dubious opportunity

USAGE SUMMARY

"dubious opportunity" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a chance or situation that seems questionable or unreliable. Example: "He was presented with a dubious opportunity that raised many red flags." Alternative expressions include "questionable chance" and "doubtful prospect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

For Mr. Dewhurst, appearing with Mr. Cruz offers a dubious opportunity to elevate the stature of someone who is trailing in the polls and to go toe to toe with a trained and dangerous legal advocate.

The New York Times

You can spot a "Sparkle pony" by her rainbow dreads, platforms and preening, while you will certainly have the dubious opportunity to see several "shirtcockers", men who sport a shirt and nothing else.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A thumping Labour win might assuage the party but Mr Brown would be naive to bank on one.Rather than relying on these dubious opportunities, Mr Brown instead could come out fighting by voluntarily submitting himself to a leadership contest, as John Major did in 1995.

The Economist

To collect your winnings, send $29.95 to….") and about phony investment schemes (oil drilling, gold mining, gold coins and other "opportunities" of dubious value).

The New York Times

In fact, a "MIS-TAKE," if fixed quickly and in a creative way, can become a wonderful opportunity to turn a dubious "victim" into a delighted partner!

WikiHow

He turned to increasingly dubious sources of credit and branding opportunities at home and abroad.

The New Yorker

A bill could have offered a permanent solution, expanded legal immigration opportunities, and avoided the dubious constitutionality of a far-reaching executive order.

Huffington Post

In other words, when given the opportunity to make money in dubious circumstances -- people take the money.

Huffington Post

At that point Abramovich was a trader in oil products, keen to muscle into the lucrative opportunities offered by Russia's dubious privatisation programme.

The Guardian

But Republicans love them and use every opportunity they get to applaud this dubious industry.

Huffington Post

One of them, Shlomo Krauss, criticized the outskirts of Israel for "their dubious infrastructure, failing public transportation and zero employment opportunities" in a widely circulated op-ed laying out the protesters' gripes, with the headline, "Don't call us spoiled".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

This phrase is particularly effective in satirical or ironic contexts where an 'opportunity' is actually a burden in disguise.

Common error

Avoid using "dubious opportunity" to describe something that simply cannot happen. It describes a situation that is very much possible or present, but whose value, ethics, or logic is deeply questionable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dubious opportunity" functions as a noun phrase consisting of the adjective 'dubious' modifying the noun 'opportunity'. In the examples provided by Ludwig AI, it serves as a cynical or cautious descriptor within a sentence, often acting as the object of a verb (e.g., 'pursuing some "dubious ones"') or as part of a prepositional phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "dubious opportunity" is a precise and high-level phrase used to describe a chance that is suspect or of questionable value. While its exact frequency is relatively low compared to simpler terms, it is a favorite among elite publications like The New York Times and The Economist for its ability to convey nuanced skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and most effective when used to highlight the irony of a situation or to warn against an unreliable prospect. When you want to sound analytical and cautious in your writing, this is an excellent choice over more common synonyms like "risky chance".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

questionable chance

Provides a more neutral tone compared to the slightly more judgmental or literary dubious.

doubtful prospect

Shifts the focus slightly toward the likely failure of the future outcome.

suspect occasion

Used in more formal contexts to imply that the situation may be ethically or legally compromised.

unreliable possibility

Highlights that the opportunity cannot be counted on to deliver what it promises.

problematic venture

Focuses on the inherent difficulties or complications rather than just the uncertainty.

risky opening

Emphasizes the potential for loss rather than just the question of its validity.

ambiguous chance

Suggests that the nature of the opportunity is unclear or can be interpreted in multiple ways.

sketchy opening

A significantly more informal or colloquial version often used in casual conversation or blogs.

precarious lead

Suggests the opportunity is unstable and likely to vanish or cause trouble.

shady deal

Specifically implies an element of dishonesty or underhanded behavior.

FAQs

How do I use "dubious opportunity" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation that seems like a benefit but is actually problematic. For example: "The candidate was given the "dubious opportunity" to defend a policy that was widely unpopular with the public."

What can I say instead of "dubious opportunity"?

Depending on your tone, you might use alternatives like "questionable chance", "doubtful prospect", or the more informal "sketchy opening".

Is "dubious opportunity" a common phrase?

While the exact string is somewhat rare, the combination of the adjective 'dubious' with nouns like 'prospects' or 'claims' is very common in high-level journalism and academic writing found on Ludwig.

What is the difference between "dubious opportunity" and "shady deal"?

A "shady deal" usually implies illegal or immoral activities, whereas "dubious opportunity" is a broader term that can just mean the chance is unlikely to be successful or beneficial.