less doubtful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less doubtful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express a reduced level of uncertainty or skepticism about something. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, I feel less doubtful about the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The constructed function we substitute for the supposed inferred entities, and thereby obtain a new and less doubtful interpretation of the body of propositions in question.

SEP

What is less doubtful is that value-added models occasionally misidentify high- and low-performing teachers, as those both in favor of and opposed to using student test scores in teacher evaluations agree.

Huffington Post

When comparing the two blocking ELISA kits little differences can be found, though Kit C gave less doubtful results and a slightly better repeatability.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Isolates were considered significant if there were ≥ 105 colony forming unit/mL (CFU/mL) with 2 or less isolates, doubtful significance if 104 – 105 CFU/mL, insignificant if < 104 CFU/mL.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Fiordland, a large national park in New Zealand's south-west, offers stunning trekking opportunities and is also home to the less-accessible Doubtful Sound, far larger than its more-famous relative, Milford.

The Guardian - Travel

It does seem to have ended up as a success story, though victory looked doubtful less than a week ago.

The New York Times

The German bank, the HVB Group, reported a second consecutive quarterly profit as it sold assets and set aside less money for doubtful loans.

The New York Times

He was already seeking a way of overcoming nihilism, and his second novel, La Peste (1947; The Plague), is a symbolical account of the fight against an epidemic in Oran by characters whose importance lies less in the (doubtful) success with which they oppose the epidemic than in their determined assertion of human dignity and fraternity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The regulation of 17 MHC genes appeared to be more doubtful because less than 50% of the probes for that gene indicated a significant regulation.

Plosone

She had been vague when suddenly she was doubtful, and was less truthful than she might have been.

The New Yorker

Ten years on, we are less shockable, so it's doubtful his latest show will attract the same outrage, but just as visitors to Body Worlds vowed to quit smoking, so von Hagens's latest show may inspire a new generation of vegetarians.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less doubtful" to express a subtle shift in opinion or assessment when evidence or circumstances have reduced but not eliminated uncertainty. It conveys a nuanced perspective, more than simply saying 'certain'.

Common error

Avoid using "less doubtful" when the situation warrants a stronger declaration of certainty. If evidence overwhelmingly supports a conclusion, opt for phrases like "certain" or "without a doubt" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less doubtful" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a diminished state of uncertainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and conveys a reduction in skepticism.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less doubtful" is a grammatically sound adjective phrase used to express a reduced level of uncertainty or skepticism. While relatively rare in overall usage, as Ludwig AI confirms, it appears in formal contexts such as scientific articles, news reports, and encyclopedic entries. It's important to use "less doubtful" when some degree of doubt still exists, rather than opting for stronger declarations of certainty when the situation warrants it. Alternative phrases like "more certain" or "less uncertain" can provide similar meaning, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less dubious

Synonymous with "less doubtful", directly indicating reduced dubiousness.

less uncertain

States a decrease in uncertainty, directly mirroring the meaning of the query.

less skeptical

Indicates a reduction in skepticism, a close synonym for doubt.

more certain

Indicates a shift from doubt to a degree of certainty, the opposite of being doubtful.

more convinced

Expresses a higher degree of belief, reducing doubt.

more confident

Suggests increased assurance, contrasting with doubt.

more assured

Implies greater certainty, shifting away from doubt.

more accepting

Suggests a greater willingness to believe, decreasing doubt.

more inclined to believe

Expresses an increased tendency to believe, lessening doubt.

leaning towards believing

Indicates a movement away from doubt and towards belief.

FAQs

What does "less doubtful" mean?

The phrase "less doubtful" indicates a reduction in uncertainty or skepticism about something. It suggests that while some doubt may still exist, it is diminished compared to a previous state.

How can I use "less doubtful" in a sentence?

You can use "less doubtful" to express a nuanced shift in opinion. For example, "After reviewing the new evidence, I am "less doubtful" about the project's success."

What are some alternatives to "less doubtful"?

Alternatives include "more certain", "less uncertain", or "more confident", depending on the specific context.

Is "less doubtful" the same as "not doubtful"?

No, "less doubtful" implies that some doubt remains, whereas "not doubtful" suggests complete certainty or lack of doubt. They are not interchangeable.