because ostensibly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "because ostensibly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a reason or explanation that appears to be true based on the available evidence, but may not necessarily be the case. Example: "She decided to leave the meeting early because ostensibly she had another commitment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

So, what does it mean in today's industry when a 20 year veteran like Laidback Luke is involved in a chart-rigging scandal because, ostensibly, he didn't know better?

Vice

"Easy, because ostensibly we have a convergence of views on the objectives.

The New Yorker

That's because ostensibly they are not pianists; they all have day jobs.

The New York Times

EVAN OSNOS: In particular, there's been a rush to buy salt because, ostensibly, it contains iodine that might protect against thyroid cancer.

The New Yorker

The Court refused to acknowledge any of this, because ostensibly, all that mattered in considering McCleskey's challenge to his death-penalty sentence was whether McCleskey could prove that some state actor had hurled a racial epithet at him.

University of California, Berkeley

You don't have to trust someone you are transacting with because — ostensibly, anyway — no one can steal your cryptocurrency.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

A debate isn't serious simply because it ostensibly deals with complicated subjects.

The New York Times

Now, Tuck and Baas wear a neck roll because it ostensibly helps them avoid a recurrence of their injuries.

The New York Times - Sports

African countries leap at Chinese aid because it ostensibly comes with fewer strings attached than the World Bank's money.

The Economist

Zimmerman's acquittal is the most challenging because this ostensibly was the judicial system working as it should, complete with televised trial by jury.

The Guardian - Opinion

Biologists have long thought that better color vision is, well, better, especially because primates ostensibly use color to determine the ripeness of fruit, for example.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger, more direct causal connectors like "because" or "since" if the reason is known and not just apparent.

Common error

Avoid using "because ostensibly" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound overly cautious or evasive. In contexts where the reason is clear and accepted, a simpler "because" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "because ostensibly" functions as a causal connector, introducing a reason or explanation. However, it subtly indicates that the stated reason might not be the complete or genuine explanation. This is validated by Ludwig's AI analysis, which confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and connector function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "because ostensibly" functions as a grammatically correct causal connector that introduces a reason while also implying a degree of skepticism or uncertainty about its complete validity. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and utility in written English. While not incorrect, its use should be measured, particularly in settings demanding directness. The phrase appears more frequently in formal contexts, particularly news, academic, and scientific writing, making it less common in informal conversation. Alternative phrases like "seemingly because" or "apparently due to" offer similar nuances. Remember to use this phrase when you want to introduce a reason that is presented as the truth, but may not actually be the real or complete explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ostensibly for the reason that

More verbose restatement of the original phrase.

seemingly because

Emphasizes appearance over certainty in the reason provided.

apparently due to

Highlights the apparent cause, suggesting a degree of indirect evidence.

ostensibly on account of

Replaces "because" with the slightly more formal "on account of".

ostensibly since

Replaces "because" with "since", maintaining the ostensible quality of the explanation.

on the surface because

Adds explicit focus on the superficial nature of the stated reason.

purportedly as a result of

Indicates the reason is based on claims that may be questionable.

allegedly because

Highlights the reason as something that has been claimed but not proven.

supposedly as a consequence of

Implies the reason is based on hearsay or assumptions.

it would appear that because

Adds more uncertainty to the justification.

FAQs

How do I use "because ostensibly" in a sentence?

Use "because ostensibly" to introduce a reason that is presented as the apparent or official explanation, but which you suspect might not be the complete or genuine reason. For example, "The project was delayed because ostensibly of budget cuts".

What phrases can I use instead of "because ostensibly"?

You can use alternatives like "seemingly because", "apparently due to", or "ostensibly since", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "because ostensibly" formal or informal?

"Because ostensibly" tends to be more formal and is often found in news, academic writing, and professional contexts, as shown by Ludwig's examples. Simpler alternatives like "because" are more common in informal settings.

What is the difference between "because ostensibly" and "because apparently"?

Both phrases introduce a reason that might not be entirely accurate. "Because ostensibly" suggests the reason is officially given, while "because apparently" ("because apparently") implies the reason is based on available evidence but could still be incorrect.