this is dubious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is dubious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing doubt or uncertainty about the validity or reliability of something. Example: "The evidence presented in the report is weak, and I must say, this is dubious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But the science behind this is dubious.

The New York Times

She didn't get anywhere, so why push it?I think this is dubious reasoning.

The Economist

It is often seen as a reward for past contributions, not as a pure benefit, but this is dubious: pensions are funded by today's taxpayers.

The Economist

Steps away but years before, the inn suggests, Vice President Aaron Burr's and Alexander Hamilton's feud was fueled amid fiery discourse, although members of the Aaron Burr Association and the Rhinebeck Historical Society say this is dubious.

The New York Times - Travel

"To those outside the media these would sound like dubious ethics," she notes, but this is dubious stuff however you slice it and celebrity exposé is still celebrity exposé even when you write things like: "I stared at the liquid sheen of the M25".

The Guardian - Sport

Intuitively, however, this is dubious.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

This claim is dubious.

The New Yorker

The economic value of all this trading is dubious at best.

The New York Times

Their effectiveness in achieving this goal is dubious at best, counterproductive at worst.

The New York Times

However, the effective ratio in this method is dubious in such shoal grounding accidents.

Marine Structures

That this position is dubious was pointed out by many linguists, in particular by Dowty (1979) and Verkuyl (1993).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider stronger synonyms like 'questionable' or 'doubtful' to maintain a professional tone when expressing skepticism.

Common error

While effective, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "questionable", "doubtful", or "unconvincing" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is dubious" functions as a statement expressing doubt or skepticism. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable, often used to question the validity or reliability of something. Examples show its use in academic, news, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is dubious" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey doubt or uncertainty. According to Ludwig AI, it's a valid way to express skepticism in various contexts, as seen in numerous examples from news, science, and general writing. While generally neutral, using synonyms may be appropriate for maintaining a formal tone. The analysis further suggests that understanding the subtle nuances and potential overuse can refine writing for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this seems questionable

Replaces 'dubious' with 'questionable', softening the tone of doubt.

this appears doubtful

Substitutes 'dubious' with 'doubtful', offering a slightly more formal alternative.

there is reason to doubt this

Rephrases the statement to highlight the reason for doubt rather than directly labeling something as dubious.

this raises suspicion

Emphasizes the element of suspicion arising from the matter in question.

this is open to question

Indicates that the matter is not settled and remains debatable.

i'm skeptical about this

Shifts to a first-person perspective to express personal skepticism.

i have my doubts about this

Expresses personal uncertainty, focusing on the speaker's reservations.

this is unconvincing

Indicates that the matter fails to persuade or inspire belief.

the validity of this is uncertain

Focuses on the uncertainty surrounding the validity of the matter.

this lacks credibility

Highlights the absence of believability or trustworthiness.

FAQs

How can I use "this is dubious" in a sentence?

You can use "this is dubious" to express doubt or uncertainty about a claim, idea, or situation. For example, "The evidence presented is weak, so I think this is dubious".

What are some alternatives to "this is dubious"?

Alternatives include "this seems questionable", "this appears doubtful", or "I'm skeptical about this", depending on the context.

Is "this is dubious" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "this is dubious" may be perceived as informal. Consider using more formal synonyms like "questionable" or "doubtful" in academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "this is dubious" and "this is suspicious"?

"This is dubious" implies doubt or uncertainty about validity or truth, while "this is suspicious" suggests a belief that something is wrong or potentially illegal. The former focuses on uncertainty, the latter on potential wrongdoing.