doubtful

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'doubtful' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing uncertainty about something. Example sentence: I'm doubtful that I'll be able to finish this project on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It seems doubtful.

The New York Times

This is where the city's Youth Hostel is located, but it is doubtful if even the most ardent traveller gets to discover the quirky Food & Art.

The Guardian - Travel

Several Republican operatives in Iowa, where voters will have the first say on nominating the 2016 presidential candidates at the state caucuses in a year's time, were doubtful on Monday that Palin would enter the race.

The Guardian

But whether that will be enough to appease Cameron's backbenchers is doubtful.

The Guardian

It is even doubtful that Turkey would receive the all-out military support of its Nato allies should it go to war with Syria.

The Guardian

The team discusses the prospect of seeing the northern lights, but Fildes is doubtful.

The Guardian

That's not how the world works, and that's not what history shows us," Obama said, adding that if the US rejected what "the majority of the world considers a fair deal", it would be doubtful that the country could even keep in place its current international sanctions.

The Guardian

But after half time, Bozsik made it five; then a doubtful free kick was awarded and Hidegkuti completed his hat-trick.

The Guardian - Sport

"It is doubtful that hiring will be sustained at this pace for much longer," said Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit.

The Guardian - Business

Summing up Brandt's visit to Britain on 2 March 1970, this newspaper wrote: "It is doubtful if relations between Britain and Germany have ever been better – not on a basis of overflowing sentiment, but in terms of quiet trust, patience and understanding".

The Guardian

The historian, literary critic and whisky aficionado David Daiches once wrote: "Whether any country will ever be able to produce a Scotch-type whisky that is really comparable to genuine Scotch whisky in nature and quality remains doubtful".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doubtful" to express a moderate level of uncertainty. For stronger disbelief, consider "improbable" or "unlikely".

Common error

While "doubtful" is versatile, overuse can weaken your writing. Replace it with more precise alternatives like "uncertain", "dubious", or "questionable" to convey nuances effectively.

Linguistic Context

"Doubtful" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns or pronouns to express uncertainty, skepticism, or a lack of conviction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English to express uncertainty about something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "doubtful" is a versatile term for expressing uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage for expressing uncertainty. With a neutral register and frequent appearance in news and formal contexts, its effective usage lies in choosing precise alternatives like "uncertain" or "dubious" to avoid overuse and convey nuances appropriately. While the phrase is grammatically sound and common, writers should tailor their choice based on the desired level of formality and specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncertain

Indicates a lack of sureness or conviction, similar to "doubtful" but can also refer to future outcomes.

dubious

Suggests suspicion or hesitation about the truth or quality of something, implying a stronger sense of distrust than "doubtful".

questionable

Implies that something is open to doubt or dispute, often suggesting a need for further investigation.

improbable

Indicates that something is unlikely to happen or be true, focusing on the low probability rather than the feeling of doubt.

unlikely

A general term for something not expected to occur, similar to "improbable" but less formal.

skeptical

Expresses a disinclination to believe claims without sufficient evidence, emphasizing a critical mindset.

unsure

Suggests a lack of confidence or certainty, often referring to personal feelings or knowledge.

incredulous

Expresses disbelief or astonishment, implying a strong sense of surprise and skepticism.

hesitant

Indicates a reluctance or unwillingness to do something, often due to doubt or uncertainty.

suspicious

Suggests a feeling of distrust or suspicion about someone or something, often implying a belief that something is wrong or deceitful.

FAQs

How can I use "doubtful" in a sentence?

You can use "doubtful" to express uncertainty or skepticism. For example, "I am "doubtful" about the success of this project".

What are some alternatives to using "doubtful"?

You can use alternatives like "uncertain", "dubious", or "questionable" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "doubtful" in formal writing?

"Doubtful" is generally acceptable, but in very formal contexts, consider alternatives like "uncertain" or "debatable" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "doubtful" and "dubious"?

"Doubtful" generally expresses uncertainty, while "dubious" often implies suspicion or a lack of trustworthiness. The choice depends on whether you want to convey uncertainty or distrust.