looks dubious

USAGE SUMMARY

"looks dubious" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when something appears to be disreputable or implausible. For example, "The stranger's explanation of why he showed up late to the meeting looks dubious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

This now looks dubious.

The Economist

This also looks dubious.

The Economist

But this ruse looks dubious.

The Economist

Seven years later, that decision looks dubious.

The New York Times - Sports

Wallis looks dubious, as if it happened more often than that.

The Guardian

While the interim government strenuously denies accusations of political persecution, its handling of the case looks dubious.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Mr. Varvatos's many coats -- in double-faced wool, aged-looking New Zealand shearling -- were terrific, but his cropped trousers looked dubious.

The New York Times - Style

He looked dubious.

The New York Times

They look dubious.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Yet people look dubious.

The New York Times - Magazine

She looked dubious.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider stronger, more direct terms like "unreliable", or "questionable". In formal contexts, the use of synonyms ensures greater precision and eliminates any potential ambiguity, enhancing clarity in professional communication.

Common error

While "looks dubious" is widely understood, it may come across as too informal or subjective in professional or academic writing. Opt for more precise and authoritative language, such as "appears unreliable" or "presents concerns about its validity" to maintain a more suitable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks dubious" functions as a subjective assessment, modifying a subject by expressing that it appears questionable or unreliable. Ludwig examples showcase how it frames situations or claims with an initial sense of doubt, consistent with the Ludwig AI positive grammatical assessment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looks dubious" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something appears questionable or unreliable. As Ludwig highlights, its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media and Science, indicating its versatility. While widely accepted, it's crucial to consider the context; in formal writing, more precise alternatives like "appears unreliable" may be more suitable. Ultimately, using "looks dubious" is an effective way to convey skepticism in a clear and understandable manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems questionable

Emphasizes the uncertainty and potential unreliability of something.

appears doubtful

Focuses on the outward appearance of something being unlikely or uncertain.

sounds fishy

Indicates a suspicion of deception or dishonesty.

raises suspicions

Highlights the act of causing doubt or mistrust.

is open to doubt

Suggests that something is not definitively proven or accepted.

seems implausible

Indicates that something is unlikely or hard to believe.

gives rise to skepticism

Highlights the generation of doubt or disbelief.

is hardly convincing

Indicates a lack of persuasiveness or believability.

arouses distrust

Emphasizes the feeling of mistrust that something creates.

seems far-fetched

Suggests that something is unrealistic or unlikely to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "looks dubious" in a sentence?

You can use "looks dubious" to express that something appears questionable or unreliable. For example, "His explanation for the missing funds "looks dubious"".

What are some alternatives to "looks dubious"?

Alternatives include phrases like "seems questionable", "appears doubtful", or "sounds fishy", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "looks dubious" formal or informal?

"Looks dubious" is generally considered more informal. In formal contexts, it's better to use more precise and professional language like "appears unreliable" or "raises concerns".

What's the difference between "looks dubious" and "is dubious"?

"Looks dubious" suggests an initial impression of doubt, while "is dubious" implies a more definitive assessment of unreliability or questionability. The former is a softer, more tentative expression.