it is doubtful that

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is doubtful that" is a grammatically-correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to express skepticism, or lack of confidence, in a particular situation. For example: "It is doubtful that he will arrive on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it is doubtful that former Gov.

The New York Times

Yet it is doubtful that investors need this protection.

Columbia University

Yet it is doubtful that much will change.

The Economist

It is doubtful that Oreopithecus habitually stood erect.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But it is doubtful that he believes this.

The Economist

It is doubtful that he ever found it.

Independent

It is doubtful that anyone would get it "wrong" today.

The New York Times - Books

It is doubtful that he could be reelected in 1999.

The New Yorker

It is doubtful that this will ever happen.

The New York Times

"It is doubtful that we responded properly," he said.

The Guardian - Business

It is doubtful that Zednik will return this season.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is doubtful that" when you want to express a moderate level of skepticism or uncertainty about a future event or a current claim. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "it is doubtful that" when you intend to convey complete disbelief or certainty of the opposite outcome. In such cases, a stronger statement might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is doubtful that" serves as a modal expression indicating uncertainty or skepticism regarding a particular proposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used. Examples from Ludwig show it preceding various claims to express the speaker's doubt about their validity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is doubtful that" is a versatile phrase used to convey skepticism or uncertainty. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and sees frequent use across diverse contexts. While suitable for both formal and informal communication, it's particularly prevalent in news, media, and academic writing. The phrase offers a nuanced way to express doubt, stronger than simply stating something is unlikely, but short of outright disbelief. When employing this phrase, consider the strength of your skepticism and choose accordingly, remembering its suitability for maintaining a neutral to formal tone. The provided examples via Ludwig showcase the phrase's adaptability in expressing uncertainty across various subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is improbable that

Replaces "doubtful" with "improbable", suggesting a lower likelihood but retaining the same overall meaning.

it is unlikely that

Substitutes "doubtful" with "unlikely", conveying a similar sense of low probability.

it is questionable whether

Changes the structure to a question format, highlighting uncertainty about a particular outcome.

it is far from certain that

Highlights the lack of certainty surrounding an event or situation.

one might question whether

Introduces a more subjective perspective, suggesting that someone may have doubts.

it is open to doubt whether

Emphasizes that the matter is not settled and is subject to questioning.

i am skeptical that

Expresses explicit skepticism about a claim or prediction.

there is little chance that

Focuses on the minimal possibility of something occurring.

i have my doubts that

Shifts to a personal expression of skepticism.

the possibility is remote that

Indicates that the likelihood of something happening is very low.

FAQs

How can I use "it is doubtful that" in a sentence?

You can use "it is doubtful that" to express skepticism about a future event or a current claim. For instance, "It is doubtful that the project will be completed on time."

What are some alternatives to "it is doubtful that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it is unlikely that", "it is improbable that", or "it is questionable whether".

Is there a difference between "it is doubtful that" and "it is unlikely that"?

While similar, "it is doubtful that" suggests a stronger sense of skepticism than "it is unlikely that". The latter simply implies a low probability, whereas the former implies some level of disbelief.

When is it better to use "it is doubtful that" over "I doubt that"?

Use "it is doubtful that" in more formal writing or when you want to maintain a neutral tone. "I doubt that" is more suitable for informal contexts where expressing a personal opinion is acceptable.