be plausible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be plausible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the likelihood or credibility of a statement, idea, or scenario. Example: "For the theory to gain acceptance, it must be plausible and supported by evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

would not be plausible.

The New Yorker

"It might be plausible," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Perhaps nothing else would be plausible.

The Guardian

We found Mr Marriner's account to be plausible and credible.

The Guardian - Sport

"I want Bergonia to be plausible," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

There will, in most cases, be plausible deniability.

The New York Times

In a strict macroeconomic sense, it may be plausible.

The Economist

If he stays healthy, a reunion might be plausible.

The New Yorker

He would be plausible, and he'd be better looking than I ever was.

The Guardian

"I don't know that the president can attack Enron and be plausible or authentic.

The New York Times

Jane may be too perfectly dressed, coiffed and housed to be plausible.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be plausible" when you want to suggest that a statement, explanation, or scenario has a reasonable chance of being true or successful. It's useful in arguments, narratives, and planning.

Common error

While "be plausible" is generally acceptable, consider using more precise or formal alternatives like "be credible" or "be defensible" in academic or professional writing to enhance clarity and authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be plausible" functions as a predicate in a sentence, typically describing a subject's characteristic of appearing likely, valid, or acceptable. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase being grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be plausible" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate that something appears likely, valid, or acceptable. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is correct and common across diverse contexts, notably in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. While "be plausible" is generally appropriate, users should consider more formal alternatives like ""be credible"" in academic or professional settings for enhanced precision. Overall, "be plausible" is a reliable and frequently employed phrase in English writing and speech, especially for assessing the likelihood or reasonableness of various claims and scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be credible

Focuses on the believability and trustworthiness of something.

be believable

Highlights the capacity of something to be believed.

be reasonable

Suggests something is logical and in accordance with reason.

be likely

Emphasizes the probability of something occurring or being true.

be feasible

Indicates something is capable of being done or carried out.

be viable

Highlights the capacity of something to succeed or work effectively.

be tenable

Suggests something can be defended or maintained against attack or objection.

be persuasive

Emphasizes the ability to convince someone of something.

be workable

Indicates that something is practical and can be successfully implemented.

be realistic

Focuses on whether something aligns with reality or what is practically possible.

FAQs

How can I use "be plausible" in a sentence?

You can use "be plausible" to describe a scenario, explanation, or argument that seems reasonable or likely. For example, "The detective needed a theory that would "be plausible" to the jury".

What is a synonym for "be plausible"?

Alternatives to "be plausible" include "be credible", "be believable", "be reasonable", or "be likely". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "be plausible" and "be credible"?

"Be plausible" suggests something appears to be true or possible on the surface, while ""be credible"" implies a higher degree of trustworthiness and reliability based on evidence or reputation. Something plausible may not necessarily be credible, but something credible is usually plausible.

In what contexts is "be plausible" most appropriate?

"Be plausible" is suitable for a variety of contexts where you need to assess the likelihood or reasonableness of something. This includes discussions, narratives, and analyses where you evaluate the validity of claims or scenarios. It's very frequent in news and media, science and encyclopedias.