dubious requirements

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dubious requirements" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe conditions or criteria that are questionable or not clearly justified. Example: "The project was delayed due to the dubious requirements set by the client, which raised concerns among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When FORBES profiled Denton last year, he identified ten companies that met his dubious requirements and were due for a turnaround (June 2 , 1997.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It appears that the banking lobby also somehow inserted into the law the dubious requirement that troubled homeowners repay all home equity loans before qualifying.

The New York Times

Many of the nearly 500 breweries across the country–usually owned by local governments–are protected from outside brews by dubious health requirements and arbitrary duties.

Forbes

But so it goes with the dubious awareness requirement.

Huffington Post

Once this is understood, the trade of the historical novelist doesn't seem so reprehensible or dubious; the only requirement is for conjecture to be plausible and grounded in the best facts one can get.

The Guardian - Books

Which brings me back to that superb Hilary Mantel article, where the two-time Booker prize-winner also writes: "The trade of the historical novelist doesn't seem so reprehensible or dubious; the only requirement is for conjecture to be plausible and grounded in the best facts one can get".

The Guardian - Books

The categorization of these requirements becomes dubious and challenging for a software engineer since lot of techniques already is in existence.

Materials Today: Proceedings

Preoccupied with trying to understand ambiguous and shifting tenure requirements, and faced with a dubious future if they don't win tenure, probationary faculty admit to feelings of ambivalence, anxiety, and vulnerability.

Science Magazine

Inserting collateral requirements retroactively would be constitutionally dubious as it violates the sanctity of contracts, and would neither be fair nor smart, but the company can easily handle such requirement.

Huffington Post

But imposing a turnout requirement on strike ballots is dubious.

The Guardian - Business

Unless she can produce evidence that someone failed to comply with a legal requirement, Rose's crusade is dubious at best.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dubious requirements", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the requirements questionable. Provide specific examples or reasons to support your assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "dubious requirements" when the requirements are merely complex or challenging. "Dubious" implies a stronger sense of dishonesty or unreliability, not just difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dubious requirements" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "dubious" modifies the noun "requirements". Ludwig identifies that this is an evaluation, where something is being considered questionable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dubious requirements" is a valid phrase used to express doubt or skepticism about the legitimacy or necessity of certain conditions. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using the phrase, be clear about the reasons for your skepticism and avoid overstating the dubiousness if the requirements are merely complex. Alternatives such as ""questionable demands"" or ""suspect conditions"" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dubious criteria

Focuses specifically on the standards used for assessment that are questionable.

dubious preconditions

Highlights requirements which may have to be met before a process can begin.

questionable demands

Focuses on the demanding nature of the requirements while highlighting their doubtful validity.

suspect conditions

Emphasizes the untrustworthy nature of the requirements, suggesting they may be flawed or misleading.

uncertain prerequisites

Highlights the lack of clarity and definiteness in the requirements.

doubtful stipulations

Emphasizes the formal nature of requirements, yet questions their validity.

tenuous necessities

Focuses on the weakness or lack of solid basis for the requirements.

implausible conditions

Stresses the unlikelihood or unreasonableness of the requirements.

controversial demands

Highlights the controversial nature of the requirements.

unconvincing stipulations

Emphasizes a lack of persuasive or compelling nature in the requirements.

FAQs

What does "dubious requirements" mean?

The phrase "dubious requirements" refers to conditions or criteria that are questionable, suspect, or of uncertain validity. It implies that there may be reasons to doubt the legitimacy or necessity of these requirements.

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

You might use "dubious requirements" to express skepticism or disagreement about certain imposed conditions. For example: "The project was delayed due to the "dubious requirements" set by the client."

What are some alternatives to "dubious requirements"?

Alternatives to "dubious requirements" include "questionable demands", "suspect conditions", or "uncertain prerequisites", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to describe requirements as "dubious"?

It's appropriate to use "dubious" when there is evidence or a strong reason to believe that the requirements are not well-founded, are unfair, or serve a hidden agenda. It is less appropriate if the requirements are simply difficult or complex.