could be doubtful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be doubtful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty or skepticism about a situation or statement. Example: "The results of the experiment could be doubtful, given the inconsistencies in the data collected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The Da Silva brothers and Berbatov could be doubtful for the weekend after suffering injuries in the Palace clash.

Independent

If such an industrial practice is not taken into account during the heat recovery network synthesis task, the optimality of the proposed design could be doubtful.

Applied Thermal Engineering

The duo, and Gayle, could be doubtful for the second one-dayer on Tuesday at The Oval.

BBC

However, this would suggest a perfect linear score of the NEDOCS and the accuracy of the scores by categorising these into six categories could be doubtful this way.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

"I frankly think the CSIC Committee could have done a much better job by clearly distinguishing between the part of the work that is entirely sound from the bits and pieces which could be doubtful or bear anomalies.

Science Magazine

Because the fetuses did not constitute a homogenous sample, such a growth pattern could be doubtful for estimating the growth of liver volume during normal pregnancy.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Pardew also admitted Zaha could still be doubtful for the FA Cup final on 21 May even if he sits out the remaining league clashes against Stoke and Southampton.

The Guardian - Sport

The 43-year-old, who has returned to the top 100 in the world rankings this year, could now be doubtful for next week's Irish Open at Royal County Down.

BBC

Whether this could be extended is doubtful on legal grounds; the European Court ruled in 2011 that male and female annuities had to be equalised even though women, on average, live longer.

The Economist

Maljimar is in the Grand National but could be a doubtful stayer.

The Guardian - Sport

Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde could be listed as doubtful because of an ankle injury.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be doubtful", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being doubted. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "could be doubtful" when a stronger statement of disbelief or refutation is more appropriate. Ensure the level of doubt aligns with the evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be doubtful" functions as a hedge, softening a statement and expressing uncertainty or a lack of confidence in a particular outcome or assertion. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English for conveying skepticism. It often qualifies a preceding statement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Science

71%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be doubtful" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to convey uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig AI highlights its appropriateness in diverse writing contexts. While not exceedingly common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, mainly within news and scientific domains. Consider related alternatives such as "might be uncertain" or "may be questionable" to fine-tune your expression of doubt. When employing this phrase, ensure the object of your skepticism is clearly defined to maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be uncertain

Emphasizes a lack of certainty about a future outcome.

may be questionable

Suggests that something is open to doubt or dispute.

possibly be dubious

Implies a stronger sense of doubt, bordering on suspicion.

potentially be unreliable

Focuses on the lack of dependability or trustworthiness.

conceivably be suspect

Suggests that something might be considered untrustworthy or potentially harmful.

perhaps be precarious

Highlights the instability or insecurity of a situation.

improbably be accurate

Expresses doubt about the correctness or truthfulness of something.

unlikely to be valid

Indicates a low probability of something being true or legitimate.

hard to believe

Highlights disbelief of the situation.

open to question

Indicates that something is not settled and can be challenged.

FAQs

How can I use "could be doubtful" in a sentence?

You can use "could be doubtful" to express uncertainty about a statement or situation. For example, "The accuracy of the data "could be doubtful", given the small sample size".

What are some alternatives to "could be doubtful"?

Alternatives include "might be uncertain", "may be questionable", or "possibly be dubious". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of uncertainty you wish to convey.

Is "could be doubtful" grammatically correct?

Yes, "could be doubtful" is grammatically correct. It uses a modal verb ("could") with the verb "be" and the adjective "doubtful" to express a possibility or uncertainty.

What's the difference between "could be doubtful" and "is doubtful"?

"Could be doubtful" expresses a possibility or uncertainty, while "is doubtful" expresses a stronger sense of doubt. "The success of the project "could be doubtful"" suggests there is a possibility it might not succeed, while "The success of the project is doubtful" implies a stronger belief that it will not succeed.