Dubious

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "Dubious" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express doubt or uncertainty about something. Example: "She had a dubious expression on her face when he told her the news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Neither will Ben Bernanke, the current chairman of the Fed, whose term ends in January and who earlier pleaded a dubious "scheduling conflict".

The Guardian - Opinion

Collins said a picture was emerging of Savile as a risk-taker and an opportunist who surrounded himself with dubious characters.

The Guardian

"There is a risk that an all-or-nothing approach and the highlighting of dubious cases to prominent news outlets and journalists will preclude legitimate claims from being fairly treated.

The Guardian - Tech

"[Social services minister] Scott Morrison's claims around the impact of his child care changes to workforce participation are dubious at best," acting shadow early childhood minister Jenny Macklin said.

The Guardian

But walk away from the cafes churning out chalga (Bulgaria's dubious gift to pop music), and as the buildings thin out there is no one but yoga enthusiasts and naked men playing chess.

The Guardian - Travel

The methodology behind this claim was also dubious as it derived from a 2002 study that extrapolated from the number of cameras spotted on two streets in Wandsworth in London.

The Guardian

Dubious parenting: the opposite, as Elena tells him: "If I'd known you were gonna grow up to be a grown-up... " Steady on seven.

The Guardian

Cameron's mandate among the UK's "family of nations" – to use his own term from the Scottish independence referendum campaign – is dubious at best.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fellow Iona patron Professor Patricia Casey was publicly rebuked on two separate occasions last year for misusing research from both Uppsala University and UNICEF to reach the same dubious conclusion, prompting UNICEF Ireland's executive director Melanie Verwoerd to slam Casey's spin as "incorrect and unacceptable".

The Guardian

Although the state of the economy remains difficult to ascertain beyond dubious official figures, huge sums are lost to corruption.

The Guardian

The Labour belief that Ukip is causing disproportionate damage to the Conservatives looks increasingly dubious.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an action of rather "dubious" judgment, it means that you should consider the audience to whom you are communicating with.

Common error

While "dubious" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in formal academic papers or business reports. Opt for more precise terms like "questionable," "uncertain," or "unconfirmed" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

Dubious functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to express doubt, skepticism, or uncertainty about their validity, quality, or truthfulness. Ludwig examples show this usage in contexts ranging from claims and figures to characters and methodologies. As also Ludwig AI confirms, the word follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dubious" is a versatile adjective used to express doubt or uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to question the validity or reliability of claims, figures, or actions. While synonyms like "questionable" and "doubtful" offer similar meanings, "dubious" strikes a balance between skepticism and open inquiry. When writing, remember to consider your audience and opt for more precise language in formal contexts, but don't hesitate to employ "dubious" when you need to cast a shadow of doubt on something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Questionable

Emphasizes the uncertainty and lack of solid evidence.

Doubtful

Focuses on the feeling of disbelief or skepticism.

Suspect

Implies a potential problem or wrongdoing.

Uncertain

Highlights the lack of clarity or definiteness.

Dubitable

A more formal synonym that directly questions the truth or validity.

Open to suspicion

Suggests something is not trusted and warrants investigation.

Of questionable merit

Indicates that the value or quality is not assured.

Of doubtful validity

Points to a lack of proof or reliability.

Shady

Informal term implying dishonesty or illegality.

Fishy

Informal term implying something seems wrong or deceitful.

FAQs

How can I use "dubious" in a sentence?

You can use "dubious" to describe something that is questionable or uncertain, as in "His claims about the company's profits were "dubious" at best".

What are some alternatives to using "dubious"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "doubtful", "questionable", or "suspect".

Which is correct: "dubious" or "dubiousness"?

"Dubious" is an adjective, while "dubiousness" is a noun. Use "dubious" to describe something (e.g., "a dubious claim") and "dubiousness" to refer to the state of being doubtful (e.g., "the dubiousness of the evidence").

What's the difference between "dubious" and "suspicious"?

"Dubious" generally implies doubt or uncertainty, while "suspicious" suggests a belief that something is wrong or dishonest. A claim might be "dubious" due to lack of evidence, but it becomes "suspicious" if there are indications of deception.