doubtful expression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doubtful expression" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a facial expression or demeanor that conveys uncertainty or skepticism. Example: "Her doubtful expression made it clear that she was not convinced by his explanation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The main differences between the two approaches are the somewhat doubtful expression employed by Cooper and Harrison for the "cut-off" radius for ion ion interactions, and the much greater generality of the earlier theory.

Electrochimica Acta

indicates very low or doubtful expression, – no expression.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Even for this group of regulated genes, transcriptional regulation seems doubtful because expression peaked at different times in the cell cycle for the different genes, and many flanking genes in the same polycistronic gene array were not regulated.

Plosone

It is, however, doubtful that CD133 expression in tumor-initiating cells is an absolute necessity in xenograft models, as it recently was shown that human brain tumors can be transplanted from CD133-negative cancer cells [ 63, 64].

BMC Cancer

Overexpression of HSP72 after short-term exposure (2 6 hr) of pulmonary cell line (A549) to acute Cd concentrations (higher than 50  μM) was considered an early biomarker for occupational exposure to Cd but long-term (1 month) chronic exposure in vivo made it doubtful because the expression of HSP72 decreased due to cellular adaptation to chronic Cd exposure [ 73].

BioMed Research International

The apparently highly expressed and unchanged miRNAs labelled in grey correspond to probes that consistently give signal on the microarrays, but whose expression is doubtful as they are not detectable in liver small RNA-seq and thus may rather represent false positive signals from the array.

eLife

Genes with a μint below the 10th percentile were considered to have very low expression with a doubtful biological significance.

BMC Genomics

We note that on a genome-wide scale, it is doubtful that any approach, including direct cell type-specific expression measurements, will yield a completely unambiguous classification.

BMC Genomics

Sonia is the one who admires Le Corbusier, and though Alexander can recognise the quality of the building when he's inside it, he's doubtful about the underlying assumptions – "machine for living, I mean, the very expression.

The Guardian - Books

While it may seem that faith and religion are more divisive than unifying, people from all backgrounds -- devout and doubtful alike -- have something to be thankful for, and this universal expression of gratitude dissolves many boundaries.

Huffington Post

In glioblastomas with low expression level of IL-1 β, the anti-tumor potential of LY29004 is doubtful, whereas LY29004 might represent an effective therapeutic agent in glioblastomas with high expression level of IL-1 β.

Cell Death and Disease

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doubtful expression" to subtly convey uncertainty or skepticism without explicitly stating it. This can add nuance to your writing, allowing the reader to interpret the character's feelings through their appearance.

Common error

Avoid using "doubtful expression" when a more direct statement of disbelief or skepticism is required. The phrase is subtle, and its impact can be lost if the context demands a stronger declaration of doubt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doubtful expression" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase. It is used to characterize a facial expression or general demeanor that conveys uncertainty, skepticism, or disbelief. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing reactions or attitudes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "doubtful expression" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in English, functioning as a descriptive phrase to convey uncertainty or skepticism through facial expressions or demeanor. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples spanning scientific and news domains. While not overly frequent, it effectively adds nuance to writing by implying doubt rather than stating it directly. Consider alternatives like "skeptical look" or "uncertain demeanor" depending on the context, and avoid using it when a more explicit statement of disbelief is needed. The key is to appreciate its subtlety and employ it appropriately to enhance the reader's understanding of the subject's internal state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unconvinced look

Directly states the lack of conviction in the expression.

skeptical look

Focuses on the visual aspect of doubt through a facial expression.

uncertain demeanor

Emphasizes the overall behavior and attitude reflecting doubt.

disbelieving face

Highlights the disbelief evident in the facial expression.

dubious countenance

Uses more formal language to describe a doubtful facial expression.

questioning glance

Highlights the act of questioning through a look.

incredulous gaze

Suggests a stronger sense of disbelief through a stare.

suspicious air

Conveys doubt through an atmosphere or impression.

wary aspect

Implies caution and distrust in the expression.

pessimistic outlook

Expresses a negative expectation of something, showing doubt.

FAQs

How can I use "doubtful expression" in a sentence?

You can use "doubtful expression" to describe someone's facial expression when they are uncertain or skeptical about something. For example: "Her doubtful expression made it clear she didn't believe his story."

What's a more formal alternative to "doubtful expression"?

A more formal alternative could be "dubious countenance" or "skeptical demeanor". These phrases convey a similar meaning but are more appropriate for formal or academic writing.

What are some synonyms for "doubtful expression"?

Synonyms include "skeptical look", "uncertain demeanor", or "questioning glance". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "doubtful expression"?

While grammatically correct, using "doubtful expression" might be inappropriate if the context requires a more direct statement of disbelief or if describing something other than a facial expression or demeanor. In such cases, a more explicit phrase might be more effective.