dubious questions

USAGE SUMMARY

"dubious questions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you have doubts about the motives, accuracy, or intent of a particular question. For example: "The interviewer asked me a few dubious questions, and I didn't know how to respond."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Three weeks later, after the Trump campaign had repeatedly raised dubious questions about Hillary Clinton's health, Bornstein released another public statement attesting to his patient's vim and vigor.

The New Yorker

Unclear and dubious questions were excluded.

BMC Family Practice

To answer these strongly dubious questions, certain checks can be carried out.

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In this reductive economic standoff, Scots are defined only by geographical residency, our identity dependent on resolving the currency problem, our future pegged on the dubious question of EU membership.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even that champion of bloated government, Teddy Kennedy, seemed dubious: "The question is whether shifting the deck chairs on the Titanic is the way to go".

The New York Times

422, is another admirable illustration of why we should not require cases raising a dubious constitutional question as to the validity of State convictions to be brought here before habeas corpus is sought in the District Courts.

Cornell University

As the legality of emulators is somewhat dubious, some questioned whether or not such an item would be allowed in Google's Android Market.

TechCrunch

Lending to an investor to buy your shares is a deeply dubious concept, raising questions of legality and disclosure.

The Guardian - Business

Google, via its News Lab arm, is backing a collaborative verification platform called CrossCheck, that will launch in France on February 27 and continue through the French elections — bringing together a raft of local media companies to power a website where members of the public can report content they believe to be dubious, or ask questions for CrossCheck's media partners to respond to.

TechCrunch

And if you know only the incorrect spelling, you can replace dubious letters with question marks, and the app will retrieve the correct word.

The New York Times - Tech

Once it became clear that he was likely to win, Labour excluded new members (many on dubious grounds) and questioned the validity of its own election process.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dubious questions" when you want to express that certain inquiries are questionable in their intent, validity, or origin. This implies a level of skepticism or mistrust regarding the questions themselves.

Common error

Avoid using "dubious questions" excessively in highly formal or academic writing where a more neutral term like "unclear questions" or "unresolved questions" might be more appropriate, unless you specifically want to convey skepticism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dubious questions" functions as a noun phrase where "dubious" modifies the noun "questions". This construction typically serves to categorize the nature of the questions being asked, suggesting they are questionable, suspect, or unreliable. Ludwig AI validates this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dubious questions" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe inquiries of questionable validity or intent. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While relatively rare, it appears across diverse contexts like news, science and academia. When using this phrase, be mindful of the subtle negative connotation and ensure it aligns with your intended level of skepticism. Consider semantically similar options like "suspicious questions" or "questionable questions" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doubtful questions

Highlights a lack of confidence or certainty about the questions.

suspect questions

Implies that the questions are potentially unreliable or untrustworthy.

suspicious questions

Implies that the questions themselves are grounds for suspicion or distrust.

sceptical questions

Emphasizes a questioning or doubting attitude towards the subject of inquiry.

murky questions

Suggests that the questions are unclear or obscured, rather than necessarily dishonest.

unsavoury questions

Indicates that the questions are distasteful or morally questionable.

controversial questions

Indicates that the questions are likely to cause disagreement or public debate.

debatable questions

Suggests that the questions are open to argument or discussion.

uncertain questions

Focuses on the lack of clarity or definiteness in the questions being posed.

objectionable questions

Highlights that the questions are offensive or inappropriate.

FAQs

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

You can use "dubious questions" to describe inquiries that seem questionable or suspicious. For example, "The lawyer raised several "dubious questions" during the cross-examination."

What are some alternatives to saying "dubious questions"?

Alternatives to "dubious questions" include "suspicious questions", "questionable questions", or "unreliable questions". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the term "dubious questions"?

Use "dubious questions" when you want to imply that certain questions are not only uncertain but also potentially misleading, dishonest, or based on flawed reasoning.

What is the difference between "dubious questions" and "difficult questions"?

"Dubious questions" suggests skepticism about the validity or intent of the questions, whereas "difficult questions" simply indicates that the questions are challenging to answer.