doubtful whether

USAGE SUMMARY

"doubtful whether" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express uncertainty about something. For example: I am doubtful whether we will be able to complete the project on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is doubtful whether he will live.

The Guardian

Today it is doubtful whether there is one.

The Guardian

It is doubtful whether it ever had any real existence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is also highly doubtful whether it can be successful.

The New York Times - Books

It is doubtful whether he even considered the possible repercussions.

Independent

Alas, it is doubtful whether many Australians enjoyed the show.

Independent

It is doubtful whether the admiration goes two ways.

The Guardian

It is doubtful whether Cole will play again this season.

The Guardian - Sport

It is doubtful whether doing this would achieve its purpose".

The Guardian

However, it is doubtful whether fully subsidizing bus fares is financially sustainable.

Transport Policy

But it remains doubtful whether the similar cultural imprint indicates an original identity of stock.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, using "doubtful whether" adds a layer of professional skepticism without being overly dismissive. This can be particularly useful when analyzing evidence or arguments.

Common error

Avoid using "doubtful whether" in direct questions. It's a statement of uncertainty, not a way to solicit information. Instead of "Is it doubtful whether the project will succeed?", ask "Is the project likely to succeed?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doubtful whether" functions as a connector to introduce a clause expressing uncertainty or skepticism. According to Ludwig AI, it's a perfectly correct phrase. It sets up a condition or possibility that is being questioned.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "doubtful whether" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that expresses uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts. It's most commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific writing, lending a formal tone. While similar phrases exist, such as "uncertain whether" or "dubious whether", "doubtful whether" effectively communicates a lack of conviction regarding a specific situation or outcome. Use "doubtful whether" to add a degree of professional skepticism in your writing, while being mindful to avoid using it in direct questions. Overall, the phrase's strong presence in authoritative sources solidifies its reliability and appropriateness in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncertain whether

Focuses on a lack of certainty, similar to "doubtful whether" but emphasizes the absence of sureness.

dubious whether

Implies a stronger sense of skepticism or disbelief than "doubtful whether".

questionable whether

Puts more emphasis on the validity or truthfulness of something being under question.

unlikely whether

Shifts the emphasis to the low probability of something occurring or being true, whereas "doubtful whether" expresses uncertainty.

open to doubt whether

Emphasizes that something can reasonably be doubted, making the uncertainty explicit.

improbable whether

Highlights the low likelihood of something, similar to "unlikely whether".

subject to doubt whether

Indicates that something is liable to be doubted, showing a predisposition to uncertainty.

not certain whether

Similar to "not sure whether", but slightly more formal.

not sure whether

A more informal way of expressing uncertainty; contrasts with the more formal "doubtful whether".

hard to say whether

Indicates that determining something is difficult, adding a dimension of assessment difficulty.

FAQs

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

"Doubtful whether" is used to express uncertainty or skepticism about a particular outcome or situation. For example: "It is doubtful whether the negotiations will succeed."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "doubtful whether"?

Alternatives to "doubtful whether" include "uncertain whether", "unlikely whether", and "dubious whether". These phrases also convey a sense of uncertainty.

Is it more appropriate to use "doubtful that" or "doubtful whether"?

Both "doubtful that" and "doubtful whether" are acceptable, but "doubtful whether" is generally preferred when expressing uncertainty about a conditional situation. For example, "It is doubtful whether he will attend the meeting" is more common than "It is doubtful that he will attend the meeting".

Can "doubtful whether" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

While "doubtful whether" is suitable for both formal and informal settings, it is more commonly found in formal writing. In informal contexts, phrases like "not sure if" or "not certain if" might be more appropriate.