doubtful outcome

USAGE SUMMARY

"doubtful outcome" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing situations where the result is uncertain or questionable. For example: "The team's chances of winning the match were a doubtful outcome." Alternative expressions include "uncertain result" and "questionable outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And since cutting aid is unlikely to work in any case, staking American prestige on such a doubtful outcome would be imprudent.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

For instance, 5/13 medically-treated patients were deferred from surgery due to a doubtful neurological outcome or severe comorbidities.

Critical Care

ELISA-based cross-matching was implemented in our tissue typing laboratory more than eight years ago and has become a reliable diagnostic crossmatch tool by reinvestigating nearly all samples which have been characterized by doubtful or invalid outcomes of the conventional CDC-CM.

BioMed Research International

"There were experiments whose outcome was doubtful," but they later supported the theory, he said.

The New York Times - Science

For the loved ones left behind by America's 4,000 dead, it is doubtful there is any outcome that could possibly merit their sacrifice.

The Guardian - Opinion

But despite ritual expressions of good faith from Mr Netanhayu and Mr Abbas, most experts are deeply doubtful of a successful outcome.

Independent

The President was certain of Wisconsin's twelve electoral votes, and only in Michigan and Indiana, of the Lake States, did the outcome remain doubtful.

The New York Times

But he was known to have been frustrated by the outcome, and doubtful whether anyone could steer through a major global agreement between wildly diverging rich and poor countries.

The Guardian

But further names may be added to this list, because this is a political conflict, pushed on by deliberate killing, which makes the book a memorial of doubtful impact and uncertain outcome.

The Economist

When that whose outcome was doubtful becomes certain, hope is changed into confidence, while fear is changed into despair.

SEP

The prospects for a successful outcome are doubtful given the two sides' distrust and fundamental antagonisms.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing future events or situations where the result is uncertain, use "doubtful outcome" to express a lack of confidence in a positive resolution.

Common error

Avoid using "doubtful outcome" when the result is already known or highly predictable. This phrase is best suited for scenarios involving genuine uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doubtful outcome" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "doubtful" modifies the noun "outcome". It expresses uncertainty or skepticism regarding a future result or consequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for expressing uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "doubtful outcome" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for expressing uncertainty about a result. While Ludwig AI confirms its general acceptability, it's most commonly found in news and scientific contexts. To enhance clarity, consider alternatives like "uncertain result" or "questionable outcome" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, ensure that the context involves genuine uncertainty rather than a known or highly predictable result. Keep in mind that the phrase is suitable for both formal and informal use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncertain result

Replaces "outcome" with "result", maintaining the sense of uncertainty.

unclear outcome

Substitutes "doubtful" with "unclear", focusing on the lack of clarity in the potential result.

dubious outcome

Uses "dubious" instead of "doubtful", conveying a sense of skepticism about the result.

questionable outcome

Replaces "doubtful" with "questionable", highlighting that the outcome is open to debate or doubt.

improbable result

Emphasizes the low probability of the outcome occurring.

unlikely consequence

Shifts the focus to the consequence, indicating it is not expected to happen.

tenuous prospect

Highlights the fragility and uncertainty of the potential outcome.

risky proposition

Focuses on the potential risks associated with the outcome.

speculative conclusion

Suggests the outcome is based on conjecture rather than solid evidence.

uncertain forecast

Highlights the uncertainty in predicting the final result.

FAQs

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

You can use "doubtful outcome" to describe a situation where the result is uncertain or unlikely. For example, "The success of the negotiations remains a "doubtful outcome"".

What are some alternatives to "doubtful outcome"?

You can use alternatives like "uncertain result", "unclear outcome", or "dubious outcome" depending on the context.

Is "doubtful outcome" formal or informal?

"Doubtful outcome" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in news and professional writing.

What's the difference between "doubtful outcome" and "unlikely outcome"?

"Doubtful outcome" suggests a lack of confidence in a positive result, while "unlikely outcome" simply implies that the result is improbable, without necessarily expressing doubt.