a questionable concept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a questionable concept" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an idea or notion that is uncertain, dubious, or open to doubt. Example: "The theory presented in the article is a questionable concept that lacks sufficient evidence to support its claims."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In the spring of 2003, Republicans controlled both houses of Congress, so "bipartisanship" was a somewhat questionable concept to begin with.

Huffington Post

When all but the biggest hit records seem ephemeral, you might think that this questionable concept questionably presented would be a dim memory to all but Ms. Fleming's most passionate devotees.

The New York Times - Arts

Not an anatomical literalization of a questionable anthropological concept floating among many others on a fun, yes, but scarcely reliable website even students are cautioned against taking too seriously.

Huffington Post

She piles the romance on to her very questionable "concepts" or "myths", and in particular creates characters, always young women, and invariably suffering from some form of grief and loss, and takes them on a journey of discovery, until luck and usually love turn back their way.

Independent

Instead one relies heavily on questionable concepts such as 'trained professionals' to excuse the low effort towards usability.

Procedia Manufacturing

Its throw-any-idea-against-the-wall-to-see what-sticks approach led to the birth of some rather questionable concepts.

Forbes

The watchword for the judges this year has been "readability" — at best a highly subjective concept and, at worst, a questionable standard by which to judge the value of a work of "literary fiction" (another notoriously vexed categorization).

The New Yorker

While the random effects approach proposed by Yang et al. (2010) is innovative and appropriate, the concept of using an estimated correlation matrix instead of the actual correlation matrix is a questionable heuristic.

Bioinformatics

Besides offering a questionable interpretation of the legal duty to behave reasonably, economic analysis arguably fails to make good sense of the concept of legal duty more generally.

SEP

It is a questionable decision.

The Economist

The Colorados are a questionable lot.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a questionable concept", ensure that you provide context or reasons for your skepticism. Avoid simply stating that something is "a questionable concept" without further elaboration.

Common error

Avoid using "a questionable concept" as a dismissive statement. Always provide a rationale for why the concept is questionable, backing up your claim with evidence or reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a questionable concept" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "questionable" modifies the noun "concept". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, denoting an idea or notion that is uncertain or dubious.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Wiki

9%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a questionable concept" denotes an idea or notion that is uncertain, dubious, or open to doubt. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. Its primary function is to express skepticism and highlight potential flaws in a concept. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it is commonly found in news and media, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, it is crucial to provide context and justification for your skepticism, rather than simply dismissing an idea without further explanation. Alternatives include "a dubious notion", "a suspect idea", and "a doubtful premise".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dubious notion

Replaces "concept" with "notion" and "questionable" with "dubious", suggesting a stronger sense of doubt.

a suspect idea

Substitutes "questionable" with "suspect", implying potential deception or unreliability.

a doubtful premise

Replaces "concept" with "premise", focusing on the foundational aspect, and "questionable" with "doubtful", indicating uncertainty.

a contentious theory

Replaces "questionable" with "contentious", highlighting the potential for disagreement or debate.

a challengeable assumption

Replaces "questionable" with "challengeable", suggesting the concept can be disputed.

an uncertain proposition

Replaces "questionable" with "uncertain", indicating a lack of confidence or clarity.

a shaky argument

Substitutes "concept" with "argument", shifting the focus to the reasoning, and "questionable" with "shaky", implying instability.

a flimsy justification

Replaces "concept" with "justification", focusing on reasons, and "questionable" with "flimsy", suggesting weak support.

a problematic approach

Substitutes "questionable" with "problematic", indicating that it causes difficulties or raises concerns.

a debatable point

Replaces "concept" with "point", shifting focus to a specific idea and using "debatable" instead of "questionable" meaning it is open to argument.

FAQs

How can I use "a questionable concept" in a sentence?

You can use "a questionable concept" to express doubt or skepticism about an idea. For example, "The idea that increased surveillance leads to greater safety is "a questionable concept", as it could also infringe on civil liberties."

What are some alternatives to "a questionable concept"?

Alternatives include "a dubious notion", "a suspect idea", or "a doubtful premise", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a questionable concept" in formal writing?

Yes, "a questionable concept" is suitable for formal writing, especially when presenting a critical analysis or argument. However, ensure your skepticism is well-supported with evidence and logical reasoning.

What makes a concept "questionable"?

A concept might be "questionable" if it lacks sufficient evidence, relies on flawed logic, contradicts established knowledge, or has potential negative consequences. The term suggests that the concept warrants further scrutiny.