questionable statement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "questionable statement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a statement that is doubtful, uncertain, or open to challenge regarding its truth or validity. Example: "The politician's claim about the economy was a questionable statement that raised many eyebrows among experts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Here's a general, therefore questionable, statement: those in power work to preserve language, prevent any change, social or linguistic.

The Guardian - Books

This is not the last time I would hear the, "I'm not a racist but... .. construction, always followed by a questionable statement on race.

The Guardian

Coming from an individual with nearly 20 years of public statements consistently citing the purported imminence of such a weapon, this is a questionable statement to say the least.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, the Republican congressman's now-infamous remarks are not the first time he's made a scientifically questionable statement on abortion.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

On Wednesday night, Barack Obama delivered a speech filled with euphemisms, questionable statements, caveats, omissions and even the occasional truth.

The Guardian

And a 2010 undercover government investigation of fifteen for-profit colleges found that all fifteen "made deceptive or otherwise questionable statements".

The New Yorker

The undercover videos showed Kaplan recruiters in Florida and California making false or questionable statements to prospective students — suggesting for example, that massage therapists earn $100 an hour, and that student loans need not be paid back.

The New York Times

Still, as was the case with the acceptance speech of his running mate, Paul D. Ryan, it contained some questionable statements, among them his oft-repeated (and oft-debunked) claim that Mr. Obama had gone on "an apology tour" for America.

The New York Times

Indeed, it had been commissioned by Mr Bush because so much intelligence had been focused wrongly on al-Qaeda's operations abroad.Even more questionable statements were made after September 11th.

The Economist

But there were also significant moments when highly questionable statements went unchecked – such as when the former One Nation party strategist refused to acknowledge that the commonwealth constitution contained any racism.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Not that Hagel hasn't, on occasion, made some questionable statements, such as when he criticized the nomination of the philanthropist James C. Hormel as ambassador to Luxembourg on the grounds Hormel was "openly, aggressively gay".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "questionable statement", ensure that you provide context or evidence to support your claim. Simply labeling a statement as "questionable" without further explanation can weaken your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "questionable statement" as a vague criticism. Instead of simply stating that something is a "questionable statement", specify why it is questionable. Provide evidence or reasoning to support your assessment and demonstrate your understanding of the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "questionable statement" functions as a noun phrase, where "questionable" modifies the noun "statement". As shown by Ludwig, it's often used to express skepticism or doubt about the validity of a claim. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "questionable statement" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating doubt or uncertainty about the validity of a claim. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. As demonstrated by examples found by Ludwig, it is commonly used in news and media contexts to critically analyze statements made by public figures or organizations. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral register suitable for professional communication. When employing this phrase, it's best practice to provide context and justification for your assessment, avoiding vague or unsubstantiated criticisms. Alternatives like "dubious assertion" or "doubtful claim" can offer similar but subtly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dubious assertion

Replaces "statement" with "assertion", implying a declaration without strong proof.

doubtful claim

Replaces "statement" with "claim", suggesting the statement is open to challenge.

uncertain remark

Replaces "statement" with "remark", making it less formal.

contentious declaration

Highlights the potential for disagreement or argument around the statement.

disputable proposition

Indicates the statement is open to debate or questioning.

tenuous argument

Suggests the statement's reasoning or evidence is weak.

unreliable account

Focuses on the statement's accuracy and trustworthiness.

shaky premise

Highlights the statement's foundation as being unstable or unconfirmed.

murky explanation

Emphasizes the statement's lack of clarity or transparency.

implausible narrative

Suggests the statement is difficult to believe or accept.

FAQs

How can I use "questionable statement" in a sentence?

You can use "questionable statement" to describe a claim or assertion that seems doubtful, uncertain, or potentially untrue. For example: "The politician's claim about job growth was a "questionable statement", as the data didn't support it."

What's a good alternative to "questionable statement"?

Alternatives include "dubious assertion", "doubtful claim", or "uncertain remark". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What makes a statement "questionable"?

A statement can be considered "questionable" if it lacks supporting evidence, contradicts known facts, relies on unreliable sources, or contains logical fallacies. It suggests that the statement should be examined with scrutiny.

Is it better to say "questionable statement" or "false statement"?

The choice depends on the certainty of the statement's truthfulness. A "false statement" is definitively untrue. A "questionable statement" is one that is doubtful or uncertain, but not necessarily proven false.