of dubious standing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of dubious standing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has questionable credibility, reputation, or status. Example: "The organization was criticized for partnering with a company of dubious standing in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Consider first the war hawks of previous adventures and their dubious standing today.

Huffington Post

A committee of dubious legal standing disqualified candidates for ties to the Baath Party of former President Saddam Hussein.

The New York Times

Mr. Trump originally threatened to simply impound remittances, a matter of dubious legal standing and some logistical complication.

The New York Times

Ironically, it was left to an emperor of dubious Christian standing, Frederick II, to negotiate in 1229, while under excommunication, a 10-year treaty that temporarily restored Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem to the Christians.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A clairvoyant of dubious social standing is recklessly invited for tea, because the old women are eager to contact Sainthill on the other side, but then she arrives with all her suitcases and shows no intention of leaving.

The New York Times - Books

Second, given our retrograde copyright policy, the cultural expression that happens anyway (The Legendary K.O. and the millions of other video mashups on YouTube) is at best of dubious legal standing, and at worst a crime.

Huffington Post

Some measures were of dubious staying power.

The New York Times

The Indian Premier League, in truth a motley tournament of dubious playing standard and moral standing, remains a glittering monument to bad taste and the future (and some of the more sensible England players deride it).

Independent

Right now, we're in the midst of another fast-unfolding example of surveillance apparatus and public data standing in the way of dubious state claims — in the case of the disappearance of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who went into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 for a pre-arranged appointment to collect papers for his wedding and never came out.

TechCrunch

The bible is full of dubious scientific impossibilities, from Jonah living inside a whale, to the Sun standing still in the sky for Joshua.

Huffington Post

The US-led onslaught was therefore justified as a humanitarian war - a concept that most international lawyers regarded as having no legal standing (the Commons foreign affairs select committee described it as of "dubious legality").

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. While grammatically correct, "of dubious standing" can sound formal; in less formal contexts, consider alternatives like "questionable" or "shady".

Common error

Avoid using "of dubious standing" in casual or informal contexts. It can sound stilted or overly formal. Choose simpler, more direct language if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of dubious standing" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe someone or something whose position, reputation, or credibility is questionable. Ludwig AI validates the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of dubious standing" is a grammatically sound way to express doubt or concern about someone or something's position, credibility, or reputation. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, the phrase's low frequency suggests it might not be the most common choice in everyday language. More common alternatives like "of questionable repute" or "of uncertain status" may be more appropriate depending on the context. Due to the missing frequency data, it's advisable to use this phrase judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of questionable repute

Replaces "standing" with "repute", focusing on reputation rather than position or status.

of uncertain status

Replaces "dubious" with "uncertain", softening the negative connotation, and "standing" with "status".

of suspect credibility

Focuses specifically on the credibility aspect, implying a lack of trustworthiness.

of unconfirmed validity

Emphasizes the lack of confirmation or proof regarding its validity.

of debatable merit

Shifts the focus to the quality or worth of something, suggesting it's open to debate.

with a questionable background

Highlights concerns about someone's history or past experiences.

whose position is precarious

Focuses on the instability or vulnerability of someone's position.

in a precarious situation

Focuses on the risky or dangerous nature of someone's situation.

on shaky ground

Uses a metaphor to describe a situation or position that is unstable or uncertain.

whose reputation is tarnished

Directly addresses damage or harm to someone's reputation.

FAQs

How can I use "of dubious standing" in a sentence?

You can use "of dubious standing" to describe someone or something whose reputation, credibility, or position is questionable. For example: "The organization was criticized for partnering with a company of dubious standing in the industry."

What are some alternatives to "of dubious standing"?

You can use alternatives like "of questionable repute", "of uncertain status", or "of suspect credibility" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "of dubious standing" or "with dubious standing"?

"Of dubious standing" is the more common and grammatically correct phrasing. "With dubious standing" is less frequently used and may sound awkward.

What's the difference between "of dubious standing" and "of questionable standing"?

While similar, "dubious" implies a stronger sense of doubt or suspicion than "questionable". "Of dubious standing" suggests a more serious concern about the person or entity's legitimacy or reputation.