a compelling theory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a compelling theory" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a theory that is persuasive and persuasive enough to be convincing. For example: "The professor presented a compelling theory on why our economy has been so successful despite the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

But prosecutors offered a compelling theory of how Levy died nine years ago.

The Washington Post

It's a compelling theory — and now there is scientific reason to believe it.

The New York Times

Dr. Salthe said he did not find intelligent design to be a compelling theory, either.

The New York Times - Science

One woman I speak to at Comic Con offers a compelling theory that the films' secret weapon is that everyone secretly fancied Doc.

The Guardian - Film

"It was my way of thumbing my nose at them". Dr. Salthe said he did not find intelligent design to be a compelling theory, either.

The New York Times - Science

Darwin provided a compelling theory about how species change due to competition in reproducing populations, yet it remains difficult to understand, particularly when applied to ourselves.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Admittedly, I originally found the notion that Obama might catch a lucky break in the battleground states to be a pretty compelling theory, and I gave it its due.

Huffington Post

H.P. Grice, the father of pragmatic implicatures, offered a very compelling theory of conversational implicatures.

SEP

A more compelling theory: Drogon started the fire.

Huffington Post

Admittedly, short of a comprehensive and compelling theory of epistemic normativity, no single account of fruitfulness against which to test proposed explications is available.

Erkenntnis

In each case the paradigm shift required a mixture of new and compelling theory and sooner-or-later supporting observations.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "a compelling theory", ensure you provide sufficient evidence and logical reasoning to support it. A theory's strength lies in its ability to explain observations and predict outcomes.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a compelling theory" as an absolute truth or fact. Even the most persuasive theories are subject to revision based on new evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a compelling theory" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status, indicating it's an accepted part of English grammar. Examples show it introducing a significant or noteworthy explanation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a compelling theory" is a noun phrase that presents an idea or explanation as persuasive and believable. It is grammatically correct and best used when introducing well-supported arguments or ideas, especially in news, academic, and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms it's a valid and usable phrase. Remember to provide sufficient evidence to back up any theory you describe as "compelling", and avoid presenting it as an absolute fact. Alternative phrases include "a persuasive explanation" and "a convincing argument" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a persuasive explanation

Replaces "theory" with "explanation", focusing on the act of making something understandable and convincing.

a convincing argument

Substitutes "theory" with "argument", emphasizing the presentation of reasons for a particular point of view.

a strong hypothesis

Replaces "theory" with "hypothesis", indicating a more tentative explanation that is yet to be fully tested or proven.

a plausible rationale

Emphasizes the reasonableness and believability of the reasoning behind something.

an impressive account

Highlights the detailed and well-presented nature of the explanation.

a well-supported claim

Focuses on the evidence and justification backing up the statement or idea.

a credible explanation

Stresses the trustworthiness and reliability of the given account.

a forceful interpretation

Highlights the impact and strength of the explanation's perspective.

a valid proposition

Emphasizes the logical soundness and acceptability of the idea being presented.

an insightful analysis

Highlights the depth and understanding demonstrated in the explanation.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a compelling theory" in a sentence?

Use "a compelling theory" when you want to introduce an idea or explanation that is convincing due to its logical structure and supporting evidence. For example, "The scientist presented "a compelling theory" about the origins of the universe".

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

You can use alternatives such as "a persuasive explanation", "a convincing argument", or "a strong hypothesis", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a theory "compelling"?

A theory is "compelling" when it's presented with strong evidence, logical reasoning, and clear explanations that make it persuasive and convincing. It effectively captures and explains complex phenomena.

Is "a compelling theory" always correct?

Not necessarily. While "a compelling theory" is persuasive, it doesn't guarantee absolute correctness. Theories are always subject to further testing, revision, and potential falsification based on new evidence and observations.