a provisional theory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a provisional theory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a theory that is temporary or subject to change based on new evidence or insights. Example: "The researchers proposed a provisional theory to explain the initial findings, acknowledging that further studies are needed to confirm their results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A provisional theory that they might have better enjoyed the more lyrical, soft-focus slow movement had to be discarded when another parade filed out at that movement's end.

The New York Times - Arts

Indeed, Clarke's most distinctive claim is that Descartes's account of the mind as an immaterial substance — his famous "dualism" of the mental and the physical, sometimes known as the doctrine of "the ghost in the machine" — is at best a provisional theory, aimed at providing support for the Catholic doctrine of the immortality of the soul, and sits uneasily with many other things that he wrote.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I presented this evidence last summer at a meeting," Dr. McCoy recalled, "and the comment from the other volcanologists was, 'Hey, it was probably larger than Tambora.' " Dr. Ryan of Columbia has woven such clues into a tantalizing but provisional theory on how distant effects might have slowly undone Crete.

The New York Times - Science

To attempt answers, I develop a provisional, general theory of ecosystem engineering signatures that draws on and integrates a geomorphological foundation of balance between formation and decay; landscape patch dynamics; a general framework for ecosystem engineering; and empirical studies.

Geomorphology

Towards this end, Darwin developed his provisional theory of pangenesis.

Wikipedia

Following grounded theory techniques the data analysis began as soon as the first interview transcripts were written and further sampling supported the elucidation of ideas and developed provisional theory [ 56].

BMC Health Services Research

Scientists, it seemed clear, began with careful observations, cautiously proceeded to a tentative hypothesis, progressed to more secure but still provisional theories, and only in the end achieved, after a long process of verification, the security of permanent laws.

The New Yorker

The talk uses the East European communist regimes that existed prior to 1989 to generate a theory of information and the case of post-1949 China (where institutional evolution is still ongoing) as a provisional test of the theory.

Stanford University

The learned and even-handed stance adopted by [them] regarding problem cases is... upbeat: they regard their theory as a provisional staging post, and a prompt to further empirical enquiry into these open-ended issues.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They are theories for which a tremendous amount of evidence has been amassed, but like all theories, they are accepted in a provisional way.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

And yet nothing whatsoever in democratic theory entitles us to the assumption that such a provisional consensus will emerge.

Comparative Migration Studies

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a provisional theory" when you want to indicate that a theory is subject to change or refinement based on new evidence or further research. It signals that the theory is not yet fully established or universally accepted.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a provisional theory" as a definitive explanation. Always acknowledge its tentative nature and the potential for future revisions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a provisional theory" functions as a noun phrase where "provisional" modifies "theory", indicating that the theory is tentative or subject to change. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a provisional theory" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a theory that is tentative and subject to change. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is acceptable in written English. It's most commonly found in scientific, academic and news contexts, signaling the preliminary nature of an explanation. When using this phrase, ensure it is clear that the theory is not yet fully established and may require further validation. Alternatives include "a tentative theory" or "a working theory", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tentative theory

Replaces "provisional" with "tentative", suggesting a hesitant or uncertain nature to the theory.

a working theory

Emphasizes that the theory is currently being used and tested, but not necessarily permanent.

a preliminary theory

Highlights that the theory is at an early stage of development.

a hypothetical theory

Focuses on the speculative nature of the theory.

an initial theory

Indicates that the theory is the first attempt to explain something.

a developing theory

Suggests the theory is still in the process of being formed and refined.

a speculative theory

Highlights the lack of concrete evidence supporting the theory.

an evolving theory

Suggests the theory changes over time as new information becomes available.

a rudimentary theory

Emphasizes the basic and undeveloped nature of the theory.

an unconfirmed theory

Highlights that the theory lacks validation or proof.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The scientists proposed "a provisional theory" to explain the phenomenon, but further research is needed to confirm it."

What is a good alternative to "a provisional theory"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a tentative theory", "a working theory", or "a preliminary theory".

Is "a provisional theory" the same as "a hypothesis"?

While both are tentative explanations, "a provisional theory" is often broader in scope and based on some initial evidence, whereas a hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction.

When is it appropriate to use "a provisional theory" in writing?

Use it when discussing scientific findings, research proposals, or any situation where an explanation is offered but is not yet fully validated or confirmed. It indicates intellectual honesty and acknowledges the evolving nature of understanding.