questionable in terms of

USAGE SUMMARY

"questionable in terms of" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
For example, you could say, "His decision to move across the country was questionable in terms of the cost of living."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Standardized test scores are questionable in terms of growth and progress.

The New York Times

Others were more questionable in terms of Newmont's return on investment.

Harvard Business Review

"Right now it's probably questionable in terms of playing in the game, but he's got a chance," Turner said Monday.

The New York Times

So this article is not just questionable in terms of his responsibilities as a civil servant, it's also thoroughly unhelpful".

The Guardian

"The build-out of the site, based on the current plan, is extremely questionable in terms of Silverstein's ability to go beyond the Freedom Tower," said Mr. Coscia, chairman of the authority.

The New York Times

Ellison concluded: "The mere presence of an undercover MPS officer in the wider Lawrence family camp in such circumstances is highly questionable in terms of the appearance it creates of the MPS having a spy in the family's camp".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

We've got entire parts of the city that have very few services, that have questionable ability in terms of infrastructure.

The New York Times

Unfortunately both strategies have high price tags and questionable outcomes in terms of actually protecting the coast.

Los Angeles Times

Start with homosexuality, which was in there and then voted out, and you see that the DSM has become the poster child for questionable science in terms of nomenclature issues," she said.

Vice

Question: In terms of long-term ….

Forbes

That switch "is questionable and unsettling in terms of his ability or desire to be fair and impartial".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "questionable in terms of", ensure you clearly specify what aspect is being questioned to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The project's feasibility is questionable in terms of its budget."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "questionable in terms of" can sound repetitive in formal writing. Vary your phrasing by using alternatives like "dubious regarding" or "uncertain concerning" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "questionable in terms of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause, indicating doubt or uncertainty about a specific attribute or aspect. Ludwig shows its use in various contexts to express reservations about something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "questionable in terms of" is a prepositional phrase used to express doubt or uncertainty about a specific aspect. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for neutral to formal contexts, including news, science, and business. While alternatives like "dubious with respect to" or "uncertain regarding" exist, the key is to clearly specify the area of concern to avoid ambiguity. Overusing this phrase in formal writing should be avoided for stylistic reasons. Therefore, it is considered a versatile and valuable element to express reservations with appropriate precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dubious with respect to

Changes the adjective to 'dubious' and uses 'with respect to' instead of 'in terms of', altering the formality slightly.

uncertain regarding

Replaces "questionable" with "uncertain" and "in terms of" with "regarding", shifting the focus to a lack of certainty.

debatable concerning

Uses "debatable" to indicate that something is open to argument, and "concerning" to specify the subject of debate.

doubtful with regard to

Similar to 'dubious with respect to', this uses 'doubtful' and 'with regard to' for a slightly more formal tone.

problematic when it comes to

Employs "problematic" to highlight issues and uses "when it comes to" for a less formal approach.

open to question in relation to

Uses a longer, more explicit phrase to express doubt, adding 'in relation to' to specify the area of concern.

subject to scrutiny regarding

Shifts the focus to examination and potential criticism using "subject to scrutiny" and "regarding".

of uncertain merit in respect to

Highlights the lack of clear value or worth, using a more formal and evaluative tone.

unreliable in the context of

Focuses on the lack of dependability, using "in the context of" to provide a specific frame of reference.

of dubious value concerning

Similar to 'of uncertain merit', this emphasizes the questionable worth of something.

FAQs

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

Use "questionable in terms of" to express doubt or uncertainty about a specific aspect. For example, "The data's reliability is questionable in terms of its collection methods."

What are some alternatives to "questionable in terms of"?

You can use alternatives like "dubious with respect to", "uncertain regarding", or "debatable concerning" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "questionable in terms of" or "doubtful regarding"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "questionable in terms of" is slightly more common. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Doubtful regarding" might emphasize a stronger sense of disbelief.

What does "questionable in terms of veracity" mean?

It means that something's truthfulness or accuracy is doubtful. For instance, "The witness's statement was questionable in terms of veracity."