of questionable quality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of questionable quality" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a product, idea, or action that is of uncertain or dubious quality. For example: "This new laptop model is of questionable quality, as it has already had several reports of malfunctions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Army interrogation experts view the use of force as an inferior technique that yields information of questionable quality," and distorts the behavior of those being questioned, the group report noted.

The Washington Post

Good news – there are several chains, but of questionable quality.

The Guardian - Travel

Medicines are of questionable quality and often outdated.

The New York Times

However, tide gauges are sparse, of questionable quality, and occasionally contradictory in their sea-level estimates.

Advances in Space Research

A lot of state data is of questionable quality, with different databases failing to match.

The Guardian

Many others in storage are of questionable quality because there are no federal standards for collecting and storing the blood.

The New York Times

Fresh tomatoes are often of questionable quality in the UK, yet tinned tomatoes are reliable – a pantry staple.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr. Adcock said that students were exposed to lots of media, although much of it was of questionable quality.

The New York Times

And there are still some private companies like Revenue Science, a behavioral targeting firm, and a bunch of mid-sized advertising networks of questionable quality.

The New York Times

The doner is cheaper than currywurst but it ran into some public relations problems, Mr. Seidel said, amid cases of questionable quality meat.

The New York Times

Manual scheduling methods require enormous amounts of time and resources to deliver results of questionable quality, and multiple course and classroom conflicts usually occur.

Decision Support Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To be more specific, replace questionable with alternatives like “dubious”, “inferior”, or “suspect” to convey the extent of the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "of questionable quality" as a blanket statement without providing concrete examples or reasons. This can weaken your argument and make your assessment seem unfounded.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of questionable quality" functions as an adjectival phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it describes a noun, indicating that its quality is uncertain or doubtful. It modifies the noun by expressing a reservation about its standard or worth.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "of questionable quality" is a common way to express doubt or uncertainty about the standard or merit of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an adjectival phrase. It is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While grammatically correct, it is important to provide specific reasons or evidence to support the assessment. Alternatives include "substandard" or "of doubtful merit". Being mindful of providing substantiation strengthens the credibility and validity of the sentiment conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substandard

A single-word adjective meaning below the expected or required standard.

deficient in quality

Directly states that the subject is lacking in the characteristics that define quality.

of doubtful merit

Replaces "quality" with "merit", emphasizing the value or worthiness rather than the specific characteristics.

of inferior grade

Indicates a lower ranking in terms of quality or condition.

of dubious standing

Focuses on the reliability or reputation instead of the tangible aspects of quality.

of uncertain value

Shifts from quality to the perceived worth or benefit, implying the usefulness is in doubt.

somewhat unreliable

Uses a more direct adjective to describe the lack of dependability.

not entirely trustworthy

Emphasizes the potential for deception or failure related to the subject's quality.

less than satisfactory

Indicates a failure to meet expectations, without necessarily implying a severe defect.

not up to par

An idiomatic expression indicating that something does not meet the required standard.

FAQs

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

You can use "of questionable quality" to describe something whose merit or standard is uncertain. For instance: "The data collected was "of questionable quality", making it difficult to draw reliable conclusions."

What phrases are similar to "of questionable quality"?

Similar phrases include "of doubtful merit", "substandard", or "of inferior grade", all suggesting uncertainty or deficiency in standards.

What is the difference between "of questionable quality" and "substandard"?

"Of questionable quality" implies uncertainty about the quality, whereas "substandard" suggests that the quality is known to be below an acceptable level.

Is it better to use "of questionable quality" or a more direct criticism?

The choice depends on the context. "Of questionable quality" is suitable when you're unsure or lack concrete evidence. If you have clear evidence, a more direct criticism might be more appropriate.