of doubtful quality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of doubtful quality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is uncertain or questionable in terms of its quality or standard. Example: "The product was advertised as premium, but upon inspection, it was found to be of doubtful quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The Internet contains a large amount of useful information on many subjects, but also information of doubtful quality.

Vaccine

They point to the many hedge funds of doubtful quality, with inexperienced managers or even charlatans at the helm.

The Economist

The authors simply dismiss the analysis as being "of doubtful quality" and repeat a characterization of Mr. Tuerck as "a right-wing economist for hire".

The New York Times - Books

"But what's strange is that many people look for Italian instruments of doubtful quality in the range of one or two hundred thousand dollars, which is a lot of money and very little value".

The New York Times

In 1929, the Los Angeles Times explained honky tonks thusly:  "In these establishments, which were often of enormous size, much liquor was dispensed at the tables which crowded the floor, and entertainment of doubtful quality was given on a stage at one end of the room".

The Guardian - Travel

Indeed, arguably the opposite is happening as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two nationalised mortgage agencies, seek to compel banks to buy back loans of doubtful quality they had sold to the agencies.There are, in theory, many ways to hasten recovery after a crisis.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Regulatory agencies' websites in the UK and US warn consumers of the problems of purchasing treatments through the internet and of the doubtful quality of some of the products [ 20, 21].

BMC Public Health

Ratings of the measurement properties are presented in table 2. Each measurement property is qualified as adequate with good methodological quality, indeterminate because of doubtful methodological quality (0), or inadequate with good methodological quality, Question marks indicate insufficient information about an aspect.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Thus, at the same time that the medical establishment warns against overweight as a threat to health, the consumer and medical economy is inundated with food products of doubtful nutritional quality, diet plans, weight loss drugs and weight loss surgery.

Globalization and Health

The rating of the clinimetric properties of the instruments included is presented in Table 2, summarising each aspect as positive, inadequate, doubtful quality or insufficient information.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The strip can be considered as suitable for on-the-spot analysis of test sample formulations either by farmers, extension workers, quality control officials etc., to generate preliminary prima facie evidence in case of doubtful samples of substandard insecticide formulation.

Crop Protection

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "of doubtful quality", ensure the context clearly indicates what aspect of the subject is questionable. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "of doubtful quality" as a blanket statement without specifying the criteria for your assessment. Provide context for why you believe the quality is questionable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of doubtful quality" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate uncertainty or skepticism about its quality. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where it qualifies various nouns, such as "information", "funds", and "instruments".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

29%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "of doubtful quality" serves as a cautionary flag, highlighting uncertainty about the merits or standards of something. According to Ludwig AI, this adjectival phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts including Science and News & Media. While primarily neutral in register, it subtly conveys skepticism, urging careful consideration. When employing this phrase, it's vital to provide specific context to avoid vagueness, as being specific will add more precision. Alternatives such as "of questionable merit" or "of dubious value" offer similar nuances, ensuring clarity in your assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of questionable merit

Emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding the worth or value of something.

of dubious value

Highlights the uncertainty about the value or usefulness of something.

of suspect validity

Focuses on the uncertainty regarding the truth or accuracy of something.

of uncertain reliability

Emphasizes doubts about the dependability or trustworthiness of something.

of unconfirmed authenticity

Highlights the lack of verification regarding the genuineness of something.

of unreliable character

Shifts the focus to the untrustworthiness of a person's nature or behavior.

of limited usefulness

Suggests that something has a restricted range of applications or effectiveness.

of imperfect condition

Focuses on flaws or defects in the physical state of something.

of lesser grade

Indicates that something is of a lower standard or rank compared to others.

of imperfect nature

Highlights the flawed or incomplete character of something.

FAQs

How can I use "of doubtful quality" in a sentence?

You can use "of doubtful quality" to describe something whose quality is uncertain or questionable. For example, "The evidence presented was "of doubtful quality", so the jury dismissed it."

What are some alternatives to "of doubtful quality"?

Alternatives include "of questionable quality", "of dubious quality", or "of uncertain quality". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "of doubtful quality" or "of questionable quality"?

Both "of doubtful quality" and "of questionable quality" are acceptable. They are largely interchangeable, but "of questionable quality" might sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "of doubtful quality" and "of poor quality"?

"Of poor quality" indicates that something is definitively substandard. "Of doubtful quality" suggests uncertainty about whether something meets an acceptable standard. "Of poor quality" asserts a known deficiency, while ""of doubtful quality"" expresses skepticism.