a doubtful assertion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a doubtful assertion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a statement or claim that lacks certainty or confidence. Example: "The scientist made a doubtful assertion about the effectiveness of the new drug, prompting further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That has been a doubtful assertion ever since the cold war – even more so after Libya.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A particularly doubtful assertion made by Enron Online was the so-called notional revenue it reported, Mr. McCullough said.

The New York Times

The general election debate over the NHS has already become an exchange of insults, doubtful assertions and unreliable statistics of the kind voters find so unedifying.

The Guardian - Opinion

That may seem like a doubtful proposition.

Harvard Business Review

She gave me a doubtful look.

The New Yorker

A British summer is usually a doubtful, fleeting thing.

The New Yorker

She had been a doubtful starter with a bruised heel.

The Guardian - Sport

I make a doubtful face, but she insists.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Longevity alone strikes me as a doubtful premise.

The Guardian

douarrha had become a nomen dubium — a doubtful name.

The New Yorker

Hang about," he said, with a doubtful frown.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a doubtful assertion" when you want to express uncertainty or skepticism about a claim, but avoid using it excessively in formal writing, as it can come across as dismissive. Choose synonyms like "questionable claim" or "dubious statement" for variety.

Common error

Avoid using "a doubtful assertion" repeatedly in academic papers or professional reports. Vary your language with more nuanced alternatives like "unsubstantiated claim" or "tenuous argument" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a doubtful assertion" functions as a noun phrase, where "doubtful" modifies the noun "assertion". It indicates a statement or claim that is questionable or uncertain. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a doubtful assertion" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express skepticism or uncertainty about a statement. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and provides various examples from reputable sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to use synonyms like "questionable claim" or "dubious statement" for nuanced expression and to avoid overuse, especially in formal contexts. The phrase sees frequent use in the contexts of News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a questionable statement

Replaces "assertion" with "statement" and "doubtful" with "questionable", softening the skepticism slightly.

a dubious claim

Substitutes "doubtful" with "dubious" and "assertion" with "claim", maintaining a similar level of skepticism.

a suspect declaration

Uses "suspect" instead of "doubtful" and "declaration" for "assertion", implying potential deception.

a tenuous argument

Replaces "doubtful" with "tenuous" and "assertion" with "argument", suggesting the claim is weakly supported.

an unconvincing proposition

Substitutes "doubtful" with "unconvincing" and "assertion" with "proposition", highlighting the lack of persuasiveness.

a shaky premise

Uses "shaky" instead of "doubtful" and "premise" for "assertion", emphasizing the instability of the foundation.

a challengeable contention

Replaces "doubtful" with "challengeable" and "assertion" with "contention", highlighting the potential for dispute.

a flimsy pretext

Substitutes "doubtful" with "flimsy" and "assertion" with "pretext", suggesting the claim is weak and possibly deceptive.

a specious argument

Uses "specious" instead of "doubtful" and "argument" for "assertion", implying that the claim seems plausible but is actually false.

a precarious statement

Replaces "doubtful" with "precarious" and "assertion" with "statement", suggesting the claim is unstable and risky.

FAQs

How can I use "a doubtful assertion" in a sentence?

You can use "a doubtful assertion" to express skepticism about a claim. For example: "The scientist made "a doubtful assertion" about the new drug's effectiveness".

What are some alternatives to "a doubtful assertion"?

Alternatives include "a questionable statement", "a dubious claim", or "a tenuous argument", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a doubtful assertion" a formal or informal phrase?

"A doubtful assertion" is generally suitable for neutral to formal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider using more precise language like "an unsubstantiated claim" or "an unverified statement".

What's the difference between "a doubtful assertion" and "a false statement"?

"A doubtful assertion" suggests uncertainty or skepticism about the truthfulness of a claim, while "a false statement" implies that the claim is definitively untrue. The former expresses doubt, while the latter declares falsehood.