rather dubious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather dubious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express skepticism or uncertainty about something, often implying that it is questionable or not entirely trustworthy. Example: "The evidence presented in the report was rather dubious, leading us to question its validity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But their scientific credentials are rather dubious.

The New York Times - Books

His words may have been in rather dubious taste.

The Economist

The "109" number is old, and rather dubious.

The Washington Post

A rather dubious portrait of Jane turned up a few months ago.

The Guardian

"It was a rather dubious ending," Power Coach Tom Sermanni said.

The New York Times - Sports

Given the determination with which Christians combated all forms of paganism, this appears a rather dubious presumption.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Figure drawings is an approach in which the respondent draws pictures of various objects; the evidence for validity is rather dubious.

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences

He says "In Britain I'm sometimes regarded as a suspiciously Europeanised writer, who has this rather dubious French influence.

The Guardian - Books

One of the other performers was a puppeteer whose act included a rather dubious life-size female mannequin.

The Guardian

The city of Algiers has just turned 1,000 years old, or so the government decided on rather dubious historical grounds.

The Economist

You have to understand why she worked there and why she chose to marry a client - surely an action of rather dubious judgment?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather dubious" to express a moderate level of skepticism without being overly critical. It's suitable for situations where you want to express doubt politely.

Common error

While acceptable, overuse of "rather dubious" can sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "somewhat questionable" or "fairly suspect", especially in formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

Rather dubious functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to express a degree of doubt or uncertainty about its validity, reliability, or quality. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather dubious" is a commonly used adjective phrase to express moderate doubt or uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and frequently employed in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to consider the specific nuance you wish to convey and, where appropriate, substitute it with synonyms like "somewhat questionable" or "fairly suspect" to avoid overuse. When you need a polite way to express doubt without expressing complete disbelief, is the perfect choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat questionable

Replaces "dubious" with "questionable", softening the tone slightly.

fairly suspect

Uses "suspect" instead of "dubious", implying a stronger sense of distrust.

slightly doubtful

Substitutes "dubious" with "doubtful", making the uncertainty more explicit.

open to question

Emphasizes that the matter is not settled and requires further examination.

of uncertain validity

Focuses on the lack of reliable evidence or justification.

not entirely convincing

Highlights the inability to persuade or inspire confidence.

rather unconvincing

Emphasizes the weakness of an argument or explanation.

subject to skepticism

Indicates that the matter is likely to be met with disbelief or doubt.

of dubious merit

Questions the value or worth of something.

its reliability is questionable

Directly addresses the trustworthiness of something, shifting the sentence structure.

FAQs

How can I use "rather dubious" in a sentence?

"Rather dubious" is used to express a moderate level of doubt or uncertainty. For example, "His explanation for the missing money seemed rather dubious".

What are some alternatives to "rather dubious"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat questionable", "fairly suspect", or "slightly doubtful" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "rather dubious" in formal writing?

Yes, "rather dubious" is generally acceptable in formal writing, but be mindful of overuse. Consider using more precise synonyms if necessary.

What is the difference between "rather dubious" and "very dubious"?

"Rather dubious" expresses a moderate level of doubt, while "very dubious" implies a stronger, more pronounced skepticism.