seems doubtful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems doubtful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty or skepticism about a situation or statement. Example: "The information provided by the source seems doubtful, and further verification is needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That conclusion seems doubtful.

Independent

That seems doubtful.

Forbes

It seems doubtful.

The New York Times

This increasingly seems doubtful.

The New York Times - Arts

Even Mr Plenel seems doubtful.

The Economist

But that seems doubtful somehow.

The New York Times - Arts

It seems doubtful, in Lee's sombre future.

The New Yorker

The amendment's ultimate passage seems doubtful now.

The New York Times

It seems doubtful they will last through June.

The New York Times - Sports

Looking at today's political quagmire, it seems doubtful.

The Economist

Whether that will yield different results, though, seems doubtful.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seems doubtful", follow it with a reason or explanation to provide context for your skepticism.

Common error

Avoid using "seems doubtful" as a standalone statement. Always provide context or reasoning to support your skepticism. Otherwise, you risk sounding dismissive or uninformed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems doubtful" functions as an evaluative expression, used to convey a speaker's uncertainty or skepticism about a statement, situation, or possibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common and correct way to express doubt.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seems doubtful" is a versatile phrase used to express uncertainty or skepticism. It is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While appropriate for a range of registers, from neutral to somewhat formal, it's essential to provide context or reasoning when using the phrase to avoid sounding dismissive. Consider alternatives like "appears unlikely" or "is dubious" for stylistic variation. Remember, providing justification for your doubt ensures clarity and strengthens your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems improbable

Replaces "doubtful" with "improbable", emphasizing a low probability of occurring.

is dubious

Replaces "seems doubtful" with a more concise adjective, 'dubious,' which indicates doubt or skepticism.

seems questionable

Replaces "doubtful" with "questionable", highlighting uncertainty about the validity or correctness.

appears improbable

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "doubtful" with "improbable", indicating a low likelihood.

appears unlikely

Substitutes "seems" with "appears" and "doubtful" with "unlikely", suggesting a low probability.

appears questionable

Combines "appears" and "questionable" to express uncertainty about the truth or reliability.

is unconvincing

Focuses on the lack of persuasiveness, implying doubt about the presented information.

is open to doubt

Uses a more formal structure to express that something is not certain.

is subject to doubt

Similar to 'is open to doubt', but may suggest a more systemic or inherent uncertainty.

remains uncertain

Shifts focus to the continuing lack of certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "seems doubtful" in a sentence?

You can use "seems doubtful" to express uncertainty or skepticism about a statement or situation. For example, "The claim that the company will double its profits this year "seems doubtful", given the current economic climate."

What are some alternatives to "seems doubtful"?

You can use alternatives like "appears unlikely", "seems improbable", or "is dubious" to express a similar sentiment of uncertainty.

Is it better to say "seems doubtful" or "is doubtful"?

"Seems doubtful" introduces a degree of subjectivity or personal assessment, while "is doubtful" presents the uncertainty as a more objective fact. The choice depends on the context and the level of certainty you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "seems doubtful" and "appears doubtful"?

The difference between ""seems doubtful"" and "appears doubtful" is subtle. Both express uncertainty, but "appears" may suggest a conclusion based on outward observation, whereas "seems" can be based on a more general impression or feeling.