we are doubtful

USAGE SUMMARY

"we are doubtful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing uncertainty or skepticism. Example sentence: We are doubtful that the building will be completed on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

We are doubtful.

Harvard Business Review

We are doubtful and argue that the "single point of entry" approach is better viewed as one tool in the resolution toolbox.

The New York Times

"We are doubtful whether parliament either expected or intended that cases such as McKinnon would go back to the home secretary for further consideration on human rights grounds," said Scott Baker.

The Guardian

As a part of our analysis concerned a structured literature review, we are able to 'share' our coding process as it has been performed with qualitative analysis software MaxQDA, but we are doubtful of the added value.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

However, given that this course was not focused on macroevolutionary principles, we are doubtful that we would have seen similar gains on a measure of understanding of macroevolution and therefore this course would not have been the proper context to test these kinds of hypotheses.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

If in this view it pleases us, we are tolerably satisfied… if we are doubtful about it, we are often, upon that very account, more anxious to gain their approbation, and … we are altogether distracted at the thoughts of their censure, which then strikes us with double severity (Smith 1982, p. 109).

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Since ICCAuctions vets lots in advance, he added, "We can exclude anything we're doubtful about".

The New York Times - Arts

They were bad plays &deserved what they got, but even if they had been good ones we're doubtful about their value as propaganda.

The New Yorker

"A year ago today we were depressed, we were doubtful and we were in debt," said Representative Steve Israel of New York, who oversees the committee that works to get Democrats elected to the House".

The New York Times

That may quiet some of the fury in Seoul and Washingtonn), but we're doubtful it will have much impact in Pyongyang, especially when China is so determined to offset any losses.

The New York Times

We were doubtful last night when the story first broke.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing doubt, follow "we are doubtful" with a 'that'-clause or a 'whether'-clause to specify the object of your doubt. For example, "We are doubtful that this approach will succeed."

Common error

Avoid presenting "we are doubtful" as a definitive statement. It expresses uncertainty, not conclusive evidence. Make sure to provide context or reasoning to support your expression of doubt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are doubtful" serves as an evaluative expression, indicating the speaker's lack of certainty or belief in a particular statement or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It often sets the stage for further explanation or justification.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

58%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we are doubtful" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express uncertainty or skepticism, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is prevalent in both scientific and news-related contexts. When using this phrase, it's best to clarify the subject of your doubt with a 'that' or 'whether' clause, and avoid presenting it as a definitive statement. Alternatives such as "we are uncertain" or "we are skeptical" can provide slightly different nuances, depending on the desired level of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are uncertain

Expresses a general lack of certainty, interchangeable in many contexts with the query.

we are skeptical

Indicates a questioning attitude and a tendency to disbelieve, stronger than simply being doubtful.

we are dubious

Similar to skeptical, suggesting hesitation or suspicion about something.

we have our doubts

An idiomatic expression conveying the same uncertainty or lack of conviction.

we are not convinced

Indicates a lack of persuasion or belief in something presented.

we question whether

Directly expresses the act of doubting or questioning a particular point.

we find it hard to believe

Emphasizes the difficulty in accepting something as true or valid.

we are apprehensive

Expresses anxiety or fear that something bad might happen.

we are hesitant

Indicates reluctance or unwillingness to do something due to doubt or uncertainty.

we have reservations

Suggests holding back complete agreement or acceptance due to certain doubts.

FAQs

How to use "we are doubtful" in a sentence?

The phrase "we are doubtful" is typically followed by a 'that' clause or a 'whether' clause to specify what you are doubting. For instance, "We are doubtful that the project will be completed on time" or "We are doubtful whether the data is accurate".

What can I say instead of "we are doubtful"?

You can use alternatives like "we are uncertain", "we are skeptical", or "we have our doubts" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "we are doubtful" or "we are dubious"?

Both "we are doubtful" and "we are dubious" express a sense of uncertainty or skepticism. "We are dubious" may carry a slightly stronger connotation of suspicion than "we are doubtful".

What is the difference between "we are doubtful" and "we are not sure"?

"We are doubtful" expresses a stronger sense of disbelief or skepticism than "we are not sure". While "we are not sure" simply indicates a lack of certainty, "we are doubtful" suggests a leaning towards disbelief.