looked questionable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looked questionable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that appears to be suspicious or not credible. Example: "The evidence presented in the report looked questionable, raising doubts about its validity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But officials conceded that certain expenses looked questionable in an economic downturn.

The New York Times

And Diaw's final foul looked questionable, certainly to the Bobcats, who howled in protest when the call was made.

The New York Times - Sports

Wenger's faith in his current squad looked questionable after some poor first-half defending allowed Lorenzo Insigne and Goran Pandev to put the Italians in command.

Independent

He looked questionable in his insistence that his former personal trainer and accuser, Brian McNamee, was wrong about seeing him speak with José Canseco at Canseco's home.

The New York Times - Sports

And a contention that Dr. Ivins tried to mislead investigators by submitting an anthrax sample free of genetic markers looked questionable after the journalists found that he had submitted other samples that contained the markers.

The New York Times

True, it has not pursued any NATO leaders for their part in the Kosovo campaign two years ago, but though the legality of NATO's action always looked questionable, few international lawyers believe that it merited war-crimes charges.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

That assumption now looks questionable.

The Guardian

The accounting treatment looks questionable.

The New York Times

Investment decisions made a year ago now look questionable.

The Economist

True, Exxon's huge outlay on XTO is starting to look questionable.

The New York Times

The Nano's prospects farther afield, in traditional car markets, look questionable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "looked questionable", consider clarifying the specific reason for your doubt. Providing context strengthens your statement and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "looked questionable" as a vague dismissal. Instead, detail the specific aspects that raised your suspicion to make your critique more constructive and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looked questionable" functions as a subjective assessment, modifying a noun by indicating that something appeared doubtful or suspicious. Ludwig examples show it used to describe expenses, decisions, and even legal actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looked questionable" is a common and grammatically correct way to express doubt or suspicion about something's validity or appropriateness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and the provided examples demonstrate its wide application in news, media and other domains. When using this phrase, ensure you provide adequate context to clarify the source of your doubt. Alternatives include "seemed dubious" or "appeared suspicious", which may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appeared dubious

Uses a more formal word to indicate doubt.

seemed suspicious

Suggests a stronger sense of distrust or potential wrongdoing.

raised doubts

Focuses on the effect of causing uncertainty.

seemed suspect

Similar to "suspicious" but slightly less intense.

appeared problematic

Highlights the potential issues or difficulties.

was open to doubt

Emphasizes the possibility of questioning or disbelief.

seemed unconvincing

Focuses on the lack of persuasive power.

appeared flimsy

Suggests a lack of solid support or evidence.

didn't quite add up

An idiomatic expression indicating something is illogical or inconsistent.

was of uncertain validity

A formal and precise way of expressing doubt about the truth or accuracy.

FAQs

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

You can use "looked questionable" to describe something that appeared doubtful or suspicious. For example, "The witness's testimony "looked questionable", leading the jury to doubt its accuracy."

What are some alternatives to "looked questionable"?

Alternatives include "seemed dubious", "appeared suspicious", or "raised doubts", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "looked questionable" or "seemed questionable"?

Both "looked questionable" and "seemed questionable" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often depends on stylistic preference. "Looked questionable" implies a visual assessment, while "seemed questionable" suggests a more general impression.

What does it mean when something "looked questionable"?

When something ""looked questionable"", it means that it gave the impression of being unreliable, untrustworthy, or potentially wrong. It suggests that there are reasons to doubt its validity or integrity.