it seemed dubious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seemed dubious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing uncertainty or skepticism about a situation, statement, or claim. Example: "The evidence presented in the report was lacking, and it seemed dubious to the committee members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It seemed dubious that any change would placate them, unless Mr Obama scrapped the rule entirely.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Whether a this-looks-like-that approach to history is valid is the question; it seems dubious here.

The New York Times - Arts

It seems dubious that the language of commerce could be a positive influence, but brisk business feels like progress beyond the language of myth.

The New Yorker

It seems dubious to say that we should transcend tribe and be utilitarian because all people are equal, when the equal status of strangers and kin is an unproven and counterintuitive assumption.

The New York Times

For instance, it seems dubious to include Apple in the EPA Green Power Partnership's 2014 Top 30 Tech and Power List of the largest green power users when labor-rights organizations have roundly criticized the company for excessive overtime and harsh labor conditions in its Foxconn Technology Group facilities.

The Guardian

Indeed, it seems dubious that others could have one's evidence, given that others cannot literally share one's headache.

SEP

It seems dubious that Flynn was concealing from the president important conversations about sanctions with the country being sanctioned — essentially, that Trump's close adviser had gone rogue.

Huffington Post

If the mechanism of hypoalbuminemia is en bloc loss of charged albumin with counterions in tow, for example in nephrotic syndrome, then it seems dubious to describe this process as compensation in the usual physiologic sense.

Critical Care

It always seemed dubious, given that the document said it might be worth "cultivating" me as a "neutral" voice.

The New York Times

The question threw me because it presumed a fact that seemed dubious at best -- and completely contrary to the reality I've experienced, both personally and through the stories I've written about women who own businesses.

The New York Times

It also seems dubious whether it will repeat the success of its predecessor.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seemed dubious" to express a tentative judgment or reservation, rather than a definitive statement of disbelief. It implies a degree of uncertainty or skepticism based on available information.

Common error

Avoid using "it seemed dubious" when you possess concrete evidence disproving a claim. Reserve it for situations where you have reasonable, but not conclusive, grounds for doubt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seemed dubious" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating a subjective assessment of something as doubtful or questionable. It serves to temper a statement, suggesting a lack of complete conviction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seemed dubious" is a versatile phrase used to express doubt or uncertainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and readily usable in written English, conveying a cautious perspective, and it appears across diverse sources. Use it when you wish to express a tentative judgment rather than a firm rejection, acknowledging the possibility of being wrong.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appeared questionable

Focuses on the outward appearance of being doubtful, rather than an internal feeling.

it looked doubtful

Emphasizes the visual aspect of something inspiring doubt.

it felt uncertain

Highlights the feeling of uncertainty associated with something.

it struck me as unlikely

Indicates a personal assessment of low probability.

it gave the impression of being unreliable

Highlights the impression of being not trustworthy.

it seemed improbable

Indicates low probability of something being true or happening.

it seemed far-fetched

Suggests the idea is too imaginative or unrealistic to be likely.

it raised concerns

Focuses on generating worry about something.

it invited skepticism

Highlights how it is inviting one to be doubtful or questioning.

it was open to doubt

Emphasizes that something is not certain and can be questioned.

FAQs

How can I use "it seemed dubious" in a sentence?

You can use "it seemed dubious" to express a feeling of doubt or uncertainty about something. For example, "The company's explanation for the sudden loss of revenue "it seemed dubious", so we decided to investigate further."

What's a more formal way to say "it seemed dubious"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "it appeared questionable" or "it struck me as unlikely" to convey a similar meaning with a slightly elevated tone.

Is "it seems dubious" the same as "it seemed dubious"?

"It seems dubious" implies doubt in the present moment, while "it seemed dubious" suggests that the doubt was felt in the past. The choice depends on whether you are describing a current or past assessment.

What can I say instead of "it seemed dubious" if I want to express stronger disbelief?

If you want to convey stronger disbelief, you might use phrases like "it was clearly false", "it was patently absurd", or "it was blatantly untrue", depending on the context and degree of incredulity.