Signification
To doubt the validity of something
Contexte culturel
In Russian universities, 'поставить под сомнение' is the polite way to disagree with a professor or a textbook. It signals that you are engaging in 'научный спор' (scientific debate) rather than being disrespectful. Independent Russian media often use this phrase to highlight discrepancies in government statements without making direct accusations of lying, which provides a layer of professional distance. In the Russian legal system, the 'presumption of innocence' is often discussed using this phrase—any doubt must be 'placed' against the prosecution's case. Historically, 'сомнение' was sometimes viewed with suspicion by the state. To 'question' the party line was a serious matter. Today, the phrase carries a weight of intellectual bravery.
Use the Passive for Maximum Formality
If you want to sound like a professional diplomat or academic, use 'было поставлено под сомнение'. It removes the 'I' and makes the doubt sound like an objective fact.
Don't Overuse It
If you use this phrase in every sentence, you will sound like you are reading a police report. Save it for the most important points of your argument.
Signification
To doubt the validity of something
Use the Passive for Maximum Formality
If you want to sound like a professional diplomat or academic, use 'было поставлено под сомнение'. It removes the 'I' and makes the doubt sound like an objective fact.
Don't Overuse It
If you use this phrase in every sentence, you will sound like you are reading a police report. Save it for the most important points of your argument.
Polite Disagreement
In Russia, directly saying 'You are lying' is very aggressive. Using 'Я ставлю это под сомнение' is a socially acceptable way to say the same thing in a professional setting.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing preposition and word in the correct case.
Новые доказательства поставили его вину ___ ________.
The idiom is 'под сомнение' (Accusative).
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly in a formal register?
Choose the best sentence:
This is a classic formal use of the phrase in the passive voice.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the phrase.
— Ты веришь этому отчёту? — Нет, ошибки в расчётах ______ его ___ ________.
The errors (plural) 'ставят' (imperfective/present) the report 'под сомнение'.
Match the sentence to the most likely context.
Sentence: 'Его научная репутация была поставлена под сомнение.'
The phrase is formal and fits an academic or journalistic context.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesНовые доказательства поставили его вину ___ ________.
The idiom is 'под сомнение' (Accusative).
Choose the best sentence:
This is a classic formal use of the phrase in the passive voice.
— Ты веришь этому отчёту? — Нет, ошибки в расчётах ______ его ___ ________.
The errors (plural) 'ставят' (imperfective/present) the report 'под сомнение'.
Sentence: 'Его научная репутация была поставлена под сомнение.'
The phrase is formal and fits an academic or journalistic context.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsNot directly. You don't 'place a person under doubt'. You place their *authority*, *honesty*, or *words* under doubt. Example: 'поставить под сомнение его честность'.
'Подвергнуть сомнению' is even more formal and implies a more rigorous or systematic process of questioning, like a scientific audit.
Mostly, yes. It implies that something might be wrong or invalid. However, in science, it is seen as a positive part of the search for truth.
Only if you are being ironic or discussing something very serious (like a work project). In a casual chat, it sounds too stiff.
Yes, the object you are doubting must be in the Accusative case. 'Поставить (что?) под сомнение'.
Expressions liées
подвергнуть сомнению
synonymTo subject to doubt
вызвать сомнения
similarTo cause doubts
оставаться под вопросом
builds onTo remain an open question
принимать на веру
contrastTo take on faith
