doubtful questions

USAGE SUMMARY

"doubtful questions" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to inquiries that have uncertain answers or are difficult to answer, such as, "Are we living in a simulated reality?," or "Is there a higher power?".

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But this cannot be done properly by taking away from the jury doubtful questions of fact.

Cornell University

The use of exempla is the practical embodiment of John's Academic skepticism and probabilism: because he does not wish to appear to pass dogmatic judgment on doubtful questions, he lines up the pronouncements of the wise in support.

SEP

As McGinnis explains, while founding era jurists believed that doubtful questions concerning constitutionality could be rendered clear through tried-and-true interpretive principles and disciplined inquiry into the available evidence, Thayer believed that this was a fool's errand.

Huffington Post

Go through the exam again, erasing any tiny "x" that you can, repeating this elimination process -- until you come to a standstill, as follows: Check/redo doubtful questions that you had marked, that you have tried/answered, without looking at your original answers to see whether another process comes to mind.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Instead, it has focussed on the doubtful question of whether denying refuge to Syrian families might increase public safety.

The New Yorker

A much more doubtful question arises from the Buyer's use of the motor and its accessories which began on February 20th , 1946

Harvard University

Rachel Aroesti Even the most fork-tongued politician can extract applause from a doubtful Question Time audience by employing a goodly dose of bombast.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

How much of this they can take in at this stage is doubtful.' Questions you should be asking With the new advice options coming in, it will be increasingly important to know who you are dealing with when you seek out financial guidance.

The Guardian - Money

It is doubtful such questions can measure reading ability accurately since students often do not read the passages.

Language Testing in Asia

This was not because we wanted to devalue its appropriateness for sampling plans, but rather because its contribution would be doubtful to the questions of this paper, based entirely on traditional frequentist statistics.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Such a discussion is not necessary, and it may be doubtful whether the question is presented to us by this record.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "doubtful questions", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the questions doubtful. Specify whether the doubt arises from lack of evidence, conflicting information, or inherent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "doubtful questions" as a vague substitute for more specific terms like "complex questions" or "unanswered questions". Ensure the term accurately reflects the presence of genuine doubt or uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doubtful questions" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "doubtful" modifies the noun "questions". It identifies questions characterized by uncertainty, skepticism, or lack of clear answers. As Ludwig AI says, this is a correct expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "doubtful questions" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe inquiries marked by uncertainty or skepticism. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears across diverse contexts, especially in academia, news media, and scientific discussions. When employing this phrase, ensure that the source and nature of the doubt are clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider employing synonyms such as "uncertain inquiries" or "questionable inquiries" to provide nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncertain inquiries

Focuses on the lack of certainty in the answers being sought.

questionable inquiries

Emphasizes the dubiousness or suspect nature of the questions themselves.

dubious inquiries

Similar to questionable, but may imply a stronger sense of mistrust.

debatable inquiries

Highlights that the questions are open to discussion and disagreement.

disputable inquiries

Like debatable, but suggests a higher likelihood of contention.

unsettled questions

Emphasizes the lack of resolution or agreement on the matter.

open to debate questions

Highlights the quality of encouraging a debate.

controversial questions

This questions are really hard to give an answer.

unresolved inquiries

Focuses on an outcome of the phrase.

ambiguous inquiries

This phrase is more technical, referring to not clear questions.

FAQs

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

You can use "doubtful questions" to refer to inquiries that have uncertain answers, such as, "The investigation raised several "doubtful questions" about the company's financial practices".

What are some alternatives to "doubtful questions"?

Alternatives include "uncertain inquiries", "questionable inquiries", or "dubious inquiries", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What makes a question "doubtful"?

A question is considered "doubtful" when its answer is uncertain, lacks sufficient evidence, or is subject to conflicting interpretations.

Is it correct to use "doubtful questions" in formal writing?

Yes, "doubtful questions" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in academic or professional contexts where critical analysis and evaluation of evidence are important.