a plausible source of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a plausible source of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is a believable or reasonable origin of information, evidence, or ideas. Example: "The research paper identified a plausible source of the data that supported the hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

In the midst of the information-technology revolution, a dearth of innovation does not seem a plausible source of stagnation.

The Economist

It plays many different roles in the brain, some concerned with synapses, the interconnections between neurons, so derangements of its function are a plausible source of schizophrenia.

The New York Times - Science

The connection to someone at the Thai investment bank is evidence of a plausible source of confidential information, but not much more than that.

The New York Times

Explaining why I, and most researchers in the quantum theory of computation, disagree that that is a plausible source of the human brain's unique functionality is beyond the scope of this article.

The Guardian

In this paper, we propose a generic text-based semi-automatic system for off-line semantic indexing and retrieval of news videos, since video texts such as speech transcripts stand as a plausible source of semantic information.

Expert Systems with Applications

But he offers no smoking gun, just the argument that a leaky laboratory studying the world's most dangerous animal diseases would seem a plausible source of new or foreign ailments in nearby human populations, especially when the transmitters of the disease are ticks or mosquitoes, which feed indiscriminately on animals or humans.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Epistasis, or gene-gene interactions are a plausible source to explain portions of the missing heritability of BMI.

BioData Mining

Positive selection, driven by fitness gains in individual population members, is a plausible source for the fixation of new sex determination systems.

BioEssays

Given that recent studies have revealed the presence of early endosomes in apical domains of ependymal cells (Roales-Bujan et al., 2012), uptake of lipids may be a plausible source for the observed accumulation of lipid droplets with age in ECs.

Aging Cell

The origin of this pressure is unknown and has not previously been described; however, as the nuclear pores are highly selective with respect to the proteins transported through them, osmotic pressure is a plausible source because of the high concentration of osmolytes within the nucleus.

Plosone

This qaida ma'lumat, this "information base", seems a very plausible source of the name.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a plausible source of", ensure the source you are referring to is genuinely believable within the context. Overstating plausibility can weaken your argument.

Common error

Avoid presenting something as "a plausible source of" without providing supporting evidence or reasoning. This can make your claims appear speculative or unfounded.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a plausible source of" functions as a noun phrase modifier. It identifies a potential origin or cause that is believable or reasonable, as demonstrated by examples in Ludwig. It suggests something could realistically be where an idea, object, or issue originates.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a plausible source of" is a useful phrase for indicating a believable origin or cause, particularly in academic, scientific, and news contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and common usage of this phrase. While suggesting credibility, it's important to provide supporting evidence to avoid speculation. Alternatives such as "a credible origin of" or "a likely cause of" can be used to adjust the emphasis, as seen in "a credible origin of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a credible origin of

Emphasizes the trustworthiness and reliability of the origin.

a believable source of

Focuses on the ease with which the source can be accepted as true.

a conceivable origin for

Suggests that the origin is within the realm of possibility.

a likely cause of

Shifts the focus to causation rather than just origination.

a potential explanation for

Highlights the explanatory power of the source.

a possible reason for

Indicates a reason that could exist, though not definitively proven.

a tenable explanation of

Implies the explanation can be defended or maintained against criticism.

a defensible basis for

Focuses on the ability to justify the source or reason.

a reasonable explanation for

Focuses on the logic and rationality of the explanation.

a sound basis for

Emphasizes that the source or reason is well-founded and reliable.

FAQs

How can I use "a plausible source of" in a sentence?

You can use "a plausible source of" to suggest a reasonable origin or cause. For instance, "The outdated data was "a plausible source of" the error" indicates the data likely caused the error.

What's a good alternative to "a plausible source of"?

Alternatives include "a credible origin of", "a believable source of", or "a likely cause of", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "a plausible source of" or "the plausible source of"?

Use "a plausible source of" when referring to one of potentially many sources. Use "the plausible source of" when you believe you have identified the primary or only likely source.

What makes a source "a plausible source of" something?

A source becomes "a plausible source of" something if it is logically connected to the outcome, has a reasonable chance of being responsible, and there's some supporting evidence, even if not conclusive.