a dubious notion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dubious notion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing skepticism or doubt about an idea or belief. Example: "The proposal to cut funding for education is a dubious notion that could have serious consequences for future generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is a dubious notion, and "Tabu" makes it convincing only within the narrow compass of its own artifice.

The New York Times

This is a dubious notion since, by this point, support for social insurance programs are pretty well ingrained in the political system.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

At the same time, almost as taxing, he had to investigate himself: "I was trying to discover myself – on the whole, when examined, a somewhat dubious notion, since I was also trying to avoid myself".

The Guardian - Books

Second -- and more generally -- the dubious notion that a limited "residual" U.S. force would play a decisive role in staunching the current jihadist offensive only reinforces the perception of the Iraqi National Army as a hollow, incompetent failure.

Huffington Post

Her newly translated English renditions of Brel's "Ne Me Quitte Pas" ("Don't Leave Me Now") and Piaf's "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien" ("No Regrets") were accompanied by sharp comments about their fuzzy earlier translations and the dubious notion of singing pop songs in a language the audience doesn't understand.

The New York Times - Arts

Hakim goes on for almost 200 pages in a similar vein, describing how "the male sex deficit" – the dubious notion that all men are gagging for it while women over the age of 30 become increasingly uninterested because they're focusing their energies on child-rearing – means that female "erotic capital" is a highly valued asset.

The Guardian - Books

Even if he maintains the dubious notion that transforming Iraq by military force could have been a plausible policy for any administration, it is time for Mr. Friedman to join those who opposed this war from the start.

The New York Times

But this is based on the dubious notion that the US military can stop the violence in Syria.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rather than focusing on the dubious notion of supposed female fallibility, Gloger seems to be addressing wider questions about the honesty and reality of all human emotions.

The Guardian - Music

And how odd it would be, how dull, if novelists and readers confined themselves, in the name of some dubious notion of relevance, to the events and style of one particular period".

The Guardian - Books

The final strategy of those seeking compatibility between religion and science is to retreat into something that is reminiscent of solipsism, the family of beliefs that allows me to entertain the unfalsifiable yet dubious notion that I might be the only person in the universe (with everyone else just a figment).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a dubious notion", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the notion questionable. Provide specific reasons or evidence to support your skepticism.

Common error

Avoid using "a dubious notion" as a blanket statement without providing specific reasoning. Clearly articulate why the notion is questionable to avoid weakening your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dubious notion" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It expresses the speaker's or writer's skepticism or doubt about the validity or reliability of a particular idea or belief. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dubious notion" is a phrase used to express skepticism or doubt about an idea or belief. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It appears primarily in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. For alternative phrasing, consider options like ""a questionable idea"" or ""a suspect concept"". When using the phrase, providing justification for your skepticism strengthens your argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A questionable idea

Replaces "dubious" with "questionable", suggesting uncertainty or doubt about the idea's validity.

A suspect concept

Substitutes "dubious" with "suspect", implying that the concept is potentially flawed or unreliable.

A doubtful proposition

Replaces "notion" with "proposition" and "dubious" with "doubtful", emphasizing the uncertainty of the statement.

A challengeable assumption

Focuses on the idea that the assumption can be contested or questioned.

A contentious belief

Highlights that the belief is likely to cause disagreement or argument.

A far-fetched concept

Emphasizes the improbability or unlikelihood of the concept.

A flimsy argument

Suggests the argument is weak and easily refuted.

A tenuous theory

Implies the theory is poorly supported and likely to be incorrect.

A shaky premise

Indicates that the premise is unstable and unreliable.

A groundless assumption

Highlights the lack of evidence or basis for the assumption.

FAQs

How can I use "a dubious notion" in a sentence?

You can use "a dubious notion" to express skepticism about an idea. For example, "The claim that tax cuts stimulate the economy is "a dubious notion", unsupported by historical data."

What are some alternatives to "a dubious notion"?

Alternatives include "a questionable idea", "a suspect concept", or "a doubtful proposition". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What makes "a dubious notion" different from "a false claim"?

"A dubious notion" suggests skepticism or uncertainty, while "a false claim" implies a definitive untruth. A notion can be dubious without necessarily being proven false.

Is it appropriate to use "a dubious notion" in formal writing?

Yes, "a dubious notion" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when presenting an argument or analysis. However, ensure you provide clear reasoning for your skepticism.