not very credible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not very credible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that lacks sufficient trustworthiness or reliability. Example: "The witness's account of the events was deemed not very credible by the jury."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Competing against the memory of Ms. Streisand's performance would have been hard, of course, but so is the job of being credibly terrified in a story that's not very credible.

The New York Times - Arts

The drafters of the report went with the lower numbers, choosing to treat the outlier science as not very credible.

The New York Times - Science

As for the grumpy green giant himself, I'm sorry to say that he is not very credible at all.

The New York Times

"The idea that you can air-drop weapons to one and not the other is not very credible".

The Guardian

Despite a charming production by an outstanding cast under Terry Kinney's insightful direction, it is transparent, predictable and not very credible.

The New York Times

Though moved by dead bunnies, Cathy displays a weird lack of empathy toward human beings that makes her not very credible, or likable.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Ms Mayer said she had been tempted to ignore and delete the "not very credible-sounding" tweet.

BBC

Ms Mayer said at the time of the threat she had been tempted to ignore and delete the "not very credible-sounding" tweet.

BBC

"AT&T's doomsday claims aren't very credible," said Jim Ellis, general counsel at SBC Communications.

The New York Times

Rather than belittling Gruber, which isn't very credible, the Obamaites should openly acknowledge this and explain what role he played.

The New Yorker

"The commitment to keep adding to the austerity to create zero deficit isn't very credible," a Bear Stearns report said today.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "not very credible" with stronger alternatives such as "dubious" or "unconvincing" for increased impact. Avoid overusing the phrase for a more compelling effect.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of qualifiers like "very", as it can weaken your statement. Instead of saying something is "not very credible", aim for a more direct assessment such as "unreliable" or "doubtful" to strengthen your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very credible" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to express a lack of believability or trustworthiness. As noted by Ludwig AI, this construction is used to cast doubt on the validity of something, whether it be a statement, source, or argument.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Arts

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not very credible" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase functioning as an adjective phrase to express doubt or skepticism. Ludwig AI validates that it's suitable for various registers but is mostly detected in News & Media, Science and Arts. When employing this phrase, consider whether you need a stronger or more precise alternative to better convey your intended meaning. Also, avoid overuse of "very", it helps to get a more direct statement. Remember to specify the aspect of credibility you're questioning for greater impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat dubious

Replaces 'not very credible' with a more concise term implying doubt or questionability.

rather implausible

Substitutes 'not very credible' with a phrase emphasizing the lack of realism or believability.

not particularly convincing

Replaces the original phrase focusing on the lack of persuasive power or impact.

hard to swallow

Uses a more idiomatic expression suggesting that something is difficult to believe or accept.

strains credulity

Emphasizes the extent to which something challenges one's willingness to believe.

raises questions

Indicates that something is not fully believable and invites further scrutiny.

open to doubt

Suggests that the credibility of something is questionable and uncertain.

lacking substance

Focuses on the absence of concrete evidence or support, making something less credible.

smacks of fabrication

Implies that something appears to be invented or deliberately misrepresented.

difficult to credit

Uses a more formal tone to express that something is hard to believe.

FAQs

How can I use "not very credible" in a sentence?

You can use "not very credible" to describe sources, claims, or arguments that lack believability. For example: "The witness's testimony was "not very credible" due to inconsistencies."

What are some alternatives to "not very credible"?

Alternatives to "not very credible" include "implausible", "unconvincing", "dubious", or "questionable", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "not credible" or "not very credible"?

"Not credible" is a stronger statement, implying a complete lack of believability. "Not very credible" suggests a lesser degree of doubt, allowing for some, albeit minimal, possibility of truth. Use the phrase that accurately reflects your assessment.

What's the difference between "not very credible" and "unreliable"?

"Not very credible" focuses on the believability of something, while "unreliable" emphasizes the inconsistency or untrustworthiness of a source or method. Something can be "not very credible" due to lack of evidence, whereas something "unreliable" produces inconsistent results.