a questionable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a questionable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is doubtful, uncertain, or not to be trusted. Example: "The study's methodology was a questionable approach that raised concerns among the researchers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is a questionable decision.

The Economist

It's a questionable appraisal.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a questionable call".

The New York Times - Sports

The Colorados are a questionable lot.

The Economist

That is a questionable prospect.

The New York Times - Sports

That is a questionable assumption.

The New York Times

"It is a questionable cocktail".

The New York Times

"This a questionable decision on many levels.

The Guardian

But the Blueshirts remain a questionable qualifier.

The New York Times - Sports

That is now looking a questionable assumption.

The Guardian - Business

His presence will boost a questionable defense.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with abstract nouns like "decision", "assumption", "tactic" or "strategy" to effectively critique an argument without being overly aggressive.

Common error

Avoid using "a questionable" as a synonym for "false" or "wrong". It correctly implies that something is open to doubt or needs further investigation rather than being definitively incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a questionable" functions as an adjective phrase consisting of the indefinite article "a" and the qualitative adjective "questionable". Its primary role is to modify a noun by ascribing a property of doubtfulness or uncertainty. According to Ludwig AI, this construction is standard and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a questionable" is a highly effective and grammatically correct tool for expressing doubt. It is categorized as very common in English, with a particularly high presence in authoritative news and scientific literature. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a reliable choice for professional writing. Whether used to describe "a questionable decision", "a questionable assumption" or "a questionable diagnosis", the phrase consistently serves to alert the reader to potential flaws or areas of debate. Its versatility across registers makes it an essential part of the critical writing toolkit, allowing for nuanced skepticism that remains objective and professional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dubious

suggests a stronger sense of suspicion or likelihood of being dishonest

a suspect

implies that the subject is likely to be faulty or untrustworthy

a debatable

focuses on the fact that the subject is open to argument or disagreement

a suspicious

carries a heavier connotation of potential wrongdoing or illegality

a controversial

indicates that the subject causes public disagreement or heated discussion

a problematic

highlights that the subject constitutes a problem or difficulty

a shaky

suggests that the foundation or evidence for the subject is weak

a contentious

emphasizes that the subject is likely to cause an argument

an uncertain

focuses on the lack of clarity or predictability rather than potential error

a skeptical

shifts the focus to the person having doubts rather than the object of doubt

FAQs

How do I use "a questionable" in a professional sentence?

In professional contexts, you can use it to critique logic, such as: "The report relies on <a href="/s/a+questionable+assumption" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a questionable assumption regarding market growth."

What is a more formal alternative to "a questionable"?

Depending on the specific nuance, you might use "<a href="/s/a+debatable" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a debatable" or "<a href="/s/a+contentious" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a contentious" to describe a point of disagreement in formal writing.

Is "a questionable" or "a suspect" more appropriate for describing evidence?

While both work, "a questionable" is often preferred for ideas or decisions, whereas "<a href="/s/a+suspect" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a suspect" often implies a stronger possibility of physical flaws or intentional deception.

Can "a questionable" be used to describe a person?

Yes, it is often used to describe someone's reputation or character, as in: "He has <a href="/s/a+questionable+past" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a questionable past."