it is doubtful whether

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is doubtful whether" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express uncertainty or hesitation about something. Example: It is doubtful whether the stock market will be stable enough to invest in this year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

It is doubtful whether he will live.

The Guardian

It is doubtful whether it ever had any real existence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is doubtful whether he even considered the possible repercussions.

Independent

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

Independent

Today it is doubtful whether there is one.

The Guardian

It is doubtful whether the admiration goes two ways.

The Guardian

It is doubtful whether Cole will play again this season.

The Guardian - Sport

However, it is doubtful whether fully subsidizing bus fares is financially sustainable.

Transport Policy

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is doubtful whether" to introduce a statement where you want to express uncertainty or skepticism about a particular outcome or situation. It is suitable for formal writing and adds a nuanced level of doubt.

Common error

While "it is doubtful whether" is a valid expression, avoid overusing it in your writing. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is doubtful whether" functions as a hedge, softening a statement and expressing uncertainty or a lack of conviction. It is a declarative clause that introduces a proposition whose truth is being questioned. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

38%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is doubtful whether" is a versatile phrase used to express uncertainty or skepticism in a polite and formal way. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely employed across various domains, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific literature. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context and consider alternatives to avoid repetition and enhance clarity. While it is appropriate for formal writing, varying sentence structures can make your writing more engaging. Always ensure the phrase accurately reflects your intended level of uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is questionable whether

Changes the phrasing to emphasize the questionability of a situation.

it is uncertain whether

Replaces "doubtful" with "uncertain" to highlight a lack of certainty.

it is improbable whether

Substitutes "doubtful" with "improbable", suggesting a low likelihood.

it is unlikely whether

Emphasizes the low probability of something happening.

it is dubious whether

Uses "dubious" to express skepticism about the truth or validity of something.

it is debatable whether

Highlights that the matter is open to debate and not easily resolved.

it remains to be seen whether

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

the possibility is remote that

Phrases the doubt by highlighting a remote possibility.

there's some doubt as to whether

Emphasizes the presence of doubt using a more conversational tone.

one might wonder whether

Uses "wonder" to introduce a sense of questioning and uncertainty.

FAQs

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

Use "it is doubtful whether" to express uncertainty about a future event or the truth of a statement. For example, "It is doubtful whether the project will be completed on time."

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

You can use alternatives like "it is uncertain whether", "it is questionable whether", or "it is unlikely whether" depending on the context.

Is "it is doubtful that" grammatically correct instead of "it is doubtful whether"?

While "it is doubtful whether" is more formal, "it is doubtful that" is also acceptable in modern English. The choice depends on the desired level of formality.

What's the difference between "it is doubtful whether" and "I doubt whether"?

"It is doubtful whether" is more formal and impersonal, while "I doubt whether" is more direct and expresses a personal opinion or belief. For example: "I doubt whether he will come" is a personal statement.