make dubious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make dubious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express that something is causing doubt or uncertainty about a particular situation or claim. Example: "The new evidence presented by the defense attorney served to make dubious the prosecution's case against the defendant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

To keep the oil flowing, we make dubious foreign policy decisions.

The New York Times

Brazilian officials believe such measures encourage the United States to make dubious claims of dumping, for instance, against Brazilian steel.

The Economist

But the new regulations give supplement marketers leeway to make dubious claims and encourage consumers to treat conditions with products that may be ineffective or, worse, actually harmful.

The New York Times

Ultimately, she is a mother worrying about the care and survival of her children; and to feed her children she has to make dubious choices.

The Guardian

If corporate executives and Wall Street sharpies want investors' respect, they must prove they are doing something to make dubious practices a thing of the past.

The New York Times

But, if extreme cases make bad law, so detestable heroes make dubious drama; and the substitution of sentiment for sickliness strikes me as a Pyrrhic victory.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Still, there is wide acknowledgment that many apps violate current regulations by making dubious or untested medical claims.

The New York Times

A few hours later, the Mets were making dubious history on the field with another late-inning collapse.

The New York Times - Sports

Banks, not hedge funds, made dubious loans to people who couldn't afford the houses they were buying.

The New York Times

After making dubious comparisons of Rodriguez with other athletes, she quickly dispensed with his $4 million university gift.

The New York Times

When Interbank, a Sandinist-owned bank, collapsed in August, having made dubious loans of some $100m, the government covered all its deposits.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make dubious", ensure that the subject clearly indicates what is causing the doubt or uncertainty. Provide context to clarify the source of the dubious nature.

Common error

Avoid using "make dubious" without providing specific reasons or evidence. Claims without support can weaken your argument and undermine your credibility. Always back up your statement with verifiable information or logical reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make dubious" functions as a verb phrase used to describe an action that causes something to be questioned or doubted. As supported by Ludwig, it serves to express the act of rendering something uncertain or suspect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make dubious" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that serves to express the act of casting doubt or uncertainty on something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correctly used in English and can be effectively used to show that something is questionable. It is prevalent in news and media sources, as well as scientific and wiki articles, and is therefore suitable for use in professional and neutral registers. When using this phrase, it is crucial to provide specific reasons or evidence to substantiate the claim. Alternative phrases such as ""cast doubt on"" and ""raise suspicions about"" can be used depending on the specific nuance needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cast doubt on

This alternative uses a different verb and preposition to convey the action of creating doubt.

raise suspicions about

This phrase uses a different verb to emphasize the act of arousing suspicion.

render questionable

This alternative uses a different verb and adjective to describe the state of being doubtful.

call into question

This is a more formal way of expressing doubt or uncertainty.

undermine the credibility of

This option focuses on damaging the believability of something or someone.

challenge the validity of

This phrase is suitable when specifically referring to the accuracy or legitimacy of something.

throw suspicion on

This alternative focuses on directing suspicion towards something or someone.

arouse skepticism about

This phrase emphasizes the feeling of doubt or disbelief.

make uncertain

A simpler formulation using the adjective uncertain.

create uncertainty around

This alternative highlights the act of generating a feeling of uncertainty.

FAQs

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

You can use "make dubious" to indicate that something is causing doubt or uncertainty about a claim or situation. For example, "The new evidence presented by the defense attorney served to "make dubious" the prosecution's case against the defendant."

What are some alternatives to "make dubious"?

Alternatives include "cast doubt on", "raise suspicions about", or "render questionable", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "make dubious" or "cast doubt on"?

Both phrases are valid, but ""cast doubt on"" may be slightly more common in general usage. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "make dubious" and "raise suspicions"?

"Make dubious" generally implies a more reasoned or evidence-based doubt, while "raise suspicions" suggests a feeling or intuition that something is not right.