less questionable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less questionable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the degree of doubt or uncertainty regarding something, indicating that it is more certain or acceptable than another option. Example: "The new evidence presented in the case makes the defendant's alibi less questionable than it was before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Living a life of luxury looks a lot less questionable if there's some indication you made it there on merit.

The Washington Post

But even many critics of the law concede that these rules are less questionable since they affect money that is filtered through parties, not spent directly on speech.

The New York Times

According to park officials, however, the activity would need to be replaced with a less questionable alternative to avoid a drop in visitor numbers.

The Telegraph

Far less questionable is the quality of the music on Biophilia, which would underline how far apart from the rest of rock and pop Björk is, regardless of how it was delivered.

The Guardian - Music

The legal profession tends to be wary of innovation, he noted, adding that he had found the LawyerUp process to be far less questionable than many forms of legal advertising he sees on billboards and late-night television.

The New York Times

Far less questionable is the quality of the music on Biophilia, which would underline how far apart from the rest of rock and pop Björk is, regardless of how it was delivered.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

This admission turns out to be less a questionable sales pitch than a crucial signal, an indication of where the book is headed and what its principal distinction in the crowded genre of family exorcisms will be.

The New York Times - Books

The city of Rio has been almost reconstructed (in terms of sports venues) and the political moves for that to come to life were no less than questionable.

BBC

Those working at the top of state institutions are more likely to be of good establishment stock, and to receive honours – but also have less income and questionable influence.

The Guardian

The timing is curious: since the MCA is being scrapped from April 2000, there will be a year in which many parents, not just rich ones, will be less well off.Equally questionable is how CTC will operate.

The Economist

A few referred to its value as questionable, less accurate, limited, or poorly understood.

Genetics in Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using it to mean acceptable try alternatives such as "more acceptable", that is, the quality of being good enough to meet the standards.

Common error

Avoid using "less questionable" as a weak substitute for more affirmative statements. If something is clearly reliable, state it directly instead of hedging with a comparative phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less questionable" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something that is more credible or believable than something else. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase suggests a relative improvement in certainty or reliability. The phrase is very used across different sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

23%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less questionable" functions as a comparative, indicating a relative improvement in certainty or reliability. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse sources, particularly in news and media. While versatile, "less questionable" should be used judiciously, avoiding overuse in place of stronger, more direct statements. Alternatives like "more certain" or "more reliable" can provide greater clarity in certain contexts. Overall, the phrase is a useful tool for nuanced communication, but writers should strive for precision and avoid hedging when stronger assertions are warranted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less dubious

Mirrors the meaning of "less questionable" using a different synonym.

less doubtful

Directly counters the presence of doubt, suggesting increased certainty.

more certain

Indicates a higher degree of confidence or assurance compared to something being "less questionable".

more reliable

Suggests greater dependability or trustworthiness than something "less questionable".

more credible

Implies a higher level of believability or plausibility.

more trustworthy

Highlights the reliability and integrity of the subject.

more convincing

Highlights the persuasive power of evidence or arguments.

more definitive

Suggests a conclusion or statement that is clear and leaves no room for doubt.

less problematic

Indicates a reduction in difficulties or potential issues.

more acceptable

Shifts the focus to approval or permissibility rather than pure certainty.

FAQs

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

Use "less questionable" to compare two options, where one has fewer doubts or uncertainties associated with it. For example, "The defendant's alibi became "less questionable" after new evidence was presented."

What are some alternatives to saying "less questionable"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "more certain", "more reliable", or "more credible" to convey a similar meaning to "less questionable".

When is it appropriate to use "less questionable"?

It's appropriate when you want to indicate that something has become more believable or acceptable than it was before, or in comparison to something else. Avoid using it when a stronger, more direct statement is possible.

Is "less questionable" the same as "unquestionable"?

No, ""less questionable"" implies a reduction in doubt, while "unquestionable" means there is no doubt at all. "Unquestionable" suggests certainty, whereas ""less questionable"" still acknowledges some possibility of doubt, however small.