it seems dubious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems dubious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing skepticism or uncertainty about the validity or truth of something. Example: "The evidence presented in the report is not convincing; it seems dubious at best."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

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

The Economist

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

The Guardian - Film

If you know disaster is looming for a product, and you sell it anyway, that seems dubious to most people.

The New Yorker

Under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act — whose Constitutionality, frankly, seems dubious if it means what Alito says it does — the government has to show that it has a compelling interest in the law despite the burden on the religious, and find the "least intrusive means" to accommodate believers.

The New Yorker

But given Lohan's straightforward admission that she wrote the list in rehab, the nature of the source's claim seems dubious, and it's possible the source was indeed someone from the OWN show trying to cover up that manner in which they obtained the list.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seems dubious" when you want to express a polite but firm skepticism about a claim or situation. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While useful, relying too much on "it seems dubious" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "it appears questionable" or "it seems unlikely" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems dubious" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating the speaker's or writer's skepticism or doubt about something. It frames a statement or situation as questionable or uncertain. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, reflecting its established role in conveying doubt.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seems dubious" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to express skepticism or uncertainty. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's important to use it judiciously and vary your language to avoid repetition. This phrase is most frequently found in news and media, and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. When writing, remember that alternatives like "it appears questionable" or "it seems unlikely" can add nuance to your expression of doubt. Keep in mind is useful to express a polite but firm skepticism about a claim or situation, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears questionable

Uses "appears" instead of "seems" and "questionable" instead of "dubious", slightly changing the tone.

it seems doubtful

Substitutes "dubious" with "doubtful", which has a very similar meaning.

it seems questionable

Replaces "dubious" with "questionable", conveying a similar level of uncertainty.

it seems unlikely

Focuses on the improbability of something rather than its validity.

it seems improbable

Uses "improbable" instead of "dubious" emphasizing the low probability of something.

it seems implausible

Replaces "dubious" with "implausible", suggesting a lack of believability.

it seems suspect

Uses "suspect" suggesting a reason to distrust something.

it looks suspicious

Changes the verb to "looks" and uses "suspicious" suggesting distrust.

it gives cause for doubt

Emphasizes the reason for doubt rather than just the feeling of doubt.

it raises concerns

Shifts the focus to the concerns that arise from the dubious nature of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "it seems dubious" to express skepticism or doubt about a claim or situation. For example: "The claim that the product is environmentally friendly, "it seems dubious" given the manufacturing process."

What are some alternatives to "it seems dubious"?

Some alternatives to "it seems dubious" include "it appears questionable", "it seems doubtful", or "it seems unlikely". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it seems dubious" formal or informal?

"It seems dubious" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It strikes a balance between politeness and skepticism, making it versatile for various writing styles.

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

"It seems dubious" expresses a personal assessment or impression, while "it is dubious" presents the matter as more of an objective fact. "It seems dubious" softens the statement, making it less confrontational.