dubious about

USAGE SUMMARY

"dubious about" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to express doubt or uncertainty about something. Example: I was dubious about accepting the job offer, as the company's financial stability was questionable.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm dubious about a lot of things now.

The New York Times

Dubious about "American exceptionalism"?

The New Yorker

Martin was dubious about that.

Harvard University

You're dubious about this?

The Guardian - Opinion

That, I'm dubious about.

The Guardian - Film

We are dubious about this notion.

The New Yorker

Investors themselves seem dubious about that idea.

The Economist

Employers are very dubious about that.

The Economist

I'm certainly dubious about that".

The New York Times

America's manufacturers seem dubious about the recovery.

The Economist

There's nothing dubious about the merits here.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dubious about", ensure that the object of your doubt is clearly specified to avoid ambiguity. For example, "I am dubious about his claims" is clearer than simply "I am dubious."

Common error

While "dubious about" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone seem overly informal. Consider using more sophisticated synonyms like "skeptical of" or "uncertain concerning" in academic or professional settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dubious about" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a state of uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

17%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dubious about" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express doubt or uncertainty. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in news and media, academic writing, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's important to ensure clarity by specifying what exactly you are dubious about. While acceptable in many situations, slightly more formal synonyms might be preferable in highly professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skeptical of

Replaces "dubious" with "skeptical", implying a questioning attitude.

having doubts about

Uses the simpler term "doubts" to express uncertainty.

doubtful regarding

Uses "doubtful" instead of "dubious" and "regarding" instead of "about", offering a slightly more formal tone.

uncertain concerning

Substitutes "dubious" with "uncertain" and "about" with "concerning", resulting in a more cautious expression.

not entirely convinced about

Expresses a lack of complete belief or persuasion.

questioning the validity of

Replaces the entire phrase with a more explicit expression of questioning something's truth.

unpersuaded by

Focuses on the lack of convincing evidence or arguments.

harboring reservations about

Employs a more descriptive phrase indicating held back concerns.

suspicious of

Implies a stronger sense of distrust or disbelief.

apprehensive about

Suggests worry or anxiety in addition to doubt.

FAQs

How can I use "dubious about" in a sentence?

You can use "dubious about" to express uncertainty or doubt regarding a particular subject. For example, "I am dubious about the accuracy of the data" expresses skepticism about the data's correctness.

What are some alternatives to "dubious about"?

Alternatives include "skeptical of", "doubtful regarding", and "uncertain concerning". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it better to say "dubious about" or "skeptical about"?

Both "dubious about" and "skeptical about" are correct and convey a similar meaning. "Skeptical" is often perceived as slightly stronger and more formal than "dubious".

What does it mean to be "dubious about" something?

To be "dubious about" something means you have doubts or reservations concerning it. You are not fully convinced or certain about its truth, validity, or reliability.