by conjecture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by conjecture" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing ideas, theories, or conclusions that are based on speculation rather than solid evidence. Example: "The scientist proposed a new theory about the origins of the universe, but it was based largely by conjecture."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

However the cable appears to be informed by conjecture.

Independent

But the fact that the ability to create new explanations is the unique, morally and intellectually significant functionality of "people" (humans and AGIs), and that they achieve this functionality by conjecture and criticism, changes everything.

The Guardian

But philosophy is embroiled in the "Science Wars", where Popper's faith in progress by conjecture and refutation has been demonstrated by Thomas Kuhn to be naive in explaining why science undergoes revolutions - why theories persist when confronted by overwhelming contradictory evidence, and yet suddenly or prematurely collapse in the face of other, as yet untested, hypotheses.

The Guardian - Opinion

The history of the text during the intervening period may be illustrated from external sources; but if examination has convinced the critic that the transmitted text (or its variants) are not authentic, he normally has no recourse but to bridge the gap by conjecture.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The tsunami run-up is estimated by conjecture through the extent of damage and its associated phenomena.

Earth, Planets and Space

Now, since (q_{ell }(x|mathcal {S}_{ell }) to pi (x)) almost everywhere by Conjecture 1, we have c ℓ →c π and thus a ℓ →1 as ℓ→∞.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It would be instantiated by conjectures, assumptions, and perhaps also by forceless utterances.

SEP

Instead, he was intrigued by a conjecture posed by the geometer Eugenio Calabi, who spoke of complex, higher-dimensional spaces with very special properties.

Huffington Post

At least the din created by domestic conjecture will drown out any more interventions by the FA's resident clown, chairman Greg Dyke.

Independent

Reporting on North Korea, the world's most opaque nation, is by definition conjecture.

The New York Times

But Colorado sports fans might be comforted by current conjecture that the future may include another fondly familiar face.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by conjecture", ensure the context clearly indicates that the information presented is based on speculation or limited evidence, avoiding misleading the reader into thinking it is a confirmed fact.

Common error

Avoid presenting information prefaced "by conjecture" as definitive or proven. Clearly differentiate speculative ideas from established knowledge to maintain credibility and avoid misinforming your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by conjecture" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the manner or basis upon which a statement or conclusion is made. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is usable in written English and serves to qualify statements based on speculation rather than solid evidence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by conjecture" serves as a grammatical tool to express that an idea, theory, or conclusion is primarily based on speculation or limited evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly usable, although it's most appropriate in formal writing styles like Science, News & Media and Encyclopedias where clear communication is vital. The key takeaway is to ensure clarity by clearly marking speculative ideas and differentiate them from factual claims. Alternative phrases such as ""based on speculation"" or ""through surmise"" can be used to diversify language while preserving the same meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

based on speculation

Focuses more directly on the speculative nature of the assertion.

on the basis of guesswork

Highlights the lack of certainty and reliance on educated guesses.

through surmise

Implies a conclusion reached with limited evidence, relying on intuition.

premised on assumption

Emphasizes that the idea relies on an assumed but unproven foundation.

founded on hypothesis

Positions the idea as a testable but not yet verified explanation.

derived from inference

Suggests the idea is deduced from available information, but not definitively proven.

according to supposition

Indicates the idea is based on a belief, possibly without concrete backing.

as a working theory

Presents the idea as a provisional explanation used for further investigation.

by way of proposition

Framing something as a proposed idea or suggestion.

as a tentative explanation

Highlights the provisional and uncertain nature of the interpretation.

FAQs

How can I use "by conjecture" in a sentence?

You can use "by conjecture" to indicate that something is believed or suggested based on limited evidence or speculation. For example, "The scientist's hypothesis was supported only "by conjecture", requiring further investigation."

What phrases are similar to "by conjecture"?

Similar phrases include "based on speculation", "through surmise", or "premised on assumption". These alternatives also suggest that a statement is made with incomplete or uncertain evidence.

When is it appropriate to use "by conjecture" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "by conjecture" when presenting ideas, theories, or conclusions that are based on speculation rather than concrete evidence. Always ensure that the context clarifies the speculative nature of the statement to avoid misinterpretation.

What's the difference between "by conjecture" and "by hypothesis"?

"By hypothesis" suggests a more formal, testable proposition, while ""by conjecture"" implies a weaker, more speculative assertion. A hypothesis is often the starting point for scientific investigation, whereas a conjecture might be a less structured guess or assumption.