slightly doubtful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly doubtful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a mild uncertainty or hesitation about something. Example: "I am slightly doubtful about the accuracy of the information provided in the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

On Thursday, the Nuevo Ballet Español shows flamenco in a more contemporary guise -- a slightly doubtful enterprise -- featuring the wonderful Lola Greco.

The New York Times

That £130,000 figure also assumes that your CGT calculation is correct, which I'm slightly doubtful about, not least because you mention including the mortgage in the CGT sums – you don't need to do this.

The Guardian - Money

There is none of the slightly doubtful utilisation of the Holocaust that I found in The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, as if it existed solely to make the reader upset and disgusted by any means necessary.

The Guardian

Eva Herzigova Now, we know French women take the lead when it comes to appearing au naturel – unkempt body hair and nouvelle vague nudity being topics on which the Fashion Statement jury remains slightly doubtful.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I am slightly doubtful as to where Cooper's anonymous police officer got his "exponential" increase from.

BBC

The corollary to that point is that the idea that SaaS incomes are future profit cannons is slightly doubtful — if that past revenue is now such pure profit, why doesn't it support, and constrain future customer acquisition expenses, which contribute to gaping GAAP losses down the road, say, eight years, keeping revenue roughly equal to just the sales and marketing line item?

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

When comparing the two blocking ELISA kits little differences can be found, though Kit C gave less doubtful results and a slightly better repeatability.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

(Extremely doubtful).

The New York Times

Doubtful glances.

The New York Times - Arts

'Racist?' Doubtful".

The Guardian - Film

The President seemed doubtful.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly doubtful" to express a moderate level of uncertainty or skepticism without being overly critical or dismissive. It is particularly useful when you want to acknowledge a possibility while also indicating your reservations.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly doubtful" when you have strong reservations or clear evidence against something. In such cases, stronger phrases like "highly doubtful" or "unlikely" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly doubtful" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by expressing a mild degree of uncertainty or skepticism. As shown in Ludwig, it adds a nuanced perspective, acknowledging possibility while expressing reservations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Science

33.33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly doubtful" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in written English. It serves to express a moderate level of uncertainty or mild skepticism, adding a nuanced perspective to discussions. According to Ludwig, the phrase functions primarily as an adjectival phrase. Usage is more common in News & Media and Science contexts. When using "slightly doubtful", ensure that the level of doubt aligns with the context, avoiding overstatement when stronger reservations exist. Considering these nuances helps in employing the phrase effectively in various writing scenarios. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and can be used to express a mild uncertainty or hesitation about something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat uncertain

Replaces "slightly" with "somewhat", indicating a similar degree of uncertainty but with a slightly different tone.

a bit skeptical

Uses "skeptical" to emphasize the doubt, suggesting a questioning attitude rather than simple uncertainty.

not entirely convinced

Expresses a lack of complete belief, highlighting the absence of full conviction.

questionable to some extent

Introduces the idea that the matter is open to question, adding a layer of formal consideration.

mildly dubious

Uses "dubious" to suggest a shade of dishonesty or untrustworthiness, making the doubt more pointed.

with reservations

Indicates agreement or acceptance accompanied by underlying doubts or concerns.

not quite sure

Simple and direct expression of uncertainty, suitable for informal contexts.

leaning towards disbelief

Suggests a predisposition to not believe, indicating a stronger level of doubt.

open to question

Highlights that the matter is not settled and is still being considered or debated.

tinged with doubt

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey that the situation is marked by a hint of doubt.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly doubtful" to express a mild uncertainty or hesitation about something. For example, "I am slightly doubtful about the accuracy of the information provided in the report".

What phrases can I use instead of "slightly doubtful"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat uncertain", "a bit skeptical", or "not entirely convinced", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "slightly doubtful" and "doubtful"?

"Slightly doubtful" indicates a milder degree of uncertainty compared to "doubtful". "Doubtful" expresses a stronger feeling of disbelief or uncertainty, while "slightly doubtful" suggests a hint of skepticism.

When is it appropriate to use "slightly doubtful" versus "highly doubtful"?

Use "slightly doubtful" when you have some reservations but are not entirely disbelieving. Use "highly doubtful" when you strongly suspect something is untrue or unlikely. The choice depends on the strength of your skepticism.