a questionable hypothesis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a questionable hypothesis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a theory or proposition that lacks sufficient evidence or is open to doubt. Example: "The researchers presented a questionable hypothesis that did not align with the existing data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

(A questionable hypothesis, considering he needs 300 cars to guarantee at least 57 are plugged in at the right time).

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

We are aware that this is a strong and maybe questionable hypothesis.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

But to test out a questionable social hypothesis, proposed and enacted by older people who would no doubt find an excuse to themselves be exempted?

The New York Times

These apprehensions are common among many scientists, partly driven by publications like Kiriakidou et al[ 1], where misapplication of powerful computational methods yields questionable hypotheses that lead to incorrect conclusions.

Biology Direct

The current approach of modeling drugs to minimize "uncoupling" on the basis of erstwhile hypothesis stands questionable, considering the ideas brought forth in this work.

Plosone

Looking at the product market definition our findings support the hypothesis that an aggregated cluster market approach neglects relevant information and is a questionable indicator for market concentration.

Health Economics Review

It is a questionable decision.

The Economist

The Colorados are a questionable lot.

The Economist

That is a questionable prospect.

The New York Times - Sports

That is a questionable assumption.

The New York Times

"It is a questionable cocktail".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a questionable hypothesis" when you want to express doubt or skepticism about a proposed explanation or theory. Ensure that your writing clearly indicates the reasons for your skepticism.

Common error

Avoid using "a questionable hypothesis" when you simply want to present an alternative viewpoint. Ensure your phrasing reflects genuine reservations about the validity or reliability of the hypothesis, rather than just a difference in interpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a questionable hypothesis" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "questionable" modifies the noun "hypothesis". This suggests that a particular hypothesis is being viewed with skepticism or doubt, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a questionable hypothesis" is a noun phrase used to express doubt or uncertainty about a proposed explanation. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, particularly in science and news media. While not extremely common, its use indicates a need for further scrutiny or evidence. Alternative phrases such as "a dubious hypothesis" or "an uncertain hypothesis" can be used to convey similar meanings with varying degrees of emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure that your writing clearly indicates the reasons for your skepticism and avoid overstating the doubt when an alternative viewpoint is all that is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dubious hypothesis

Replaces "questionable" with "dubious", suggesting stronger doubt or skepticism.

an uncertain hypothesis

Substitutes "questionable" with "uncertain", highlighting the lack of certainty surrounding the hypothesis.

a tentative hypothesis

Replaces "questionable" with "tentative", implying the hypothesis is provisional and subject to change.

a shaky hypothesis

Substitutes "questionable" with "shaky", suggesting the hypothesis is unstable or poorly supported.

a flimsy hypothesis

Replaces "questionable" with "flimsy", indicating the hypothesis lacks substance or evidence.

a suspect hypothesis

Substitutes "questionable" with "suspect", implying the hypothesis is untrustworthy or potentially flawed.

a challenged hypothesis

Replaces "questionable" with "challenged", suggesting the hypothesis has faced opposition or scrutiny.

a controversial hypothesis

Substitutes "questionable" with "controversial", highlighting that the hypothesis is subject to debate or disagreement.

an untested hypothesis

Replaces "questionable" with "untested", focusing on the lack of empirical validation for the hypothesis.

an unproven hypothesis

Substitutes "questionable" with "unproven", emphasizing that the hypothesis has not been demonstrated to be true.

FAQs

How can I use "a questionable hypothesis" in a sentence?

You can use "a questionable hypothesis" to express doubt about a proposed explanation. For example: "The researcher presented "a questionable hypothesis", citing limited evidence to support the claims."

What are some alternatives to using "a questionable hypothesis"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a dubious hypothesis", "an uncertain hypothesis", or "a tentative hypothesis", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a hypothesis "questionable"?

A hypothesis might be considered "questionable" if it lacks sufficient supporting evidence, contradicts established theories, or relies on flawed assumptions.

Is "a questionable hypothesis" always incorrect?

Not necessarily. "A questionable hypothesis" is simply one that is open to doubt or requires further investigation. It may turn out to be incorrect, but it could also be refined or supported by new evidence.