dubious information

USAGE SUMMARY

"dubious information" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to information that is doubtful or suspicious, or appears to be unreliable. For example: "The detective was suspicious of the witness' testimony, as their dubious information seemed to contradict other reports."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

This led to a great discussion about asking the right questions and verifying dubious information.

The New York Times

Villagers often provide dubious information, identifying rival tribes as Taliban collaborators while denying there are any militants in their village.

The New York Times

But the case files were filled with dubious information about inmates' time at Bo Robinson, workers said.

The New York Times

This dubious information is gleaned from Paige Marshall Kelly Macdonaldd), the angelic, too-good-to-be-true doctor treating the worsening dementia of his mother, Ida Angelica Hustonn).

The New York Times

Speculation that he may have tapped into legally dubious information wasn't just whispered in private but splashed across the pages of The Wall Street Journal in a 2006 profile that raised questions about whether his firm traded improperly.

The New York Times

Tony Blair, the British prime minister, said that he would have resigned had there been any truth to a BBC report in May that his government had embellished an Iraq intelligence dossier with dubious information.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

But, I'm dubious based information I tripped over while writing How to Make a Million Dollars an Hour: How Hedge Funds get Away with Siphoning off America's Wealth (Wiley, 2013).

Huffington Post

As too large delays in relocation may result in dubious movement information due to a too weak serial correlation, an upper recording time limit, Tmax, has been introduced to filter out couples of successive relocations that are not sufficiently serially correlated to warrant that the animal was more likely to be in between them than anywhere in its HR at intermediate times.

Plosone

Sources are dubious when all information is untethered and you can just drive your own cherry-picking truck into an orchard of bullshit.

The Guardian

Little of this sad, well-told anecdote can be blamed on the dubious notion that information wants to be free, but the author can't help note (rightly) that it transpired while he was on his way to talk to journalism students.

The New Yorker

The investigators are finding that Countrywide's loan documents often were marked by dubious or erroneous information about its mortgage clients, according to people involved in the matter.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "dubious information", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the information is questionable. Provide specific reasons or evidence to support your assessment, such as conflicting reports or unreliable sources.

Common error

Avoid using "dubious information" when the information is definitively false. Instead, opt for terms like "misinformation", "falsehood", or "fabrication" to accurately reflect the nature of the inaccuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dubious information" functions as a noun phrase, where "dubious" modifies the noun "information". It describes the quality or character of the information, indicating that it is questionable or unreliable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used to denote uncertainty regarding facts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dubious information" is a commonly used phrase to describe information that is questionable or unreliable. It functions as a noun phrase and aims to convey skepticism or uncertainty. According to Ludwig AI, this term is correct and appropriate for indicating potential untrustworthiness. While versatile across different registers, it is most frequently encountered in news and media, as evidenced by examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. Remember to provide context when using this phrase to support your assessment with clear evidence and avoid exaggerating the level of uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

questionable information

Emphasizes the uncertainty and the potential for doubt concerning the information's accuracy.

suspect intelligence

Focuses on the reliability and trustworthiness of the information, especially in contexts like espionage or investigations.

unreliable data

Highlights the lack of dependability and the potential for errors in the information.

tenuous evidence

Indicates the weakness and fragility of the information as support for a claim or argument.

shaky details

Implies the instability and potential for collapse or failure of the information's integrity.

fishy facts

Suggests something is wrong or dishonest about the presented information.

debatable claims

Indicates the information is open to argument or dispute.

contested data

Highlights that the data is being actively disputed or challenged.

unconfirmed reports

Points out the lack of verification or validation of the information.

hearsay evidence

Indicates the information is based on secondhand accounts rather than direct knowledge.

FAQs

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

You can use "dubious information" to describe data or claims that are questionable or unreliable. For example, "The report contained "dubious information" about the company's financial status, raising concerns among investors."

What are some alternatives to saying "dubious information"?

Instead of "dubious information", you could use phrases like "questionable information", "unreliable data", or "suspect intelligence" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "dubious information" or "false information"?

The choice between "dubious information" and "false information" depends on the context. "Dubious information" suggests uncertainty or doubt about the information's validity, while "false information" implies that the information is known to be untrue. If you are not sure of the information's veracity, "dubious" is more appropriate.

What's the difference between "dubious information" and "suspicious information"?

"Dubious information" suggests that the information is of questionable quality or reliability. "Suspicious information", on the other hand, implies that there is reason to believe the information may be intentionally misleading or connected to some wrongdoing. So, "suspicious information" often carries a connotation of potential illegality or malice that "dubious information" might not.