a workable theory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a workable theory" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a theory that is practical, feasible, or capable of being applied effectively in a given context. Example: "The researchers proposed a workable theory that could explain the observed phenomena in their experiments."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Economists also had a workable theory of how the economy as a whole operates: Keynesian economics.

The New Yorker

The electroweak theory was without a mathematical foundation, however, and in 1969 't Hooft and Veltman undertook to change, or "renormalize," it into a workable theory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A mathematical foundation for the electroweak theory was lacking, however, and in 1969 Veltman and 't Hooft began working to change, or "renormalize," it into a workable theory free of nonsensical infinite quantities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(Mele himself is not a compatibilist. He remains agnostic between compatibilists and incompatibilists, but offers each camp a best shot at a workable theory).

SEP

In many applications, assumptions about the log-convexity of a probability distribution allow just enough special structure to yield a workable theory.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Again, this does not mean that an ethical theory, such as Merritt's, is not a workable theory; as Meritt argues, this may be the ethical theory that is appropriate to its (all too) human subjects.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

One workable theory is that older, more conservative cohorts polled on political views today came of age during a period of political conservatism: they are simply holding on to a position, not shifting it.

The Guardian - Opinion

The main antagonist is Doctor Neo Cortex, a mad scientist who was often ridiculed by the scientific community for his outlandish (but nearly workable) theories and is now motivated to prove his tormentors wrong by creating a mutated army of animals to conquer the world.

Wikipedia

The essential conclusions, however, come from the elementary model used above, so that this model, despite its simplicity, still provides a workable outline of the theory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Third, it is still based on the assumption that equilibrium is characterised by a stationary distribution, which, as we will see below, is an obstacle when it comes to formulating a workable Gibbsian non-equilibrium theory.

SEP

So while direct democracy seems dangerous in theory, in practice it's a workable supplement to the legislative process.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic or scientific writing, using "a workable theory" can strengthen your argument by suggesting that the theoretical framework is not only conceptually sound but also practically applicable and testable.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a workable theory" needs to be flawless to be valuable. A theory can be workable even with limitations, provided it offers a useful framework for understanding or action. Recognize that refinement and adjustments are often part of the process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a workable theory" functions as a noun phrase, where "workable" modifies "theory." It describes a specific type of theory that is not only conceptual but also practical and implementable. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is accurate and found in various reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a workable theory" denotes a theory that is both practical and implementable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various domains. While more prevalent in scientific and academic contexts, it also appears in news media and encyclopedia entries. The phrase serves to emphasize that a theory isn't merely an abstract idea but holds practical value. For alternative expressions, consider "a practical theory" or "a viable theory". Remember to use "a workable theory" when highlighting the practical application and testability of a theoretical framework.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a practical theory

Replaces "workable" with "practical", emphasizing the real-world applicability of the theory.

a viable theory

Substitutes "workable" with "viable", focusing on the theory's capacity to succeed or function effectively.

a feasible theory

Replaces "workable" with "feasible", highlighting the achievability and possibility of the theory.

a sound theory

Substitutes "workable" with "sound", suggesting that the theory is robust and well-founded.

a useful theory

Replaces "workable" with "useful", emphasizing the utility and helpfulness of the theory.

an effective theory

Substitutes "workable" with "effective", highlighting the theory's ability to produce a desired result.

a functional theory

Replaces "workable" with "functional", emphasizing that the theory operates correctly.

a usable theory

Replaces "workable" with "usable", indicating the theory can be readily put into practice.

a successful theory

Changes "workable" to "successful", implying the theory has been validated or proven.

a tenable theory

Replaces "workable" with "tenable", suggesting that the theory is defensible and can be maintained against objection.

FAQs

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

You can use "a workable theory" to describe a concept or framework that is practical and can be effectively applied. For example, "The scientist proposed "a workable theory" to explain the phenomenon."

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a practical theory", "a viable theory", or "a feasible theory".

Is there a difference between "a workable theory" and "a plausible theory"?

"A workable theory" implies that the theory is not only believable but also capable of being implemented or used in practice. "A plausible theory", on the other hand, simply suggests that the theory is believable or likely to be true but doesn't necessarily imply practical application.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a workable theory" in writing?

Use "a workable theory" when you want to emphasize that a theoretical framework is not only conceptually sound but also practically applicable and testable in real-world scenarios. It's especially relevant in scientific, academic, and professional contexts where implementation is important.