extremely doubtful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extremely doubtful" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to express a high level of uncertainty or skepticism about something. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as in expressing doubt about a fact, a statement, or a person's intentions. Example: "It is extremely doubtful that the company will be able to meet their ambitious sales targets this quarter, given the current market conditions." In this example, "extremely doubtful" conveys a strong sense of skepticism about the company's ability to achieve their sales goals.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Extremely doubtful).

The New York Times

All this makes the prospect of enacting the reforms the country badly needs extremely doubtful.

The Economist

The law "is paved with good intentions, but we are extremely doubtful about it," he said.

The New York Times

"It is extremely doubtful," reported the attending physicians, "that any useful degree of recovery will occur".

The New Yorker

However, many observers were extremely doubtful about Murray's decision to employ Mauresmo.

The Guardian - Sport

The news means the England captain is extremely doubtful for the World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

You're looking extremely doubtful that you could possibly learn anything at Yale, so maybe you're not, I don't know.

Yale University

It's extremely doubtful that a majority of the Tigers" fan base is "all in" for Chizik anymore.

The New York Times

True; but it is extremely doubtful that it will be salved by the introduction of the D'Hondt technique.

The Economist

Another friend reported, "The Counties annexed to yours are arranged so, as to render your Election, I fear, extremely doubtful".

The New Yorker

Tim Hardaway is probable, Grant Hill and Tim Duncan are questionable, and Allen Iverson is extremely doubtful.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "extremely doubtful", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being doubted. Provide supporting information to strengthen your statement. For instance, instead of simply stating "The project's success is extremely doubtful", elaborate: "The project's success is "extremely doubtful" given the current resource constraints and tight deadlines".

Common error

While "extremely doubtful" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "highly improbable", "very unlikely", or "seriously uncertain" to maintain reader engagement and showcase a richer vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extremely doubtful" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a strong sense of uncertainty or disbelief. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extremely doubtful" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a strong sense of uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms that it is frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news, academia, and scientific writing. While versatile, varying your vocabulary with alternatives like "highly questionable" or "very uncertain" can enhance your writing. The key is to ensure the context clearly indicates what is being doubted, providing supporting information to strengthen your statement, as overusing this expression can lead to repetitiveness. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for formal discussions and reports.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly questionable

Highlights the uncertainty about the validity or truthfulness of something.

highly skeptical

Focuses on a state of disbelief or doubt, particularly towards claims or assertions.

very unlikely

Emphasizes the low chance of something happening, with a slightly less formal tone.

quite dubious

Implies a strong sense of suspicion or mistrust regarding something.

seriously uncertain

Stresses the significant level of uncertainty involved.

very uncertain

Indicates a notable lack of confidence or clarity about something.

highly improbable

Focuses on the low probability of something occurring, rather than a feeling of doubt.

hard to believe

Highlights the difficulty in accepting something as true or valid.

open to question

Suggests that something is not settled or confirmed and remains debatable.

remote possibility

Indicates that something is possible but not very likely.

FAQs

How to use "extremely doubtful" in a sentence?

Use "extremely doubtful" to express a strong sense of uncertainty or disbelief about something. For example: "It is "extremely doubtful" that they will arrive on time due to the heavy traffic".

What can I say instead of "extremely doubtful"?

You can use alternatives such as "highly questionable", "very uncertain", or "hard to believe" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "extremely doubtful" or "very doubtful"?

Both "extremely doubtful" and "very doubtful" are correct, but "extremely doubtful" implies a stronger degree of uncertainty or skepticism than "very doubtful".

What's the difference between "extremely doubtful" and "highly skeptical"?

"Extremely doubtful" suggests a general sense of uncertainty, while "highly skeptical" implies a more active state of disbelief or questioning, particularly towards claims or assertions.