dubious assertion

USAGE SUMMARY

"dubious assertion" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a statement that is questionable or uncertain and does not seem to be based on fact. For example: "His dubious assertion that he had won the lottery was met with disbelief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

That is a highly dubious assertion.

The New York Times

Administration officials said it was important to push back against China's dubious assertion of jurisdiction over international airspace.

The New York Times

Holyfield ventured that this American dream team might be the best ever, at which point it seemed a very dubious assertion.

The New York Times - Sports

This traditional formulation of a university's purpose serves us far better than Mr. Brooks's dubious assertion that "the future of the universities is in practical knowledge".

The New York Times

But during recent 60th anniversary celebrations of communist China's founding, several reports in state controlled newspapers revived the old myth.Another dubious assertion is being visibly perpetuated.

The Economist

Instead, the Fed has maintained that disclosure of the practice is adequate, a dubious assertion given the myriad ways to bury and distort disclosures.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

In the end, the court's decision rested heavily on two dubious assertions.

The New Yorker

Another red flag is misrepresentations of fact, like dubious assertions of a company's litigation record.

The New Yorker

Yesterday Crocker made some dubious assertions about Iraqi elites discovering the virtues of power-sharing.

The New York Times

Certainly, a legal scholar could skewer many of the dubious assertions Lessig makes while defending "open access".

The New York Times - Books

It demonstrates a sad consequence of the Iraq war: its discredited backers are committing the same error they did in 2003, making dubious assertions without solid evidence.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dubious assertion", ensure the context clearly indicates why the assertion is questionable. Provide evidence or reasoning to support your skepticism.

Common error

Avoid using "dubious assertion" repeatedly in a single text. Vary your language with synonyms like "questionable claim" or "unsubstantiated allegation" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dubious assertion" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "dubious" modifies the noun "assertion". It serves to describe a statement or declaration that is questionable or lacks credibility. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dubious assertion" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, mainly within the realm of news and media, to express skepticism about a statement's validity. Ludwig AI highlights its correct usage in written English. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly articulates the reasons for doubting the assertion, potentially offering counter-evidence. While versatile, avoid repetitive use by exploring related phrases such as "questionable claim" or "doubtful statement".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

questionable claim

Replaces "assertion" with "claim" and "dubious" with "questionable", maintaining a similar level of skepticism.

doubtful statement

Substitutes "assertion" with "statement" and "dubious" with "doubtful", offering a slightly more direct expression of doubt.

dubious proposition

Interchangeable in many contexts. Both highlight an element of doubt or uncertainty.

unsubstantiated allegation

Replaces "dubious" with "unsubstantiated" and "assertion" with "allegation", suggesting a lack of evidence to support the claim.

uncertain claim

By using different term, it changes the original sentence meaning.

tenuous argument

Changes "dubious assertion" to "tenuous argument", indicating the assertion is weak or flimsy.

contestable declaration

Uses "contestable" and "declaration" to suggest the assertion is open to debate or challenge.

debatable point

Replaces the original phrase to mean that it's not 100% clear.

shaky proposition

By using different term, it changes the original sentence meaning.

implausible contention

Indicates an assertion that is hard to believe or accept.

FAQs

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

You can use "dubious assertion" to express doubt or skepticism about a statement. For example, "The politician's "dubious assertion" that taxes could be cut without affecting services was met with widespread skepticism."

What are some alternatives to "dubious assertion"?

Alternatives include "questionable claim", "doubtful statement", or "unsubstantiated allegation". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "dubious assertion" formal or informal?

"Dubious assertion" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in news and analytical writing. The formality depends more on the surrounding language than the phrase itself.

What makes an assertion "dubious"?

An assertion is considered "dubious" when it lacks sufficient evidence, contradicts known facts, or relies on questionable reasoning. It suggests the assertion should be viewed with skepticism.