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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
it's questionable whether
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(20)
it's debatable whether
it's uncertain whether
it is open to question whether
it is doubtful whether
it is debatable whether
it is uncertain whether
it is dubious whether
it is unclear whether
it remains to be seen if
it is far from certain that
there is very little chance that
it's highly improbable that
the chances are slim that
it's a long shot that
it is doubtful that
it becomes unlikely that
it is improbable that
it is impossible that
it is questionable whether
it looks unlikely that
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
While Peck can cut Theglobe.com's costs, it's questionable whether he can increase the subscriber base or substantially increase advertising revenue.
News & Media
It's a strategy that's worked wonders so far, but without its market-leading chipset business to bolster sales, it's questionable whether Qualcomm's qcom patents are broad and deep enough to continue extracting royalty and licensing fees from cellular handset companies.
News & Media
As #MeToo continues to shed light on the industry's dark, masculine underbelly, it's questionable whether it's the right moment for a sultry story about a predatory man.
News & Media
Indeed, the city symphony tag is so slippery that it's questionable whether even its most famous example – Man with a Movie Camera (1929) – is a true city symphony.
News & Media
But the relationship between management and employees is extraordinarily bitter and it's questionable whether unions, which blame management for the airline's troubles, will concede to further salary and benefit cuts and new work rules.
News & Media
In other words, while Android is still growing, its growth is much smaller than before — and it's questionable whether it will continue to be the operating system of choice for smartphone buyers in the United States.
News & Media
But it's questionable whether this makes for a better book.
News & Media
"But it's questionable whether Mark or Dvorak will play".
News & Media
It's questionable whether he'll be good enough to earn every-down consideration as a pro.
News & Media
"It's questionable whether there's a huge market for this," he said, "but it's fun".
News & Media
"It's questionable whether the balance should be used for anything other than a Lincoln Center constituent".
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Place the phrase at the beginning of a sentence to establish a skeptical tone for the entire following clause.
Common error
Avoid following the phrase with 'if' in highly formal contexts; 'whether' is generally preferred when presenting alternatives. Additionally, do not say 'it's a questionable question whether', as the skepticism is already implied by the adjective.
Source & Trust
92%
Authority and reliability
4.9/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "it's questionable whether" functions as an introductory formula to a subordinate noun clause. It uses an expletive 'it' as a dummy subject, followed by a copula and a predicative adjective that sets the modality of doubt. In Ludwig AI, this pattern is consistently seen as a tool for transitioning from a statement of fact to a critical evaluation.
Frequent in
News & Media
75%
Formal & Business
15%
Science
10%
Less common in
Social Media
3%
Wiki
2%
Informal Conversation
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "it's questionable whether" is a versatile and highly authoritative phrase used to express skepticism. Ludwig AI data shows that it is a favorite among journalists at The New York Times and The Guardian for challenging the feasibility of plans or the truth of assertions. It serves as a sophisticated linguistic bridge between an idea and its critique, maintaining a formal yet accessible tone. Whether you are writing a business report or a scientific analysis, this phrase remains a reliable choice for introducing nuanced doubt.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
it is doubtful whether
Expresses a slightly stronger sense of disbelief or skepticism compared to the original.
it is debatable whether
Suggests that there are valid arguments on both sides of the issue.
it is open to question whether
A highly formal idiomatic variation often used in academic or legal writing.
it is uncertain whether
A more neutral way to express a lack of knowledge or predictability.
there are doubts as to whether
Uses a noun-based structure to distance the speaker from the skepticism.
it is dubious whether
Carries a more critical or suspicious tone regarding the subject.
it is unclear whether
Focuses on the lack of clarity or information rather than the validity.
it remains to be seen if
Focuses on the future outcome rather than current skepticism.
it is far from certain that
Emphasizes the significant degree of doubt involved.
one might wonder if
Softens the skepticism by framing it as a personal or general curiosity.
FAQs
How to use "it's questionable whether" in a sentence?
You can use it to introduce doubt about a specific situation, such as: "Given the current budget, "it's questionable whether" the project will finish on time."
What can I say instead of "it's questionable whether"?
You can use more direct alternatives like "it's doubtful whether", "it's debatable whether", or "it's uncertain whether" depending on the level of doubt you want to convey.
Which is correct, "it's questionable whether" or "it's questionable if"?
Both are used in modern English, but "it's questionable whether" is considered more formal and precise in professional writing.
Is "it's questionable whether" too informal for an essay?
No, it is perfectly appropriate for academic and formal essays. If you want even more formality, you might choose "it is open to question whether".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
92%
Authority and reliability
4.9/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested