Highly doubtful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Highly doubtful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express skepticism or uncertainty about a statement or situation. Example: "Given the evidence presented, I find it highly doubtful that the claim is true."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Highly doubtful.

The New York Times

Highly doubtful, unless it is a "deport them all" bill to appease the Tea Partiers.

Huffington Post

But that's highly doubtful.

The New York Times

That is highly doubtful.

The Guardian - Business

It's highly doubtful this option exists.

The New York Times

But this judgment is highly doubtful.

The New York Times - Books

It seems highly doubtful that they will stop now.

The New Yorker

Actual evidence in this regard is highly doubtful.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is also highly doubtful whether it can be successful.

The New York Times - Books

"I'm highly doubtful that they know I paint my toenails".

The New York Times

Whether they would usher in a truly new era for Egypt is highly doubtful.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Highly doubtful" to express a strong sense of disbelief or skepticism, especially when you have reasons to believe something is unlikely. It's more emphatic than simply saying "doubtful".

Common error

Avoid using too many adverbs like "highly" in your writing, as it can make your tone sound overly dramatic or less credible. Consider if "doubtful" alone conveys sufficient meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Highly doubtful" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a strong degree of skepticism or disbelief. It indicates that something is considered very unlikely or improbable. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Highly doubtful" is a common and grammatically correct way to express strong skepticism or disbelief. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its prevalent use across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "very improbable" or "extremely unlikely" exist, "Highly doubtful" offers a clear and effective means of conveying uncertainty. Be mindful of overusing intensifiers; sometimes, "doubtful" alone may suffice. Overall, it's a reliable phrase when you want to express a strong sense that something is unlikely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Very improbable

Replaces "doubtful" with "improbable" strengthening the sense of unlikelihood.

Extremely unlikely

Substitutes "doubtful" with "unlikely" and intensifies it with "extremely".

Hardly believable

Shifts the focus to the believability of something rather than expressing doubt.

It seems improbable

Uses 'improbable' to suggest a low chance of something happening or being true.

Questionable at best

Highlights that something may not even reach a basic standard of being acceptable.

I seriously doubt it

Personalizes the expression of doubt making it more direct and conversational.

I find that hard to believe

Focuses on personal difficulty in accepting a statement as true.

That's a long shot

Implies that an outcome is possible but very difficult to achieve.

Not a chance

Emphasizes absolute impossibility, stronger than expressing doubt.

Don't bet on it

Advises against expecting a particular outcome, implying skepticism.

FAQs

How to use "Highly doubtful" in a sentence?

You can use "Highly doubtful" to express a strong sense of skepticism or disbelief. For example, "It is highly doubtful that the project will be completed on time".

What can I say instead of "Highly doubtful"?

You can use alternatives like "very improbable", "extremely unlikely", or "questionable at best" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "Highly doubtful" in writing?

Use "Highly doubtful" when you want to express a strong sense of skepticism or disbelief, especially when you have specific reasons to believe something is unlikely. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "Highly doubtful" and "Doubtful"?

"Highly doubtful" is a stronger expression of disbelief than just "doubtful". "Highly" intensifies the feeling of uncertainty or skepticism.