very doubtful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very doubtful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty or skepticism about a situation or statement. Example: "Given the lack of evidence, I am very doubtful that the claims made are true."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That's very doubtful.

The New York Times

My Magic 8-Ball says, "Very Doubtful".

The New Yorker

"So right now, it's very doubtful.

The New York Times - Sports

I may practice, but it's very doubtful.

The New York Times - Sports

He'll be very doubtful for tomorrow's game".

The New York Times - Sports

"McGuire and Sutcliffe are very doubtful for Friday," said McDermott.

The Guardian - Sport

"You never know with him but it's very doubtful.

The Guardian - Sport

I should say that I remain very doubtful that any of this explains my actions.

Independent

Trump has, from the beginning, had a very doubtful relationship with New York values.

The New Yorker

Both grew by accretion and, according to a very doubtful tradition, were edited by Confucius himself.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some will argue that those tax cuts bought higher economic growth, but that is very doubtful.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very doubtful" to express a strong sense of skepticism or uncertainty about a particular outcome or statement. Be mindful of the context to ensure it aligns with the level of doubt you intend to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "very doubtful" in highly formal or academic writing where a more nuanced or objective expression of uncertainty might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "unlikely" or "questionable" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very doubtful" functions as an adjective phrase that qualifies a statement or situation, expressing a strong degree of uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very doubtful" is a commonly used phrase to express a strong sense of skepticism or uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While grammatically sound and widely applicable, it's essential to consider the context to avoid overstating doubt, especially in formal settings. Alternatives like "highly improbable" or "quite uncertain" may be more suitable in such cases. The phrase finds frequent usage in News & Media and Scientific domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly improbable

Emphasizes a low probability of something occurring.

extremely unlikely

Highlights the remote chance of something happening.

quite uncertain

Indicates a significant lack of certainty.

rather dubious

Suggests a sense of suspicion or mistrust.

somewhat questionable

Implies that something is open to doubt or challenge.

pretty implausible

Indicates something is difficult to believe.

hard to believe

Expresses difficulty in accepting something as true.

open to question

Indicates that something is not definitively settled.

subject to doubt

Highlights the possibility of skepticism.

not very promising

Suggests a lack of favorable prospects.

FAQs

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

You can use "very doubtful" to express skepticism about a future event or the truth of a statement. For example, "It's "very doubtful" that the project will be completed on time."

What are some alternatives to saying "very doubtful"?

Alternatives include "highly improbable", "extremely unlikely", or "quite uncertain". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "very doubtful" or "highly doubtful"?

Both "very doubtful" and "highly doubtful" are acceptable, but "very doubtful" is slightly more common in general usage. The choice often depends on personal preference and the context.

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

"Doubtful" indicates a state of uncertainty. Adding "very" intensifies the degree of uncertainty, suggesting a stronger likelihood that something is not true or will not happen.