that seems questionable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that seems questionable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing doubt or skepticism about a statement, idea, or situation. Example: "The data provided by the researcher is inconsistent, and that seems questionable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

One thing that seems questionable is Romney's tax return defense that, "all the taxes are paid, as appropriate".

The New York Times

The magic motif that seems questionable in the designs is more appealing in Mr. Calhoun's wittier bits of staging.

The New York Times

It a decision that seems questionable: immediately you worry for Camille who, after acting older than her years in the past few episodes, suddenly looks small and childlike again in the face of these gawking onlookers.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The trade of their second-round pick to San Francisco so the Jets could move up to the 12th overall pick -- a move that seems questionable because it did not help the Jets move further up to get a top-notch receiver -- was especially harmful.

The New York Times - Sports

Almost every time you go to look at this section, there's at least one app that seems questionable.

TechCrunch

That's a regressive tax, one that's based on behavioral logic that seems questionable at best to me.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Even if that seemed questionable, Beane said he would rather make a trade too early than too late.

The New York Times

Money can't buy you elections, but following it can help you understand them.There are a couple of buried assumptions in much of the reaction to Wednesday's Supreme Court McCutcheon decision that seem questionable to me.

The Economist

Brooks, a backup who became a first-stringer late in the season because of an injury to Jeff Blake, threw for one interception and made a few scrambles from the pocket that seemed questionable.

The New York Times - Sports

As Trump has abrogated one international accord after another, observers worldwide have struggled to find some rationale for decisions that seem questionable on their merits and have frayed relations with long-standing allies.

Huffington Post

Yes, there were moments in Monza that seemed questionable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that seems questionable" when you want to express uncertainty or polite disagreement about a statement or idea without being overly confrontational.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, repeatedly using "that seems questionable" can weaken your argument in formal writing. Opt for stronger, more direct language to clearly articulate your concerns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that seems questionable" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating a degree of skepticism or doubt about a particular statement, action, or situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable, offering a polite way to express uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that seems questionable" serves as a polite yet critical tool for expressing doubt or uncertainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While suitable for various registers, it’s best used when a softened approach is desired, as it allows for further inquiry without being overly confrontational. Alternatives like "that appears doubtful" or "that raises doubts" can offer subtle variations in emphasis. Remember to avoid overuse in formal writing to maintain a strong and clear argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is dubious

Uses a more direct term "dubious" to suggest something is suspect or unreliable.

that appears doubtful

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "questionable" with "doubtful", slightly emphasizing the appearance of doubt.

that raises doubts

Shifts the focus to the action of raising doubts rather than the state of being questionable.

that is suspect

Directly labels the subject as suspicious or untrustworthy.

that is open to doubt

Expresses that the subject is susceptible to being doubted or questioned.

that is subject to scrutiny

Highlights that the subject warrants careful examination and possible criticism.

that is debatable

Indicates that the subject is controversial and can be argued from different points of view.

that warrants further investigation

Suggests the need for more detailed inquiry due to potential issues.

that gives cause for concern

Emphasizes that the subject is worrying and justifies feeling concerned.

that seems improbable

Focuses on the low likelihood of something being true or happening.

FAQs

How can I use "that seems questionable" in a sentence?

You can use "that seems questionable" to express doubt or uncertainty about something. For example: "His explanation for the missing funds "that seems questionable", and requires further investigation."

What are some alternatives to "that seems questionable"?

Alternatives include "that appears doubtful", "that raises doubts", or "that is dubious", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "that seems questionable" or "that is questionable"?

"That seems questionable" softens the statement, making it less direct. "That is questionable" is a more assertive expression of doubt. The better choice depends on the desired level of directness.

In what situations is "that seems questionable" most appropriate?

"That seems questionable" is most appropriate when you want to express doubt politely or tentatively, particularly when you don't have enough information to make a definitive judgment.