rather questionable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather questionable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express doubt or skepticism about the validity or reliability of something. Example: "The research findings are rather questionable, as they lack sufficient evidence to support the claims made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

According to Nicole Ulrich, these are still quite common: "The methods of questioning are in fact rather questionable.

Vice

Indeed, both Piar and Padilla were executed under rather questionable circumstances.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The only other candidate was a half-empty container of grated pecorino Romano of rather questionable age and origin.

The New York Times

What would be the interest in an unfinished film, other than a rather questionable curiosity in River?

The Guardian - Film

So the potential benefits of maintaining the krone is mostly symbolic - and, to my mind, rather questionable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Brown's other rather questionable character witness was Lord Sugar, the volcanic Apprentice star and government enterprise adviser.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

"Suggesting Pistorius has a mental disorder at this stage of the trial is a rather strange, questionable move, " said William Booth, a Cape Town-based criminal lawyer.

Independent

Rather, the questionable convictions that the Kings County office has sought to review can largely be traced to human error — negligence, misconduct, or errors in judgment — and not necessarily to poor technology.

The New Yorker

Judging by Wondolowski and Lenhart's relaxed demeanour at MLS media day last week, the team spirit off the field remains undiluted, but rather more questionable is whether there are enough reinforcements to support the side through an additional Champions League campaign, with the team already carrying a lot of injuries into the season.

The Guardian - Sport

Or, to put it slightly differently, how long before someone quietly whispers in the ears of the grand fromages at Stade, Brive and Toulon that they might be better off signing some mustard-keen homegrown talent rather than questionable, over-priced English beef.

The Guardian - Sport

As a result, the attainability of some solutions is rather a questionable matter.

Boundary Value Problems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather questionable" to express doubt or mild skepticism without being overly critical. It's suitable for professional and academic writing where a neutral tone is preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "rather questionable" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your tone sound repetitive or hesitant. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "somewhat dubious" or "fairly uncertain" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather questionable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a moderate degree of doubt or skepticism. Ludwig confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Unknown/unmatched sources

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather questionable" is a common adjective phrase used to express a moderate degree of doubt or skepticism. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Scientific domains. When writing, using similar expressions such as "somewhat dubious" or "fairly uncertain" will improve writing clarity. This phrase is generally appropriate for neutral registers, making it suitable for professional and academic writing where a balanced tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinctly questionable

Emphasizes a stronger degree of doubt.

somewhat dubious

Slightly less formal, implying a mild suspicion.

fairly uncertain

Focuses on the lack of certainty or definiteness.

slightly suspect

Suggests a potential for dishonesty or unreliability.

highly improbable

Emphasizes the low likelihood of something being true or accurate.

open to doubt

Highlights the vulnerability of something to skepticism.

subject to scrutiny

Indicates that something warrants close examination and potential criticism.

of dubious merit

Questions the value or worth of something.

not entirely convincing

Suggests that something lacks persuasive power.

raises concerns

Implies that something causes worry or unease.

FAQs

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

You can use "rather questionable" to express doubt about something's validity or reliability. For example, "The data presented in the report seems "rather questionable" due to the small sample size."

What are some alternatives to "rather questionable"?

Alternatives include "somewhat dubious", "fairly uncertain", or "slightly suspect". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "rather questionable" or "very questionable"?

"Rather questionable" suggests a milder level of doubt compared to "very questionable". Use "rather" when you want to express skepticism in a more understated way.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "rather questionable" in formal writing?

The phrase "rather questionable" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to express doubt or mild skepticism about something without being overly critical. It is suitable for situations where a neutral and objective tone is preferred, such as academic papers or professional reports.