is doubtful whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is doubtful whether" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty about a particular situation or outcome. Example: "It is doubtful whether the event will take place due to the ongoing weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is doubtful whether it ever had any real existence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Alas, it is doubtful whether many Australians enjoyed the show.

Independent

It is doubtful whether he even considered the possible repercussions.

Independent

It is doubtful whether the admiration goes two ways.

The Guardian

It is doubtful whether Cole will play again this season.

The Guardian - Sport

It is doubtful whether doing this would achieve its purpose".

The Guardian

However, it is doubtful whether he can actually win the election, rather than just saving seats.

Independent

But it is doubtful whether this sort of violence can be stopped.

The Economist

Certainly it is doubtful whether added manpower does much to deter terrorist attempts.

The Economist

The Foreign Ministry said, "It is doubtful whether this is how justice will be rendered".

The New York Times

It is doubtful whether a replacement could make much difference in practical terms.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is doubtful whether" to express uncertainty or skepticism, especially when the outcome is unclear or the evidence is not conclusive. For instance, "It is doubtful whether the project will be completed on time given the current delays."

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions when using "is doubtful whether". Instead of "It is doubtful whether the new policy will be implemented by the government", consider rephrasing for directness: "It's doubtful the government will implement the new policy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is doubtful whether" functions as a connector introducing a clause expressing uncertainty or skepticism. It links a statement with a condition or outcome whose realization is questionable. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is doubtful whether" serves as a crucial tool for expressing uncertainty, skepticism, or a lack of confidence in various situations. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. While alternatives like "is uncertain whether" and "is questionable whether" exist, "is doubtful whether" often carries a slightly stronger sense of disbelief. Remember to avoid overusing the passive voice when constructing sentences with this phrase for optimal clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is uncertain whether

Expresses doubt using "uncertain" instead of "doubtful", suggesting a lack of sureness.

is questionable whether

Replaces "doubtful" with "questionable", implying that something is open to debate or doubt.

is dubious whether

Uses "dubious" which indicates a stronger sense of doubt or suspicion.

is unlikely that

Shifts from questioning to stating a low probability.

is improbable that

Indicates a situation that is not likely to happen or be true.

it remains to be seen whether

Suggests that the outcome is still unknown and requires further observation.

it is not clear whether

Highlights a lack of clarity or understanding about a situation.

one might wonder whether

Introduces a sense of curiosity or speculation about a particular matter.

it is open to question whether

Emphasizes that the matter is debatable and not yet settled.

it is up for debate whether

Implies an ongoing discussion or argument about the likelihood or truth of something.

FAQs

How can I use "is doubtful whether" in a sentence?

Use "is doubtful whether" to express uncertainty or skepticism about a future event or situation. For example, "It is doubtful whether the company will meet its projected earnings this quarter".

What are some alternatives to "is doubtful whether"?

You can use alternatives such as "is uncertain whether", "is questionable whether", or "is unlikely that" to express similar sentiments.

Is it better to use "is doubtful whether" or "is it doubtful that"?

"Is doubtful whether" is generally used to introduce a clause expressing uncertainty, while "is it doubtful that" is less common and can sound awkward. Sticking with "is doubtful whether" usually provides a clearer and more concise sentence structure.

What's the difference between "is doubtful whether" and "is uncertain whether"?

While both express uncertainty, "is doubtful whether" often carries a slightly stronger sense of skepticism or disbelief, while "is uncertain whether" is a more neutral expression of not being sure.