a plausible alibi

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a plausible alibi" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to legal situations, investigations, or discussions about someone's justification for their whereabouts during a specific time. Example: "The detective was convinced that the suspect had a plausible alibi, as several witnesses confirmed his presence at a different location."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I always returned within an hour, that being the maximum time for which I was prepared to concoct a plausible alibi of busy signals, wrong numbers, and long-distance calls.

The New Yorker

Some who were interviewed for this article said that if they had a cell phone, they would not have enough time to think up a plausible alibi before speaking with a parent.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

On the other hand, that same clinging to the hearth will limit the freedom of movement and location that provides plausible alibis.

The New York Times

Is this a plausible place?

The New York Times

That seems a plausible relationship.

The Economist

He has a plausible story.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a plausible scenario.

The New York Times

There is a plausible explanation.

Harvard Business Review

It's a plausible assertion.

MIT Technology Review

Is this a plausible premise?

University of California, Berkeley

A plausible answer is this.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When crafting an alibi, focus on verifiable details. Include times, locations, and potential witnesses who can corroborate your story to make it more convincing.

Common error

Avoid creating alibis that are too intricate or convoluted. Simplicity and ease of understanding enhance credibility. The more complex the story, the easier it is to find inconsistencies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a plausible alibi" functions as a noun phrase, where "plausible" modifies the noun "alibi". It describes the quality of the alibi as being believable or likely true, aligning with Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a plausible alibi" is a noun phrase denoting a believable excuse or explanation, primarily used in neutral contexts such as news and media. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and indicates it functions to offer a seemingly truthful account to avoid blame or suspicion. While alternative phrases like ""a convincing alibi"" or ""a credible alibi"" can be used, crafting a simple and verifiable alibi is key to enhancing its believability. The phrase appears frequently in investigative contexts. The frequency is Uncommon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a convincing alibi

Replaces "plausible" with "convincing", emphasizing the persuasiveness of the alibi.

a credible alibi

Substitutes "plausible" with "credible", suggesting the alibi is believable and trustworthy.

a believable alibi

Uses "believable" in place of "plausible", focusing on the quality of being easy to believe.

a tenable alibi

Replaces "plausible" with "tenable", implying the alibi is defensible and can be maintained against scrutiny.

a reasonable alibi

Substitutes "plausible" with "reasonable", indicating the alibi is logical and makes sense.

a valid alibi

Uses "valid" instead of "plausible", suggesting the alibi is officially acceptable and well-founded.

a sound alibi

Replaces "plausible" with "sound", emphasizing the alibi's firmness and reliability.

a likely alibi

Substitutes "plausible" with "likely", indicating the alibi has a high probability of being true.

a feasible alibi

Uses "feasible" in place of "plausible", suggesting the alibi is practical and capable of being carried out.

a specious alibi

Replaces "plausible" with "specious", implying the alibi appears good but lacks real merit (opposite meaning).

FAQs

How can I use "a plausible alibi" in a sentence?

You can use "a plausible alibi" to describe a believable excuse or explanation for someone's whereabouts during a specific time, as in "The suspect presented "a plausible alibi" that placed him miles away from the crime scene".

What can I say instead of "a plausible alibi"?

Alternatives to "a plausible alibi" include "a convincing alibi", "a credible alibi", or "a believable alibi", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What makes an alibi "plausible"?

A plausible alibi is characterized by its apparent truthfulness and ease of belief. It should align with known facts and be supported by verifiable evidence or witnesses, making it seem reasonable and likely.

Which is correct, "a plausible alibi" or "an plausible alibi"?

"A plausible alibi" is correct. The indefinite article "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound, while "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.