looking questionable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking questionable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that appears to be suspicious, unreliable, or not credible. Example: "The evidence presented in the report is looking questionable, and we need to verify its authenticity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Now, it is looking questionable whether it will be able to successfully apply that strategy to YouTube, its biggest acquisition.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 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

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

The New York Times

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

The Economist

But by the end of the year that judgment was beginning to look questionable.

The Economist

But every decision that led to the crash now looks questionable.

The Economist

Yet in both movies and software, and in some other industries, the timing of the new idea looks questionable.

The Economist

It also allowed him to pursue aggressively some accounting practices that now look questionable and that prosecutors have called illegal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking questionable" to express a tentative assessment of something's reliability or validity, rather than a definitive judgment. This softens the criticism and invites further investigation.

Common error

Avoid using "looking questionable" when you have concrete evidence of wrongdoing or failure. Opt for stronger language that reflects the level of certainty your evidence supports.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking questionable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its apparent state. It suggests that something appears to be doubtful, unreliable, or suspicious. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sports

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looking questionable" serves as a useful tool for expressing doubt or uncertainty about something's appearance or reliability. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in English. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts but can also appear in Sports and Wiki content. While grammatically sound and generally acceptable, it's important to consider the specific context and audience when choosing whether to use it. Alternatives such as "appearing doubtful" or "seeming suspicious" may be more appropriate depending on the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appearing doubtful

Focuses on the appearance of doubt rather than a direct assessment.

seeming unreliable

Directly addresses the reliability of the subject.

seeming suspicious

Emphasizes the element of suspicion or mistrust.

appearing untrustworthy

Highlights a lack of trustworthiness.

raising doubts

Highlights the action of causing doubt.

becoming suspect

Suggests a shift towards being viewed with suspicion.

inspiring skepticism

Focuses on the feeling of skepticism that the subject evokes.

under scrutiny

Highlights that the subject is being closely and critically examined.

giving cause for concern

Focuses on the potential negative implications.

of dubious merit

Emphasizes the questionable value or quality of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "looking questionable" to describe something that appears doubtful or suspicious. For example, "The company's accounting practices are "looking questionable" after the audit."

What's a more formal way to say "looking questionable"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "appearing dubious" or "seeming suspect". These alternatives offer a similar meaning but are suitable for professional contexts.

Is it always appropriate to use "looking questionable"?

While generally acceptable, consider your audience and the context. In situations requiring directness, stronger language might be more suitable. Use phrases like "appears unreliable" or "raises concerns" instead.

What's the difference between ""looking questionable"" and "looking suspicious"?

"Looking questionable" suggests something might not be right or reliable, while "looking suspicious" implies a stronger sense of potential wrongdoing or illegal activity. The choice depends on the degree of doubt you want to convey.