agree in theory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "agree in theory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a concept or idea that one supports or accepts in principle, even if there may be practical disagreements or reservations. Example: "While I agree in theory with the proposed changes to the policy, I have concerns about their implementation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Everyone may agree in theory on the benefits of prefab.

The New York Times

I agree in theory, but not in practice.

MIT Technology Review

She said that perhaps economists and theologians could agree in theory about what the archbishop said.

The New York Times

The science academies of the world's most prosperous countries agree, in theory.

The New York Times

Many of us might agree in theory that the needs of desperate outsiders are often greater than our own.

The Guardian

Maybe we agree in theory that you have to be calm but it's difficult to apply when you run and contest the title.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The nine major opposition groupings have agreed, in theory, to work together.

The New York Times

I agreed in theory, but I did not believe it was actually true.

The New York Times - Magazine

The EU has agreed in theory to impose a travel ban on anyone deemed a threat to the country.

The Economist

Most of the major Democratic and Republican presidential candidates have agreed, in theory, to appear at an MTV-MySpace forum, but none of them have set a date.

The New York Times

But she sent e-mail to all her friends, and everyone agreed, in theory, that taking the cat down to Florida would improve its life.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "agree in theory" to acknowledge intellectual or ethical alignment with a concept, while still allowing for practical reservations or disagreements.

Common error

Avoid assuming that someone who "agrees in theory" will automatically support the idea's implementation. Theoretical agreement doesn't guarantee practical support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "agree in theory" functions as a qualifier, modifying the verb "agree". It indicates that the agreement is limited to a theoretical or conceptual level, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It suggests acceptance of an idea or principle in abstract terms, without necessarily endorsing its practical application.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "agree in theory" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey a qualified endorsement of an idea or principle. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signals acceptance on a conceptual level while potentially harboring reservations about practical implementation. Found most frequently in News & Media, it is a useful way to express agreement with underlying principles without committing to full support. Related phrases include "concur in principle" and "accept in principle". When using this phrase, be mindful of potential misunderstandings, as theoretical agreement does not automatically translate to practical endorsement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concur in principle

Focuses on the acceptance of a general principle rather than a specific detail.

accept in principle

Emphasizes the acceptance of a foundational idea, even with reservations.

endorse in theory

Suggests a formal or public declaration of support, limited to theoretical agreement.

support in principle

Highlights support for the underlying idea, despite possible practical objections.

conceptually agree

Indicates agreement on a conceptual level, without necessarily committing to practical application.

theoretically agree

Directly mirrors the original phrase, focusing on agreement from a theoretical standpoint.

in theory, support

Inverts the original structure, emphasizing the 'in theory' aspect before the support.

accept the idea in theory

Explicitly states that it's the idea being accepted, but only in a theoretical sense.

agree academically

Suggests an agreement based on academic or intellectual considerations.

find the premise agreeable

Focuses on the agreeableness of the underlying premise or assumption.

FAQs

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

You can use "agree in theory" to express that you support an idea in principle, but may have reservations about its practicality. For example, "I "agree in theory" with the proposal, but I'm not sure it will work in practice."

What's a good alternative to "agree in theory"?

Alternatives include "concur in principle", "accept in principle", or "theoretically agree". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "agree in theory" and "agree in practice"?

Yes, "agree in theory" suggests intellectual or conceptual agreement, while "agree in practice" implies that the idea has been successfully implemented and accepted. It's possible to "agree in theory" but disagree with how something works out in practice.

When should I use "agree in theory" rather than simply "agree"?

Use "agree in theory" when you want to highlight that your agreement is limited to the conceptual level, and you may have reservations about the real-world application or potential consequences. This clarifies that your support is not unconditional.