It is dubious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "It is dubious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing uncertainty or skepticism about the truth or validity of something. Example: "The evidence presented in the report is not convincing; it is dubious at best."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Furthermore, the reliability of the test is questionable because "it is dubious whether it reaches sufficiently clear conclusions".

Huffington Post

It is dubious history and only intermittently successful drama.

The Guardian - Film

It is dubious that the US played a hands-off role.

The Guardian

It is dubious that the tribunal can really set the historical record straight.

The New York Times

It is dubious to bestow the Peace Prize on a man renowned more for his dedication to police work than to peace work.

The New York Times

It is dubious as to why disqualification should not occur simply because officials failed to properly act on the infringement when they were first alerted to it.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

It's dubious booty.

The New Yorker

It was dubious to say the very least".

The Guardian - Sport

And it was dubious, to say the least.

The Guardian - Sport

Were hard drugs decriminalised, it's dubious that consumption would appreciably rise.

The Guardian

Will the Athens plant help the city? A. Because of transmission bottlenecks, it's dubious it will help the city.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine the phrase with qualifying adverbs like 'highly', 'somewhat', or 'rather' to modulate the degree of doubt you're expressing.

Common error

Avoid using "It is dubious" when you intend to express complete certainty that something is false. The phrase implies uncertainty, not definitive negation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "It is dubious" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a degree of skepticism or uncertainty about a claim, situation, or idea. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The examples illustrate its use in assessing the reliability of information and the likelihood of events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "It is dubious" is a useful phrase for expressing skepticism or uncertainty in a grammatically correct and widely accepted manner. According to Ludwig, it is appropriate for various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. While the phrase can be used across different contexts, it's important to maintain neutrality and avoid overstating the level of doubt. Related phrases like "it is questionable" or "it is uncertain" can provide alternative ways to convey similar meanings. Ultimately, the phrase "It is dubious" serves as a valuable tool for critical thinking and balanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It is questionable

Emphasizes the uncertainty or lack of evidence surrounding a claim.

It is doubtful

Suggests a stronger sense of disbelief or unlikelihood.

It is uncertain

Highlights the lack of definite knowledge or predictability.

It is improbable

Indicates a low probability of something occurring.

It is suspect

Implies that something may be unreliable or untrustworthy.

It is contestable

Suggests that something can be challenged or disputed.

It is debatable

Implies that there are valid arguments on both sides of an issue.

It is unconvincing

Highlights a lack of compelling evidence or reasoning.

It is implausible

Indicates something is difficult to believe.

It is far-fetched

Suggests that something is unlikely and imaginative.

FAQs

How can I use "It is dubious" in a sentence?

The phrase "It is dubious" is used to express skepticism or doubt about something. For example: "It is dubious that the project will be completed on time due to the lack of resources."

What are some alternatives to "It is dubious"?

You can use alternatives like "It is questionable", "It is doubtful", or "It is uncertain" to express similar levels of skepticism.

Is it correct to say "It is dubious that" or "It is dubious whether"?

Both "It is dubious that" and "It is dubious whether" are grammatically correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "It is dubious that" is used when you doubt a statement, while "It is dubious whether" is used when you doubt if something is going to happen.

What is the difference between "It is dubious" and "It is suspicious"?

"It is dubious" implies a lack of certainty or validity, while "It is suspicious" suggests that something is questionable and possibly dishonest or wrong. "It is suspicious" carries a stronger connotation of potential wrongdoing compared to "It is dubious".