a clear theory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a clear theory" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a theory that is easily understandable or well-defined. Example: "The researcher presented a clear theory that explained the relationship between the variables in the study."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

They also criticised prosecutors and lower court judges for failing to establish a clear theory on what would have prompted Knox, who is now 28, and Sollecito, 31, to commit the murder, and that they instead had bought into a "theory of complicity" – suggesting, for instance, that Knox had been resentful of her flatmate – with few facts to back them up.

The Guardian

Researchers should articulate a clear theory of change and to design studies to capture that change and use appropriately sensitive measures to assess that change during development.

Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

First, already at that time, there were attempts at envisaging simultaneously the questions of vote secrecy in the case of electors and in the case of representatives.[37] And the interesting fact is that we do not have today a clear theory telling us why we should have secret ballots for electors and open votes in plenary parliamentary sessions.

SEP

Identification of the activities that support a shift from traditional education systems to the desired innovative, project based, collaborative and personalized learning environment will require exploration beyond the classroom to include the wide-ranging systemic change of programs, practices, and policies based on the application of a clear theory of change.

Smart Learning Environments

Identification of the activities that support a shift from traditional education systems to the desired innovative and personalized learning environment will require exploration beyond the classroom to include the wide-ranging systemic change of programs, practices, and policies based on the application of a clear theory of change.

Smart Learning Environments

There are ways to hold black organizations accountable to a clear theory of change, in exchange for big dollars.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

However, CHESS was developed without any clear theory about how the programme features related to each other 65 and the TECH model underpinning the Healthlines intervention is intended to address this limitation.

BMJ Open

"It gives a very clear theory of action for the federal government that is very different, that is, 'We're going to set expectations and hold your feet to the fire.' " The federal government has set national priorities on specific issues in education from the 1950's onward.

The New York Times

Camus, all alone, in the night, between continents, far away from everything, is already less the solemn "moralist" of legend ("the Saint," Sartre called him), more a (pre- post-structuralist in his greater concern and anxiety about language, his empre- post-structuralistd refusal to articulate a clear-cut theory: "I am too young to have a system," he told one audience.

The New York Times

Classical doctrine did not embody a clear-cut theory about international capital movements.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Bosanquet considers the three dominant theories of punishment retribution, reformation, and prevention and seems to find all defective; some have argued that, like Green, in the end Bosanquet does not offer a clear, consistent theory of punishment.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting a theory, ensure that its core assumptions, predictions, and implications are explicitly stated and easily understood by the intended audience. Use the phrase "a clear theory" to emphasize its understandability.

Common error

Avoid using overly technical jargon or complex sentence structures when describing your theory. Strive for clarity and simplicity to ensure that your audience can readily grasp the key concepts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clear theory" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as an object or complement in a sentence. It describes a particular quality of a theory, emphasizing its comprehensibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a clear theory" is a noun phrase used to describe a theory that is easily understandable and well-defined. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts, including science, news, and formal communications. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys the comprehensibility of a theoretical framework. When aiming for clarity in your writing, remember to define key assumptions and avoid unnecessary jargon, ensuring your theory is easily grasped by your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a well-defined theory

Emphasizes the precision and distinctness of the theory.

an explicit theory

Highlights the theory's openness and lack of ambiguity.

a straightforward theory

Focuses on the simplicity and ease of understanding of the theory.

an understandable theory

Stresses the comprehensibility and accessibility of the theory.

a lucid theory

Highlights the clarity and transparency of the theoretical concepts.

a coherent theory

Focuses on the logical consistency and internal integrity of the theory.

a transparent theory

Emphasizes the accessibility and openness of the theoretical framework.

a distinct theory

Highlights the unique and distinguishable characteristics of the theory.

a precise theory

Emphasizes the accuracy and exactness of the theoretical concepts.

a well-articulated theory

Focuses on the thoroughness and clarity of the theory's presentation.

FAQs

How can I use "a clear theory" in a sentence?

You can use "a clear theory" to describe a well-defined and easily understandable explanation for a phenomenon. For example, "The scientist proposed "a clear theory" to explain the behavior of black holes".

What are some alternatives to saying "a clear theory"?

Some alternatives to "a clear theory" include "a well-defined theory", "an explicit theory", or "a straightforward theory".

Is it better to have "a clear theory" or "a complex theory"?

While complexity may sometimes be necessary, having "a clear theory" is generally preferable because it is more easily understood, tested, and applied. Clarity enhances its utility and impact.

What makes "a clear theory" effective?

An effective "clear theory" is characterized by its logical consistency, empirical support, and ability to generate testable predictions. It avoids ambiguity and provides a coherent explanation for the observed phenomena.