005, 12:32pm
Undoubtedly!
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Eduardo (unregistered)
February 14, 2005, 12:54pm
Thank you Alchemae for sharing your insightful comment.
It seems that some of them will still say "I have a doubt" :)
take care
Eduardo
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