dubious prospect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dubious prospect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or outcome that is uncertain or questionable in terms of its likelihood of success or validity. Example: "Investing in that startup seems like a dubious prospect given its lack of a solid business plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But the work also raised the more dubious prospect of a prenatal test for sexual orientation.

The Guardian

Yet a world that might correspond to the one seen in his painting "The Menaced Assassin" presents a dubious prospect.

The New York Times - Arts

It seemed a dubious prospect: a presentation of a bubbly holiday favorite, Johann Strauss's "Fledermaus," in April.

The New York Times - Arts

Oracle is also holding a free concert for show attendees late into Wednesday, making attendance at an early Thursday session a dubious prospect.

The New York Times

Until that dubious prospect is realized, however, we shouldn't expect our architects to do more than aestheticize the actual urban condition.

The New York Times - Arts

"Younger booksellers now face, of course, the dubious prospect of their older colleagues rolling out war stories of Harry Potter launches for the next five months.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Dubious prospects.

The New York Times - Sports

From the autumn of 1791 the king tied his hopes of political salvation to the dubious prospects of foreign intervention.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Successful schools for the poor have long been written off as wildflowers in the educational desert that dominates their neighborhoods -- mirages or miracles, but dubious prospects for portability.

The New York Times

No resident of Drumthwacket, the governor's mansion, wants to hear gambling analysts complaining to whoever will listen about dubious prospects for Atlantic City.

The New York Times

This is an area where a federal stimulus program could both pay for needed projects and put to work a sector of the economy that has otherwise dubious prospects, even if the overall economy does continue to improve.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dubious prospect", consider whether a more specific term would better capture the nature of the doubt. For example, instead of "a dubious prospect for success", you might say "a risky venture" or "an uncertain undertaking".

Common error

While "dubious prospect" is generally acceptable, be mindful of overuse in highly formal writing. In such cases, consider stronger or more precise language, such as "questionable outcome" or "uncertain future."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dubious prospect" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "dubious" modifies the noun "prospect". It typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, describing something as having uncertain or questionable potential. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dubious prospect" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for expressing uncertainty or skepticism about a future possibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English and finds frequent application in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. When employing the phrase, consider whether it precisely captures the nuances of your doubt, and be mindful of overusing it in highly formal settings. Remember that alternative phrasing, such as "uncertain outlook" or "questionable possibility", may sometimes be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncertain outlook

Focuses on the lack of clarity regarding the future.

questionable possibility

Highlights the doubt surrounding the likelihood of something happening.

unpromising scenario

Highlights the lack of positive indicators in a potential future situation.

doubtful outcome

Emphasizes the skepticism about a particular result.

chancy situation

Highlights that the opportunity is unsafe, uncertain, or insecure.

tenuous hope

Suggests that there is a reason to hope, but it's very weak.

risky venture

Emphasizes the element of danger and potential loss.

slim chance

Indicates a low probability of success.

speculative endeavor

Suggests that the activity relies heavily on guesswork.

remote eventuality

Implies that the possibility is unlikely to occur.

FAQs

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

You can use "dubious prospect" to describe a situation or outcome that is uncertain or questionable. For example, "Investing in that startup seems like a "dubious prospect" given its lack of a solid business plan."

What can I say instead of "dubious prospect"?

You can use alternatives like "uncertain outlook", "questionable possibility", or "doubtful outcome" depending on the context.

Is "dubious prospect" formal or informal?

"Dubious prospect" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While it can be used in various contexts, consider the specific tone of your writing and choose a synonym if a more informal or formal tone is required.

What's the difference between "dubious prospect" and "bleak outlook"?

"Dubious prospect" suggests uncertainty and doubt about a future possibility, while "bleak outlook" implies a negative or pessimistic view of the future.