is of dubious value

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is of dubious value" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express skepticism or uncertainty about the worth or usefulness of something. Example: "The research findings presented in the report are interesting, but their practical application is of dubious value."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The corporate strategy is of dubious value.

The New York Times

Problem No. 3: Research suggests that all this rigorous testing is of dubious value.

The New York Times

You offer data that suggest religion is of dubious value to black women.

The New York Times

But the ubiquitousness of cancer in our culture is of dubious value to those living with the disease.

The Guardian - Opinion

A yearlong study is raising questions about the widespread use of antibiotics in nursing homes to treat infections in patients with terminal dementia — a treatment that the authors suggest is of dubious value to the patients and may be dangerous in the long run.

The New York Times - Health

AthleteDirect's parent, Broadband Sports, shelved its planned Nasdaq offering this August, and Kournikova's stake is of dubious value.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Not long ago residential property within sniffing distance of the canal was of dubious value.

The New York Times - Arts

But the lending was of dubious value to the rest of us.

The New York Times

And the bases are of dubious value to the United States because the Saudis tightly restrict how we use them.

The New York Times

Animal testing is expensive and can be of dubious value, and scientists would prefer cheaper and more reliable alternatives.

The Economist

Others are of dubious value – the promise to tax larger businesses more and smaller ones less, say.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is of dubious value" when you want to express a polite but firm skepticism about the real worth or effectiveness of something. It suggests a more nuanced doubt than simply saying something is 'useless'.

Common error

Avoid using "is of dubious value" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like 'not very helpful' or 'questionable' in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is of dubious value" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun, expressing a judgment or opinion about its worth or usefulness. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase often introduces a degree of skepticism or uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

32%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is of dubious value" serves as a nuanced way to express uncertainty about the worth or effectiveness of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for formal contexts. While commonly found in news and media, it also sees usage in scientific and business domains. When aiming for a less formal tone, consider alternatives like "questionable" or "not very helpful". Understanding the appropriate context and register ensures effective communication when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is questionable in value

Replaces 'dubious' with 'questionable', suggesting a lack of certainty about its value.

is of uncertain worth

Substitutes 'dubious' with 'uncertain', emphasizing the lack of clarity regarding its value.

has limited merit

Focuses on the limited amount of positive qualities or advantages.

is of doubtful benefit

Replaces 'value' with 'benefit', highlighting skepticism about its advantages.

is hardly beneficial

Emphasizes a strong lack of advantage or positive impact.

is of marginal utility

Uses 'marginal utility' to indicate a very small degree of usefulness or value.

is not particularly effective

Shifts the focus to the lack of effectiveness rather than inherent value.

is of little practical use

Highlights the lack of real-world applicability or usefulness.

is rather unhelpful

Simplifies the expression to a more direct assessment of its lack of assistance.

is of theoretical interest only

Suggests it only holds value in theory, lacking practical application.

FAQs

How can I use "is of dubious value" in a sentence?

You can use "is of dubious value" to express uncertainty about the usefulness or worth of something. For example: "The long-term benefits of this investment "is of dubious value".".

What are some alternatives to "is of dubious value"?

Alternatives include "is questionable in value", "is of uncertain worth", or "has limited merit", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "is of dubious value" formal or informal?

"Is of dubious value" leans toward the formal side. In less formal settings, simpler phrases like "not very useful" or "questionable" might be more appropriate.

When is it appropriate to use "is of dubious value"?

It's appropriate to use "is of dubious value" in situations where you need to express a considered judgment about the uncertain worth or effectiveness of something, often in academic, professional, or journalistic contexts.