dubious decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dubious decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a choice or judgment that is questionable or uncertain in its validity or wisdom. Example: "The board's approval of the project was met with skepticism, as many considered it a dubious decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Discussions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Because there were no outs, it was a dubious decision.

The New York Times - Sports

Manager Tony La Russa said Walker was bunting for a hit, which was a dubious decision.

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe the I.O.C. will negate the whole dubious decision and start all over again.

The New York Times - Sports

Since Clemens is a creature of routine, it seemed like a dubious decision.

The New York Times - Sports

The most dubious decision he made was to bring an indictment so quickly, rather than taking more time to investigate.

The New York Times

This came after the most dubious decision of the deal was made in favour of BAE Systems.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

The MS Society claims Garrity's case is "the latest example of inconsistent and dubious decision-making by local health authorities on Sativex".

The Guardian

Just the ticket for powering through a day of dubious decision-making and 3am tweets, no? Jo Travers, a dietitian and author of The Low-Fad Diet, is unconvinced.

The Guardian

That was the first of many dubious decisions to come.

The Guardian - Music

The latter enables to take into account dubious decisions identified by the NNIG.

Neurocomputing

Because of these dubious decisions, GE's ratio of debt to earnings has soared from 1.5 in 2013 to 3.7 in early 2018, according to Moody's.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dubious decision", ensure the context clearly indicates why the decision is questionable. Providing specific reasons or potential negative consequences strengthens the impact.

Common error

While "dubious decision" is widely understood, overuse in highly formal or academic writing can sound informal. Consider stronger, more precise alternatives like "questionable judgment" or "unsubstantiated determination" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dubious decision" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "dubious" modifies the noun "decision". It describes a decision characterized by doubt or questionability. Ludwig AI validates this usage with examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Sports

21%

General Discussions

13%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dubious decision" is a common phrase used to describe a choice that is questionable or uncertain. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct, and it's frequently found in news, sports, and general discussions. While "dubious decision" is acceptable in most contexts, more formal alternatives like "questionable judgment" may be preferable in academic or highly professional settings. Understanding its nuances and potential alternatives will enhance your writing precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

questionable judgment

Replaces "decision" with "judgment", focusing on the evaluation aspect.

doubtful choice

Substitutes "dubious" with "doubtful" and "decision" with "choice", highlighting the uncertainty.

debatable action

Replaces "dubious" with "debatable" and "decision" with "action", emphasizing the controversial aspect.

controversial determination

Replaces "dubious" with "controversial" and "decision" with "determination", suggesting widespread disagreement.

contentious resolution

Substitutes "dubious" with "contentious" and "decision" with "resolution", implying heated debate.

ill-advised move

Replaces "dubious decision" with an assessment of the action's wisdom.

unwise course of action

Similar to "ill-advised move", but more formal and descriptive.

suspect judgment call

Replaces "dubious" with "suspect" and "decision" with "judgment call", suggesting potential wrongdoing.

poorly considered option

Focuses on the lack of careful thought behind the choice.

rash choice

Emphasizes the impulsive nature of the decision, implying a lack of deliberation.

FAQs

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

You can use "dubious decision" to describe a choice that seems questionable or unreliable. For example, "The manager's choice to bench the star player was a "dubious decision" that cost the team the game".

What are some alternatives to "dubious decision"?

Alternatives include "questionable judgment", "doubtful choice", or "ill-advised move". The best alternative depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey. You can use alternatives like "questionable judgment", "doubtful choice", or "ill-advised move".

Is "dubious decision" formal or informal?

The phrase "dubious decision" falls somewhere in the middle. While understandable in most contexts, it's more common in news and general discussions than in formal academic writing. For more formal alternatives, consider "questionable judgment" or "unsubstantiated determination".

What makes a decision "dubious"?

A "dubious decision" is one where the wisdom, validity, or appropriateness is uncertain or suspect. This could be due to a lack of information, conflicting evidence, potential negative consequences, or a perception that it goes against common sense or established practices. The decision could also be seen as "controversial determination" or poorly justified.