sounds dubious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sounds dubious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing skepticism or doubt about the truth or reliability of something. Example: "His explanation for being late sounds dubious, and I don't think I can trust it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But this sounds dubious, given that both companies are already cutting costs heavily.

The Economist

That sounds dubious, since the $93 will go to offset what otherwise would be expenses that reduced earnings.

The New York Times

Almaviva cites precedent: it's his feudal droit du seigneur to sleep with a servant girl on her wedding night before her husband – even to me, that sounds dubious.

The Guardian - Music

So "Work Out," a reality show on Bravo set in a trendy Beverly Hills gym, sounds dubious: a chance not only to hear about the weekend but actually to watch it unfold.

The New York Times - Arts

Although the 28-year-old Armstrong has many peak years left in principle, he sounds dubious about trying to match the record of five Tour victories held by Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain, the dominant riders of the 1960's, 70's, 80's and 90's.

The New York Times - Sports

It sounds dubious at first — why not use Facebook, as many obviously are already?

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

His team continues to sound dubious.

The New York Times - Sports

Rather, they sound dubious about free trade on all fronts.

The Economist

When I put this scenario to Teixeira, he sounded dubious.

The New Yorker

Briar, who has wavy hair and delicate features, sounded dubious about the prospect.

The New Yorker

Before the performance, an older woman sitting in front of me sounded dubious about "Fearful Symmetries".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "sounds dubious", ensure the context clearly indicates what you are questioning. Providing a reason for your doubt can strengthen your statement.

Common error

Avoid overusing "sounds dubious" in highly formal or academic writing. While acceptable, more precise and sophisticated language might be more appropriate to convey skepticism in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sounds dubious" functions as a subject complement, describing the quality or characteristic of a subject (often a statement, explanation, or plan). It indicates that something gives an impression of being questionable or untrustworthy, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sounds dubious" is a useful expression for conveying skepticism or doubt in a relatively polite manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and sees frequent use in News & Media contexts. While it may not be the most formal choice, it effectively communicates a sense of uncertainty regarding the truth or reliability of something. When writing, consider the audience and context to determine if a more nuanced or formal alternative might be appropriate. Understanding its subtle connotations can improve communication by expressing caution without being directly confrontational.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems questionable

Emphasizes the lack of validity or certainty of something.

appears suspicious

Highlights the potential untrustworthiness or dubiousness.

rings false

Indicates that something does not sound truthful or genuine.

raises doubts

Focuses on the generation of uncertainty or skepticism.

seems unlikely

Suggests a low probability of being true or happening.

is unconvincing

Highlights the failure to persuade or inspire belief.

sounds improbable

Emphasizes the lack of plausibility or believability.

is hard to believe

Highlights the difficulty in accepting something as true.

smells fishy

Informal way of saying something seems suspicious or untrustworthy.

doesn't add up

Implies that details or facts do not logically connect or make sense.

FAQs

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

You can use "sounds dubious" to express doubt or skepticism about a statement or situation. For example, "His explanation for the missing money sounds dubious, so I think we should investigate further."

What's a more formal alternative to "sounds dubious"?

In a more formal context, you could use phrases like "seems questionable", "appears suspicious", or "is unconvincing" to convey a similar meaning but with a more professional tone.

Is "sounds dubious" appropriate for academic writing?

While "sounds dubious" is grammatically correct, it might be considered informal for academic writing. Consider using alternatives like "seems improbable" or "raises concerns about its validity" in academic papers.

What's the difference between "sounds dubious" and "seems doubtful"?

Both phrases express uncertainty, but "sounds dubious" implies more skepticism or suspicion. "Seems doubtful" is a gentler expression of uncertainty, while "sounds dubious" suggests the information may be misleading or untrustworthy.