dubious attitude

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dubious attitude" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a skeptical or uncertain mindset towards a situation or opinion. Example: "Her dubious attitude towards the new policy raised concerns among her colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Gorgeous, snow-topped Switzerland, with its adorable cuckoo clocks and dubious attitude to Nazi gold, didn't give women the vote until 1971.

The Guardian - Opinion

He repeated what he thought of the latest anti-Semitic attacks... "My dear man, the Jews provoke things: they have a dubious attitude and get mixed up in things that don't concern them".

The New Yorker

A dubious attitude to female fans (the red snapper incident; sex with groupies in bathtubs filled with baked beans; Jimmy Page's propensity for whipping) set new standards for rock pig excess, too. 2 Black Sabbath Zeppelin might have got there first, but Black Sabbath's influence on the genre has arguably been even greater.

The Guardian

Today he was in Indonesia, announcing a multimillion-pound deal with the national airline and praising "an inspiring democracy" – despite the Indonesian government's dubious attitude to peaceful demonstration and religious freedom, and reports of torture and extrajudicial executions by the country's security services.

The Guardian - Opinion

Alex Neve, from the Islington Against Spies campaign group (see here), has said :"We're saying he's not a suitable person to be working here, supervising students, some of whom may be vulnerable, when he's shown evidence of having a very dubious attitude towards women and consent in the past.

The Guardian

Usually, anti-anxiety medication is recommended on the basis that emetophobes tend to have baggage disorders like agoraphobia, OCD, and depression, and due to our dubious attitude toward side effects, antiemetics are designated before that.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Otherwise it's a whole load of pompous eejits getting exercised about the minutiae of the rules in a sport with bigger problems like, say, its dubious attitudes on race and gender relations.

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm dubious of the attitude that says there is no salvation outside GMOs," said Herve Guyomard, scientific director for agriculture at Europe's largest farm research centre, France's National Institute for Agronomical Research INRAA).

Huffington Post

I've gained 8 pounds!"; "No cons"; "Sometimes I feel like I love my job too much" — and under "Advice to management," when the reviewer writes some version of "Keep up the great work!" Hohman has the same attitude toward dubious positive reviews as he does toward agenda-driven rants.

The New Yorker

The label is dubious, because Berg displayed a profoundly ambivalent attitude toward the ideology of progress which his teacher articulated.

The New Yorker

Youssouf, her brother, said: "As she grew up, she lacked points of reference and in the end chose this carefree attitude, running away more and more often, hanging out with dubious people".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dubious attitude" to convey a sense of uncertainty or suspicion, but be mindful of the negative connotations. Consider whether a more neutral term like "questioning stance" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "dubious attitude" as a blanket statement. Always provide specific reasons or evidence to support why the attitude is questionable. This adds credibility to your analysis and prevents generalizations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dubious attitude" functions as a descriptive term, typically used to characterize someone's skeptical or uncertain disposition towards a particular situation, idea, or proposal. As Ludwig AI explains, it's used to express a questioning or doubtful perspective.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dubious attitude" is a descriptive phrase indicating skepticism or uncertainty, commonly found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The phrase functions to convey a questioning perspective, prompting critical examination. While alternatives like "skeptical stance" or "questionable outlook" exist, "dubious attitude" maintains its utility in expressing a thoughtful, albeit skeptical, viewpoint. It's important to provide context when using this phrase, as overuse without justification can weaken its impact. Overall, "dubious attitude" serves as a nuanced term in expressing doubt or uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skeptical stance

Focuses on a position of doubt or disbelief.

questionable outlook

Emphasizes a perspective that is open to doubt.

doubtful mindset

Highlights a state of mind characterized by uncertainty.

uncertain disposition

Implies a hesitant or unresolved inclination.

wary approach

Suggests caution and a lack of complete trust.

suspicious outlook

Highlights a perspective marked by distrust.

cynical perspective

Implies a distrusting or pessimistic view.

ambivalent sentiment

Expresses mixed or contradictory feelings.

unconvinced position

Indicates a lack of belief or persuasion.

hesitant viewpoint

Implies a tentative or wavering perspective.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "dubious attitude" in a sentence?

To use "dubious attitude" effectively, clearly state the subject having the attitude and the object of their doubt. For example, "Her "dubious attitude" toward the proposal stemmed from concerns about its financial feasibility".

What are some alternatives to "dubious attitude" that I can use?

You can use alternatives like "skeptical stance", "questionable outlook", or "doubtful mindset" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to have a "dubious attitude"?

While "dubious attitude" often implies skepticism, it isn't always negative. It can indicate a healthy critical thinking or a necessary caution in uncertain situations. The context determines whether it's beneficial or detrimental.

What's the difference between "dubious attitude" and "cynical perspective"?

"Dubious attitude" suggests uncertainty or questioning, while "cynical perspective" implies a distrusting and pessimistic view. "Dubious" is more neutral, while "cynical" is inherently negative.