a questionable one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a questionable one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is doubtful or uncertain in quality, validity, or morality. Example: "The decision to proceed with the project was a questionable one, given the lack of sufficient data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sport

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

This time those three pitchers, along with Alexi Ogando and the sensational rookie closer Neftali Feliz, combined for three and a third scoreless innings, allowing only one hit, and a questionable one at that.

The New York Times - Sports

The author's decision to describe the process is a questionable one — a book's great unknown can leave the strongest impression on a reader — but he executes as precisely as the surgeons who perform the unwinding.

The New York Times - Books

It's always a questionable one – how long should you hold the ball before it's dead?

The Guardian - Sport

As the realization dawned that this clearly merited pardon had been denied by a president who was himself the hopeful beneficiary of a questionable one, I lost it.

The New York Times

Partly it's a consequence of the idea – a questionable one – that great art, by redeeming us from "the noise of time", trumps everything, and therefore excuses shabby behaviour.

The Guardian - Books

As with the Bechdel test (Run Lola Run is a very feminist film that fails, and Showgirls is a questionable one that passes), our test has its limits.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

That something was the first public commitment by NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens to close hospitals that have become a kind of home, albeit a highly questionable one, to some 3,000 people with learning disabilities or autism whose behaviour is deemed "challenging".

The Guardian

This was a bold marketing move, to be sure, but a very questionable one.

TechCrunch

The match is remembered for an infamous penalty decision 12 minutes from time –was it Joe Jordan who handled Johnston's cross, or David Jones? – but few remember two other penalty shouts, a legitimate handball appeal in the area against Joey Jones, and a more questionable one when Jones upended Dalglish.

The Guardian - Sport

Although she was clearly feeling the pressure during rehearsal, she managed to pull off her Cha Cha (set to a somewhat questionable One Direction cover) with ease.

Huffington Post

The genre of new books by dead writers is a curious and questionable one, but Banville and his crime-writing pseudonym have played the game as well as anyone could.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a questionable one" when you want to express doubt or uncertainty about the validity, morality, or quality of something without being overly critical. This phrasing allows for a nuanced expression of skepticism.

Common error

While "a questionable one" is acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal writing. Opt for more precise and impactful alternatives such as "dubious" or "problematic" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a questionable one" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It serves to qualify the noun as being of doubtful quality, validity, or morality. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

20%

Books

13%

Less common in

Sport

7%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a questionable one" is a commonly used adjectival phrase to express doubt or uncertainty about something's validity, morality, or quality. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and appropriate for various writing contexts. While versatile, consider stronger alternatives like "dubious" or "problematic" in more formal settings or when expressing stronger disapproval. It appears frequently in news, science and book contexts, rendering it suitable for a wide audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dubious one

Emphasizes uncertainty or doubtfulness.

a doubtful one

Focuses on the uncertainty or lack of confidence.

a suspect one

Highlights the potential for something being untrustworthy or unreliable.

a problematic one

Indicates that something poses issues or difficulties.

a contentious one

Stresses the controversial nature of something.

a debatable one

Highlights that a topic is open to discussion or disagreement.

a challengeable one

Emphasizes the vulnerability to being questioned or opposed.

a flimsy one

Stresses the lack of strength or solidity.

a precarious one

Highlights the instability or insecurity of something.

a borderline one

Indicates that something barely meets the criteria or is on the edge of acceptability.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a questionable one" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "a dubious one", "a problematic one", or "a debatable one". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a questionable one" and "a dubious one"?

"A questionable one" implies uncertainty or doubt, while ""a dubious one"" suggests more suspicion or skepticism. "Dubious" carries a stronger connotation of potential dishonesty or unreliability.

Is it appropriate to use "a questionable one" in academic writing?

Yes, "a questionable one" is generally acceptable in academic writing, especially when you want to express measured skepticism. However, be sure to provide evidence or reasoning to support your assessment. In some contexts a stronger or more precise term could be more appropriate.

What are some situations where "a questionable one" might be too weak of a phrase?

If you want to express strong disapproval or certainty about something being wrong or unethical, "a questionable one" might be too mild. Consider using phrases like "unacceptable", "unethical", or "a reprehensible one" for a more forceful statement.