it seems doubtful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems doubtful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing uncertainty or skepticism about a situation or statement. Example: "Given the evidence presented, it seems doubtful that the project will be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It seems doubtful.

The New York Times

It seems doubtful, in Lee's sombre future.

The New Yorker

It seems doubtful they will last through June.

The New York Times - Sports

Looking at today's political quagmire, it seems doubtful.

The Economist

It seems doubtful that Mr. Capra would have approved.

The New York Times

Perhaps something was lost in translation, but it seems doubtful.

The Guardian - Sport

It seems doubtful, but take a deep breath.

The New York Times

Ironically, it seems doubtful that the tactic will succeed.

The New York Times

But it seems doubtful that the central bank will back down entirely.

The New York Times

It seems doubtful Tuberville, 58, wants to end his career in Lubbock.

The New York Times

Then again, it seems doubtful that he's in a hurry to leave.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "it seems doubtful" with specific evidence or reasoning to strengthen your argument. For example, "Given the lack of funding, it seems doubtful that the project will succeed."

Common error

While "it seems doubtful" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your arguments sound less decisive. Instead, consider using stronger, more direct expressions when the evidence supports a firmer conclusion. For example, instead of saying "It seems doubtful that the policy will be effective", you might say "The policy is unlikely to be effective based on current data."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems doubtful" functions as an epistemic modal, expressing a judgment about the likelihood of a particular outcome or situation. It indicates a degree of uncertainty or disbelief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically sound way to express skepticism.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

22%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seems doubtful" is a versatile phrase used to express skepticism or uncertainty across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, it is frequently employed in news, academic writing, and general discourse. When expressing doubt, you might consider alternatives like ""it appears unlikely"" or ""it seems improbable"" to add variety to your writing. While widely accepted, overuse in formal writing can be avoided by opting for stronger, more assertive language when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears unlikely

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "doubtful" with "unlikely", offering a slight variation in wording.

it seems improbable

Substitutes "doubtful" with "improbable", emphasizing a low probability of occurrence.

it seems questionable

Replaces "doubtful" with "questionable", suggesting uncertainty about the validity or correctness of something.

it is not likely

Changes the structure to a more direct statement of unlikelihood.

it is uncertain

Focuses on the lack of certainty, presenting a less direct expression of doubt.

it is dubious

Uses the word "dubious" to convey skepticism, implying a stronger sense of disbelief.

it is far from certain

Emphasizes the lack of sureness, suggesting that the outcome is highly questionable.

one may doubt

Shifts the perspective to an individual's doubt, making it a personal assessment.

it remains to be seen

Indicates that the outcome is still unknown and uncertain, implying doubt.

the prospect is dim

Uses metaphorical language to describe the unlikelihood of a positive outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "it seems doubtful" in a sentence?

"It seems doubtful" is used to express uncertainty or skepticism. For example: "Given the circumstances, "it seems doubtful" that the negotiations will succeed."

What phrases are similar to "it seems doubtful"?

Alternatives include "it appears unlikely", "it seems improbable", or "it is uncertain". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "it seems doubtful" in writing?

Use "it seems doubtful" when you want to express a degree of skepticism without being overly assertive. It's suitable for situations where there's some evidence against a proposition, but not enough to make a definitive statement.

What's the difference between "it seems doubtful" and "it is unlikely"?

While both express a low probability, "it seems doubtful" often implies a more subjective assessment based on appearances, while "it is unlikely" can be based on more objective data or statistical probabilities.