dubious method

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dubious method" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a method that is questionable, unreliable, or not to be trusted. Example: "The researchers employed a dubious method to gather their data, raising concerns about the validity of their findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

For these reasons, among others, comma counting is an unusually dubious method of Constitutional analysis.

The New Yorker

Greenberg claimed to have arrived at this conclusion by use of mass comparison, a somewhat dubious method he developed that uses similarities in vocabularies among languages to show genetic relation (the method is often criticized for building hypotheses without real evidence).

Encyclopedia Britannica

4 Dubious method invocation.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

But even that seemingly straightforward designation turns out to be misleading since Enron's revenue was generated through the a dubious method it used to book energy trades.

Forbes

But instead of relying on a dubious method of energy conservation, CO2Stats measures the amount of energy used by its servers and the computers of its users and purchases renewable energy certificates (similar to carbon credits) to offset the environmental toll.

TechCrunch

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Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

If replacing the drawer pull had been a nearly insuperable task akin to the labors of Hercules, you might have considered -- and, I hope, rejected -- such dubious methods.

The New York Times - Magazine

Other papers, themselves not above using dubious methods to get a story, displayed a similar reluctance to dig.But the book is only partly about phone-hacking.

The Economist

Strang and Buting come across as tireless fighters for justice in the film as they unpick the dubious methods used by the prosecution against Avery and Dassey, a teenager with learning disabilities.

The Guardian

The auto-rickshaw is a sublimely apt symbol for contemporary India, one that combines both the desire for progress and the dubious methods by which that progress is sought.

The New York Times - Travel

Robb stirs things up, stripping away artifice, avoiding what he calls "weasel qualifiers" and adding "a fair slug of inference" to explore the parts less dubious methods have so far failed to reach.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dubious method" to express your lack of confidence in a specific approach, especially when you suspect it may produce inaccurate or misleading results.

Common error

Avoid labeling a method as "dubious" without providing a clear rationale. Simply stating that a method is "dubious" lacks persuasive power. Support your claim with evidence and logical reasoning to make your critique convincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dubious method" functions as a noun phrase, where "dubious" modifies the noun "method". It is used to characterize a particular method as questionable, unreliable, or ethically suspect. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correct usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dubious method" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe a method that is questionable, unreliable, or not to be trusted. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across various contexts. While it's not an extremely frequent phrase, appearing "uncommon"ly in writing, it is effective for expressing skepticism or criticism. It frequently appears in News & Media and Scientific sources. When using "dubious method", provide specific reasons for your doubt to strengthen your argument. Alternatives include "questionable approach" and "suspect technique".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

questionable approach

Emphasizes the uncertainty and lack of reliability in the approach.

suspect technique

Highlights the potential for the technique to be flawed or untrustworthy.

unreliable strategy

Focuses on the lack of dependability of the chosen strategy.

doubtful tactic

Suggests the tactic is not likely to succeed or is ethically questionable.

tenuous process

Implies the process is weak and easily challenged.

shaky procedure

Conveys a sense of instability and potential failure in the procedure.

controversial methodology

Highlights disagreement and debate surrounding the methodology.

debatable practice

Indicates that the practice is open to discussion and disagreement.

fishy scheme

Suggests that the scheme is suspicious and potentially illegal.

implausible plan

Indicates that the plan is unlikely to be successful or believable.

FAQs

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

You can use "dubious method" to describe something questionable or unreliable, as in, "The company employed a "dubious method" to inflate its sales figures."

What are some alternatives to using "dubious method"?

Alternatives include "questionable approach", "suspect technique", or "unreliable strategy", depending on the specific context.

Is "dubious method" a formal or informal phrase?

"Dubious method" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What makes a method "dubious"?

A method is "dubious" when it is open to doubt or suspicion, often because it is based on questionable assumptions, lacks sufficient evidence, or produces inconsistent results.