Common Mistake: no doubt

“No doubt”

This is tricky because because “no doubt” can be a fixed phrase that works like an adverb but can also be used normally in a sentence.

Usage 1: fixed phrase 1. “Hong Kong is, no doubt, one of the most crowded places in the world.”

It is the same as: 2. “Hong Kong is obviously/undoubtedly one of the most crowded places in the world.”

In these two sentences, “no doubt”, “obviously” and “undoubtedly” are interchangeable.

Usage 2: noun 3. “I had doubts when they told me that she was going to be the new president of the company.” ✅

Common mistake: 4. “It is no doubt that the government is responsible for urban development.” ❌

Instead of sentence 4, we should write: 5. “There is no doubt that the government is responsible for urban development.” ✅

Then, why do we sometimes say this and it’s grammatical: 6. “It is no news that the education system disregards students’ personal growth and health.”

“It is no doubt” and “it is no news” seem to be of the same pattern, why is one okay and the other not?

If we rephrase the sentences, we will indeed see a difference in usage although these two sentences look very similar.

7. It is no news that the service here is bad. ✅

After rephrasing: 8. The service being bad here is no news to anyone. ✅

9. It is no doubt that the service here is bad. ❌

After rephrasing: 10. The service being bad here is no doubt.❌

In sentences 7 and 8, bad service=no news . In sentences 9 and 10, bad service =\= no doubt, instead, bad service CREATES no doubt. Therefore, “there” which suggests existence should be used.