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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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it's questionable whether

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

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

Forbes

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

Forbes

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

Vice

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

The Guardian

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

Forbes

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

The New York Times

But it's questionable whether this makes for a better book.

"But it's questionable whether Mark or Dvorak will play".

It's questionable whether he'll be good enough to earn every-down consideration as a pro.

News & Media

The New York Times

"It's questionable whether there's a huge market for this," he said, "but it's fun".

News & Media

The New Yorker

"It's questionable whether the balance should be used for anything other than a Lincoln Center constituent".

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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.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

Expression frequency: Very common

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.

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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Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.9/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: