qualified opinion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "qualified opinion" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts such as legal, financial, or professional assessments where the opinion is based on certain conditions or limitations. Example: "The auditor provided a qualified opinion on the financial statements, indicating that there were some discrepancies that needed to be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It is probably never wise to give an author a negative or "qualified" opinion of his book, but I am moved to do so because I liked your last book, all parts of it, very, very much and I guess because I assumed that if you sent me your book it was because you were interested in my opinion of it.

The New Yorker

Without such a plan, Moody's said, Conseco's accountants could issue a qualified opinion questioning the company's ability to continue operating.

The New York Times

After firing Arthur Young & Company (now Ernst & Young), which had tarnished it with a qualified opinion, Penn Square hired Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Company (now KPMG).

The New York Times

Only two players have more Premier League experience than Gareth Barry and, in his qualified opinion, there is no tougher venue to visit than a floodlit Goodison Park.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Theede also disputed market talk that PriceWaterhouseCoopers might have to issue a qualified opinion on Yukos's financial statements, based on the uncertainty on how it will pay the $3.4 billion tax claim.

The New York Times

As Carey notes, Irish Economy is "driven by the demand for qualified opinion.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Similarly, other studies have arrived at the conclusion that the presence of an independent AC does not affect the quality of accounting information (García Osma and Gill de Albornoz 2007) and that neither the existence nor the composition of the AC have an influence on the tendency to receive qualified opinions in the audit reports (Pucheta and De Fuentes 2007).

SERIEs

Its auditors at KPMG had qualified their opinion of the company's 1994 financial statements because start-up capital was eroding, profits were scarce and strict minimum capital requirements were on the horizon.

The New York Times

In the field of headache medicine in Europe, the European Headache Federation (EHF), being able to draw upon the expertise of a group headache experts covering all the European languages, is the organisation best placed to provide qualified second opinion consultation on difficult headache cases.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

The court qualified its opinion, however, by stating that ABC might still close gay bars with "proof of the commission of illegal or immoral acts on the premises".

Wikipedia

It should not be possible to ignore qualified minority opinions.

EPJ Data Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "qualified opinion" in financial or legal contexts, ensure you clearly state the qualifications or limitations that affect the opinion's scope and validity.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "qualified opinion" as an absolute truth; always acknowledge its limitations and the basis for those limitations. Don't make the mistake of implying certainty when the opinion is, by definition, conditional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "qualified opinion" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "qualified" modifies the noun "opinion". It's often used in formal contexts to describe an opinion that is based on certain conditions or limitations. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "qualified opinion" is a common and grammatically correct expression, primarily functioning as a noun phrase. It signifies an opinion or assessment that is based on specific conditions or limitations, making it prevalent in formal and professional settings such as news, science, and business as Ludwig AI confirms. While straightforward, it's crucial to use the phrase accurately, acknowledging any constraints that influence the assessment, so it’s best to avoid representing it as a definitive declaration. Alternatives such as "expert assessment" or "informed perspective" can offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas. As shown by the examples provided, "qualified opinion" appears frequently in authoritative sources, further solidifying its place in formal discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expert assessment

Focuses on the expertise behind the opinion.

informed perspective

Emphasizes the knowledge underpinning the opinion.

professional judgment

Highlights the professional capacity in which the opinion is formed.

conditional endorsement

Implies approval with specific conditions or limitations.

calibrated viewpoint

Suggests a carefully considered and adjusted perspective.

nuanced analysis

Stresses the complexity and depth of the opinion.

specialized evaluation

Indicates an evaluation carried out by someone with specific expertise.

considered assessment

Highlights the thoughtful nature of the assessment.

circumscribed view

Emphasizes the limited scope or perspective of the view.

validated stance

Implies the stance is supported by evidence or authority.

FAQs

How is a "qualified opinion" different from an unqualified one?

A "qualified opinion" indicates that while most aspects are satisfactory, there are specific limitations or exceptions. An unqualified opinion means there are no such issues.

What are some situations where a "qualified opinion" might be issued?

Auditors might issue a "qualified opinion" when there are scope limitations, uncertainties, or disagreements with management regarding accounting policies.

What does it mean when an auditor gives a "qualified opinion"?

It means the auditor believes the financial statements are fairly presented, except for a specific issue. It is not as positive as an unqualified opinion, but not as negative as an adverse opinion.

What are some alternatives to saying "qualified opinion"?

Depending on the specific context, you might use phrases like "expert assessment", "informed perspective", or "conditional endorsement".