doubtful looking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doubtful looking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that appears uncertain or suspicious in appearance. Example: "The cat had a doubtful looking expression as it cautiously approached the unfamiliar object."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

She gave me a doubtful look.

The New Yorker

He casts a doubtful look at me, then points towards the tiller.

Independent

When I told him that I roomed with him, too, he gave me a doubtful look.

The New Yorker

[cartoon id= gross-2009-09-14"] When I told him that I roomed with him, too, he gave me a doubtful look.

The New Yorker

Pointing out that Britain was in 1999 the worlds sixth-biggest producer of hydrocarbons (bigger than Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Nigeria, to name a few) provokes doubtful looks from colleagues and incredulous enquiries from fact-checkers.The obscurity of Britain's oil business is difficult to explain.

The Economist

He would pass me a doubtful look.

Huffington Post

I see a collection of doubtful looks until one chips in: "Pretty much none.

Vice

She giggles to herself when she muffs a shot, never glares at linesmen who make doubtful calls, looks apologetic when she belts an unreturnable ball at her opponent.

The New York Times - Magazine

The phishers try to trick web users by mimicking the doubtful URL look legitimate.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Even a banking union, which is essential for the euro's survival, looks increasingly doubtful (see Charlemagne).It is not too late for Mr Hollande to recover.

The Economist

The passage of any health bill now looks highly doubtful (see next story), but this did not stop the administration from writing $150 billion in health-care savings over ten years into its budget.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doubtful looking" to subtly convey uncertainty or skepticism without explicitly stating disbelief. This can add nuance to descriptions of characters or situations, allowing readers to interpret the level of doubt for themselves.

Common error

While "doubtful looking" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overuse in highly formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for more precise or sophisticated language to convey skepticism or uncertainty for this kind of audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doubtful looking" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that something or someone appears to be uncertain, questionable, or untrustworthy, according to Ludwig AI. Examples show its use in describing expressions and prospects.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "doubtful looking" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase used to convey uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While its frequency is relatively rare, the phrase is acceptable and appears in various contexts, including news and media, science and formal business communications. To convey a sense of uncertainty consider using alternatives such as "skeptical appearance", "dubious expression" or "uncertain gaze".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skeptical appearance

Replaces "doubtful" with "skeptical" and "looking" with "appearance", focusing on a questioning attitude.

dubious expression

Substitutes "doubtful" with "dubious" and "looking" with "expression", highlighting uncertainty.

uncertain gaze

Replaces "doubtful" with "uncertain" and "looking" with "gaze", suggesting a lack of conviction.

questioning look

Substitutes "doubtful" with "questioning" and "looking" with "look", emphasizing inquiry or challenge.

suspicious demeanor

Replaces "doubtful" with "suspicious" and "looking" with "demeanor", indicating distrust.

incredulous face

Replaces "doubtful" with "incredulous" and "looking" with "face", expressing disbelief.

hesitant countenance

Substitutes "doubtful" with "hesitant" and "looking" with "countenance", suggesting reluctance.

unconvinced aspect

Replaces "doubtful" with "unconvinced" and "looking" with "aspect", indicating a lack of persuasion.

apprehensive air

Substitutes "doubtful" with "apprehensive" and "looking" with "air", suggesting anxiety or fear.

pessimistic outlook

Replaces "doubtful" with "pessimistic" and "looking" with "outlook", focusing on a negative expectation.

FAQs

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

You can use "doubtful looking" to describe someone or something that appears uncertain or untrustworthy. For example, "The proposal received a "doubtful looking" response from the board members".

What are some alternatives to "doubtful looking"?

Alternatives include "skeptical appearance", "dubious expression", or "uncertain gaze", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "doubtful looking" formal or informal?

"Doubtful looking" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. It's suitable for everyday conversation and many types of writing, but might be too informal for strictly formal or academic contexts.

When should I avoid using "doubtful looking"?

Avoid using "doubtful looking" in situations where a more precise or sophisticated expression of uncertainty is required, such as in formal reports or critical analyses. Instead, consider alternatives like "questionable" or "dubious".