a touch dubious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a touch dubious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a slight doubt or skepticism about something. Example: "The proposal seemed a touch dubious, raising questions about its feasibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Life-writing calls for any number of dubious gifts: A touch of O.C.D., a lack of imagination, a large desk, neutrality of Swiss proportions, tactlessness, a high tolerance for archival dust.

The New York Times

"I was able to engage the idealism of a lot of wonderful people," said Mr. Sturz, whose selling style has been described by admirers as graciously flattering and by the dubious as a touch unctuous.

The New York Times

American food has a dubious reputation across the globe for being woefully over-processed (and therefore a touch on the tasteless side), yet also soaked in butter, oil and salt... in other words, "fake flavor".

Huffington Post

There would be a touch of schadenfreude in seeing so many celebrities fooled, if there were not so many ethically dubious aspects to the story.

The Guardian - Film

A touch.

The New York Times - Arts

And a touch paranoid.

The Economist

— just a touch dull.

The New York Times - Books

A touch wheel.

WikiHow

Do a Touch test.

WikiHow

Just a touch".

The New Yorker

(Oddly, Mr. Hiddleston is more appealing as a comic Cloten than as the earnest Posthumus, perhaps because he tends to belabor Posthumus's big speeches). As Iachimo, yet another no-good guy, Mr. Flanagan spins his nefarious plot with an amusing, slouchy indifference, although the hokey Italian accent is a dubious touch.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience when using "a touch dubious". In formal settings, more direct or professional language may be more appropriate.

Common error

While "a touch dubious" can be effective, avoid overuse, as it can dilute your message. If your skepticism is strong, use more direct language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a touch dubious" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a mild degree of doubt or skepticism. Ludwig AI shows usage across various contexts, highlighting its versatility in conveying nuanced opinions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"A touch dubious" is a phrase used to express a mild degree of doubt or skepticism. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in various contexts, although it's not exceedingly common. Alternatives include "slightly questionable" or "somewhat doubtful". While versatile, it’s important to consider the formality of the setting and the potential for overuse. Ludwig's analysis underscores its function as an adjectival phrase that softens criticism and expresses nuanced opinions. Understanding its appropriate usage enhances the precision and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly questionable

Emphasizes the questionable nature of something, but only to a slight degree.

somewhat doubtful

Highlights the presence of doubt, though not necessarily strong doubt.

a bit suspect

Suggests that something raises suspicions or concerns.

rather uncertain

Focuses on the lack of certainty surrounding something.

mildly skeptical

Directly expresses a degree of skepticism.

faintly implausible

Indicates a lack of plausibility, but only to a faint extent.

somewhat unconvincing

Suggests a lack of persuasiveness or credibility.

a shade unbelievable

Implies that something is difficult to believe.

barely credible

Highlights that something has very little credibility.

a little far-fetched

Indicates that something is improbable or unrealistic.

FAQs

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

You can use "a touch dubious" to express a mild level of skepticism or doubt, as in "The proposal seemed "a touch dubious", raising some concerns about its long-term viability."

What are some alternatives to "a touch dubious"?

Some alternatives to "a touch dubious" include "slightly questionable", "somewhat doubtful", or "a bit suspect" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a touch dubious" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a touch dubious" might be considered informal for some formal contexts. In such cases, alternatives like "slightly questionable" or "somewhat doubtful" may be more suitable.

What's the difference between "a touch dubious" and "very dubious"?

"A touch dubious" expresses a mild degree of doubt, while "very dubious" indicates a much stronger level of skepticism or disbelief.