it was questionable that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was questionable that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or uncertainty about a particular statement or situation. Example: "It was questionable that the results of the study were entirely accurate given the small sample size."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Children's Services, in its own investigation, said it was "questionable" that Mr. Adams had ever seen the family.

The New York Times

There hadn't been a sex-driven commercial hit in a long time, and it was questionable that audiences wanted to see raunch on the big screen in the days of easily accessible online porn.

The Guardian - Film

I went with my husband and two daughters, and my neighbour, Sadie, who's 12. It's an R-rated movie so it was questionable that she should have seen it.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It is questionable that he was acting to improve his political status.

The New Yorker

It's questionable that the festive release date was perfectly attuned to a film featuring grisly images of sexual violence.

The Guardian - Film

For one thing, Dr. Dalley said, it is questionable that a folk memory would have persisted over more than 4,000 years.

The New York Times - Science

No immigration statute gives the federal courts jurisdiction to issue such orders, and it is questionable that a judge would have entertained a request for one.

The New York Times

Even if we could, it is questionable that we should attempt to prevent writers and readers from indulging their sexual fantasies through state interference.

The Guardian - Opinion

Here, the aims of the different factions are by no means clear-cut; the Templars are no longer carnival villains and it's questionable that the Assassins are entirely on the side of the angels.

The Guardian - Tech

There are flaws in The Blair Witch Project, certainly: it is questionable that the three do not have the relatively commonplace satellite tracking technology, or even cellphones, though it is not impossible neither would work in such an environment.

The Guardian - Film

But it is questionable that Mr. Harding or the Working Families Party would want to risk their survival on the ability of Mr. Cuomo to win 50,000 votes twice, on two separate lines.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was questionable that" to introduce a statement or idea where there is uncertainty or a lack of supporting evidence. Be sure to provide context or reasons for your doubt to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "it was questionable that" without explaining why you are doubtful. Always provide a rationale or evidence to support your uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was questionable that" functions as an introductory clause expressing doubt or uncertainty about the subsequent statement. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is deemed grammatically correct and usable. It serves to soften a claim or indicate that the validity of the statement is not fully supported.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was questionable that" serves as a tool for expressing uncertainty or doubt about a particular statement. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts, notably news, science, and encyclopedic writing. The phrase encourages critical evaluation of the information presented. When using this phrase, it is vital to provide context and support for your skepticism to strengthen your argument. Consider alternatives like "it was doubtful that" or "it was uncertain whether" for similar expressions of doubt. While common, overuse without rationale weakens the impact. Balancing expression and evidence ensures clarity and enhances the effectiveness of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was debatable that

Replaces "questionable" with "debatable", suggesting the issue is open to discussion.

it was doubtful that

Substitutes "questionable" with "doubtful", indicating a stronger sense of uncertainty.

it was uncertain whether

Changes the structure to focus on uncertainty about a condition rather than a statement.

there were doubts about whether

Shifts the focus to the existence of doubts surrounding the issue.

it seemed unlikely that

Expresses a lower probability of something happening or being true.

it was not clear whether

Highlights the lack of clarity surrounding the situation.

the validity of that is questionable

Emphasizes the validity of something is open to doubt.

it was suspect that

Replaces "questionable" with "suspect", implying something seems wrong or untrustworthy.

it was arguable that

Indicates that the point is disputable and can be viewed from different perspectives.

it was dubious that

Similar to doubtful, but often suggests skepticism or disbelief.

FAQs

How can I use "it was questionable that" in a sentence?

Use "it was questionable that" to express doubt or uncertainty about a statement or situation. For example: "It was questionable that the evidence was sufficient to prove his guilt."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "it was questionable that"?

Alternatives include "it was doubtful that", "it was uncertain whether", or "there were doubts about whether", each conveying a similar sense of uncertainty.

Is it better to say "it was questionable whether" or "it was questionable that"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "it was questionable whether" is often used when referring to a specific condition or possibility, while "it was questionable that" refers to a statement or fact. The choice depends on the context.

What is the difference between "it was questionable that" and "it was unlikely that"?

"It was questionable that" implies doubt about the truth or validity of something. "It was unlikely that", by contrast, suggests a low probability of something happening. The first focuses on uncertainty, while the second focuses on probability. They are often interchangeable but not always.