adhere to the theory

USAGE SUMMARY

"adhere to the theory" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a particular idea or plan, as in the following example sentence: We must adhere to the theory if we want to get the best results.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Some Arab sources adhere to the theory that Zenobia committed suicide before she could be caught.

The New Yorker

I adhere to the theory that a group of hawks or neocons has hijacked this nation's foreign policy.

The New York Times

He takes his stand against scientists who adhere to the theory of the selfish gene and, more generally, the doctrines of sociobiology and evolutionary psychology.

The New York Times - Books

While he professed not to adhere to the theory that a starter does not lose his job to injury, Van Gundy did say that Ward would be back in the starting lineup when he was ready.

The New York Times - Sports

The conclusions are that should form an effective way of innovative talent training; comply with the strategic planning of the development of creative industries in Shanghai; locate in the direction of "combination of art and engineering" talents training, adhere to the theory of combining teaching philosophy and practice, creativity and technology, heritage and transcendent; etc.

IERI Procedia

Returning to Yorkshire for Emma's funeral, Craven is denied permission to seek a warrant to enter Northmoor; his superiors stubbornly adhere to the theory that Emma was killed by Lowe and McCroon, and suspect Craven of cracking.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In this paper, we adhere to the theory-driven evaluation terminology of Chen [ 15] for reasons of simplicity, acknowledging the wide range of other terms used in Theory of Change and Realist Evaluation.

BMC Public Health

The book stems from Smithsonian symposia on the age of humans and adheres to the theory that the Holocene Age came to a wistful end around 1950, when a phenomenon known as the Great Acceleration began.

The Washington Post

For example, by 1892, in his The Monist paper entitled "The Doctrine of Necessity Examined," he had come to consider as false Kant's understanding of the crucial category of causation: "I believe I have thus subjected to fair examination all the important reasons for adhering to the theory of universal necessity, and have shown their nullity" (CP, 6.65).

SEP

The real question is, how long will employees stay in a situation where their boss adheres to the Theory "X" philosophy, aka the authoritarian regime?

Huffington Post

In general, proponents of the interest theory of rights have been able to view group rights more generously than those who adhere to the choice theory, although the supposition that groups can have interests has not gone unchallenged (Wall 2003, 273).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adhere to the theory", ensure the context clearly defines which specific theory is being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Always provide enough context for the reader to understand the theory.

Common error

Avoid using "adhere to the theory" when referring to general opinions or beliefs that aren't part of a formal theoretical framework. Use more appropriate phrases like "believe in" or "agree with" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adhere to the theory" functions as a verb phrase indicating compliance, commitment, or consistency with a specified theoretical framework. It suggests a deliberate alignment with the principles and tenets of the theory, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adhere to the theory" is a grammatically correct expression used to denote compliance or alignment with a specific theoretical framework. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's most frequently found in scientific, news media, and wiki contexts, suggesting a formal and scientific register. While there are various semantically related alternatives, such as "subscribe to the theory" or "uphold the theory", the choice depends on the desired nuance. Remember to ensure the theoretical context is clear to avoid ambiguity and to avoid applying the phrase to general opinions outside of formal theories. The overall usage frequency is uncommon, yet very appropriate when conveying commitment to a specific theoretical paradigm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subscribe to the theory

Replaces "adhere" with "subscribe", emphasizing agreement or acceptance.

endorse the theory

Uses "endorse" instead of "adhere", suggesting active support or approval.

uphold the theory

Replaces "adhere" with "uphold", indicating maintenance or defense of the theory.

abide by the theory

Uses "abide by" instead of "adhere to", implying compliance or obedience.

be consistent with the theory

Emphasizes consistency with the theory, rather than direct adherence.

conform to the theory

Uses "conform to" instead of "adhere to", suggesting alignment or compliance.

be guided by the theory

Shifts focus to the theory as a guide, rather than a strict rule.

be in accordance with the theory

Highlights the agreement or harmony with the theory.

be faithful to the theory

Replaces "adhere" with "be faithful", conveying loyalty or commitment.

align with the theory

Focuses on aligning actions or beliefs with the theoretical framework.

FAQs

How can I use "adhere to the theory" in a sentence?

You can use "adhere to the theory" to indicate that someone or something follows or complies with a specific theoretical framework. For example, "The research methodology must "adhere to the theory" to maintain validity".

What are some alternatives to "adhere to the theory"?

Alternatives include "subscribe to the theory", "endorse the theory", or "uphold the theory", each carrying slightly different nuances of meaning.

Is it better to say "adhere to the theory" or "follow the theory"?

"Adhere to the theory" implies a stricter compliance and commitment to the principles of the theory, while "follow the theory" suggests a more general guidance. The better choice depends on the specific context.

What does it mean to "adhere to the theory" in a scientific context?

In a scientific context, to ""adhere to the theory"" means to conduct research and draw conclusions that are consistent with the established principles and predictions of that theory, ensuring methodological and conceptual alignment.