it is highly questionable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is highly questionable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express doubt or uncertainty about something. For example: "The government's decision to increase taxes is highly questionable given the current economic situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

With Kidd gone, it is highly questionable whether Carter and Jefferson can carry the team any further.

The New York Times - Sports

As it often is in the Balkans, it is highly questionable whether we will ever find out the truth.

The Guardian - Sport

But it is highly questionable whether a Labour government would deliver any more than a bit of tinkering.

The Guardian

"It is highly questionable whether plaintiff even has, or ever had, standing to pursue this action," wrote Judge McMahon.

The New York Times

There may be a good reason why it would be a world first; it is highly questionable whether such a figure can be calculated reliably.

The Guardian

But it is highly questionable whether they will succeed in transferring their amours to the Democrats, even for a temporary marriage of convenience.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

"It's highly questionable as a constitutional matter".

The New York Times

— it's highly questionable whether it would reduce the deficit at all.

The New York Times

And even where information is accurate, it's highly questionable how helpful it is to have the information out there, both for the ex-con trying to rehabilitate and for neighbourhoods marked as criminal-heavy.

The Economist

Responding to the Congressional research report, Frederick D. Barton, a senior adviser to the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said it was highly questionable whether contractors brought the same commitment and willingness to take risks as the men and women of the military or the diplomatic services.

The New York Times

Since it's highly questionable that inflexible roommate assignments confer any educational or character-building benefit beyond having a tale to tell later, let's refrain from condemning college students to a year of misery even if it's "for their own good".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is highly questionable" to express a strong doubt or skepticism, especially when you have specific reasons for your doubts and want to invite further scrutiny.

Common error

While effective, relying too much on "it is highly questionable" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing by using synonyms like "it is highly dubious" or "it is very doubtful" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is highly questionable" functions as an evaluative expression, used to cast doubt or express skepticism about a particular statement, claim, or situation. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase often precedes an explanation or counter-argument.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is highly questionable" is a versatile expression used to convey strong doubt or skepticism. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and wide range of real-world examples across reputable sources underscore its reliability and effective communication of uncertainty. While predominantly used in news, scientific, and encyclopedia contexts, it is essential to vary sentence structure and word choice, by using alternatives such as "it is very doubtful" or "it is highly dubious". By following the best practices and avoiding overuse, writers can leverage this phrase to enhance the persuasiveness and impact of their arguments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is highly dubious

Replaces "questionable" with a stronger synonym, "dubious", implying a greater degree of doubt.

it is very doubtful

Substitutes "highly" with "very", softening the tone slightly while maintaining the core meaning.

it is extremely doubtful

Replaces "highly" with "extremely", intensifying the degree of doubt.

it is quite uncertain

Replaces "highly questionable" with "quite uncertain", focusing on the lack of certainty.

it is open to doubt

Uses a different phrasing to express the same sentiment of uncertainty or skepticism.

it is a matter of some doubt

Emphasizes the presence of doubt as a significant factor.

there are serious doubts about it

Shifts the focus to the existence of serious doubts.

the matter is far from certain

Indicates a lack of certainty regarding the topic.

the validity is questionable

Focuses on the validity of something being uncertain.

there is reason to doubt

Highlights the existence of a valid reason for skepticism.

FAQs

How can I use "it is highly questionable" in a sentence?

Use "it is highly questionable" to express doubt or uncertainty about a claim, action, or decision. For example: "It is highly questionable whether the new policy will achieve its stated goals."

What are some alternatives to "it is highly questionable"?

You can use alternatives such as "it is highly dubious", "it is very doubtful", or "it is quite uncertain" to express a similar meaning.

Is "it is highly questionable" formal or informal?

"It is highly questionable" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. However, consider your audience and choose a more informal alternative if writing for a casual setting.

What does "it is highly questionable" imply?

It implies a significant degree of doubt or skepticism, suggesting that something may not be true, accurate, or reliable.