as a working hypothesis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a working hypothesis" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English, and can be used when you need to express something that you are assuming to be true in order to proceed with further investigation.
Example: "As a working hypothesis, we assume that the suspect was the last person to leave the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It means they take it as a working hypothesis.

The New York Times

The voice of a jock, but I just keep that as a working hypothesis awaiting more evidence.

The Guardian

We conclude that there is sufficient experimental evidence for it to be offered as a working hypothesis.

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

Therefore, I wouldn't necessarily subscribe to the benign interpretation that no one is out to get at this person; I'd be keeping that as a working hypothesis.

The Guardian - Money

The success of a prediction therefore only shows that the theory on which it is founded has had practical value so far as a working hypothesis.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As a working hypothesis, two fundamental conditions were introduced into the design of the present system for the evaluation of the propensity for amyloidogenicity.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

Convincing evidence for local landscape richness affecting weed abundance lead us to accept H2 as a working hypothesis for in-field weed abundance.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

Disruptive selection is suggested as a working hypothesis to further investigate mechanisms that have played a role in the evolution of genital structures of Mastigini.

Arthropod Structure & Development

"As a working hypothesis we assume that the effects of climate change and investments in flood defences are broadly offsetting," the report added.

Independent

Current township sizes appear to have been significantly influenced by colonization history, which we offer as a working hypothesis for further research in medieval and post-medieval European landscape colonization.

Journal of Historical Geography

This project has as a working hypothesis that high data quality obtained from smart meters and communicable through social media and other forms of interaction could be used to design and implement innovative and effective water pricing policies.

Procedia Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a working hypothesis" to introduce a concept or idea that you intend to explore further through research or analysis. It sets the stage for a deeper dive.

Common error

Avoid presenting a working hypothesis as a definitive conclusion. Make sure you distinguish between something you're assuming for the purpose of further analysis and something you've proven.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a working hypothesis" serves as an introductory element in a sentence, signaling that the following statement should be considered a provisional assumption. As Ludwig AI explains, it's used to express something assumed to be true for the sake of investigation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a working hypothesis" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce provisional assumptions, particularly in scientific and academic writing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It serves to set the stage for further investigation, indicating that the following statement is not a confirmed fact but rather a basis for exploration. The phrase is most commonly found in scientific contexts, followed by news and media. When using this phrase, it's crucial to avoid presenting the hypothesis as a final conclusion and to emphasize its tentative nature. Similar expressions include "for the sake of argument" or "as a tentative assumption". Overall, "as a working hypothesis" is a useful tool for framing ideas that require further scrutiny and analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let's hypothesize that

This frames the assumption as a hypothesis to be tested or explored.

assuming hypothetically

This clearly indicates that the assumption is made purely for hypothetical consideration.

as a tentative assumption

This emphasizes the preliminary and not fully confirmed nature of the assumption.

as a provisional theory

This highlights the theoretical aspect and its subject-to-change status.

for the sake of argument

This alternative indicates accepting something temporarily to explore its implications, often without full belief.

on the premise that

This alternative presents the assumption as a foundation for further reasoning.

taking it as given

This implies accepting something as a fact, at least temporarily, for the sake of argument or analysis.

for exploratory purposes

This focuses on the investigative intent behind the assumption.

let's presume for now

This conveys a temporary acceptance, useful for moving forward in a discussion or analysis.

as a starting point

This suggests that the assumption is the initial basis for further investigation or development.

FAQs

How can I use "as a working hypothesis" in a sentence?

Use "as a working hypothesis" to introduce an idea or assumption that you are temporarily accepting as true for the purpose of further investigation or discussion. For instance, "As a working hypothesis, we assume that increased screen time correlates with decreased attention spans."

What does it mean to use something "as a working hypothesis"?

Using something "as a working hypothesis" means treating it as a provisional assumption that guides initial inquiry but remains open to revision or rejection based on new evidence. It is not a confirmed fact, but rather a starting point.

What phrases are similar to "as a working hypothesis"?

Similar phrases include "as a tentative assumption", "for the sake of argument", or "assuming hypothetically". These alternatives also suggest a provisional acceptance of an idea for the purpose of exploration.

Is it appropriate to use "as a working hypothesis" in formal writing?

Yes, "as a working hypothesis" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in academic or scientific contexts where ideas are often presented as preliminary and subject to further scrutiny. It clarifies that a statement is not a final conclusion.