conjecture

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'conjecture' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an idea, opinion, or theory that is based on incomplete information and is usually considered to be probable but not definite or proven. For example: Based on the evidence, the police made a conjecture that the perpetrator had fled the city.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But what he regarded as scientific many now see as mere conjecture.

The Guardian - Opinion

The nature of some of the discussion and conjecture in the media, however, is dismaying.

The Guardian - Film

As usual, the news headlines conflate this conjecture with fact.

The Guardian

"Such a conjecture is absolutely unthinkable and impossible," he replied.

The Guardian

There was so much conjecture printed as fact.

The Guardian - Film

The NSA's actions and the laws that enable them – as well as some occasionally overblown conjecture around this – threaten to diminish the power and freedom of the net.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unfortunately, instead of clarifying things, they mostly invite further conjecture and confusion.

The Guardian - Film

What caused the wave, and the extent of the damage that resulted, have been matters of conjecture for centuries.

The Economist

Something, then, was pushing space itself apart.What that something is, remains conjecture.

The Economist

Mr Smith lists the circumstantial opportunities and concludes: "Whether he and Kay were intimate remains a matter of conjecture.

The Economist

Too often for comfort it strides over-confidently down the road of historical conjecture.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conjecture" to introduce an idea or theory that is based on incomplete evidence, signaling to the reader that the statement is not definitively proven but worthy of consideration.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "conjecture" as an established fact. Always clearly indicate that it's an assumption or theory, especially in academic or professional writing, to maintain credibility and avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The word "conjecture" functions primarily as a noun to denote an opinion or conclusion based on incomplete information or as a verb to express the act of forming such opinions. The Ludwig AI confirms this as a correct and usable term in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conjecture" is a versatile term used to present an idea or theory that lacks definitive proof. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable in various contexts. While alternatives like "speculation" or "hypothesis" may offer subtle differences in meaning, "conjecture" remains a solid choice for expressing uncertainty with a degree of informed reasoning. Its frequency in News & Media sources underscores its relevance in discussions where complete information is unavailable, highlighting its important role in introducing ideas that merit consideration, even without conclusive evidence. Therefore, while employing "conjecture", ensure it isn't confused with established facts; maintain transparency to uphold the credibility of the presented concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

speculation

Focuses more on the act of forming theories without firm evidence, similar to conjecture but often implies a more informal or public discussion.

hypothesis

Implies a more formal and testable proposition, often used in scientific contexts, making it a structured form of conjecture.

supposition

Suggests something is assumed to be true, often as a basis for reasoning or argument, carrying a slightly weaker level of evidence than conjecture.

surmise

Highlights the act of guessing based on limited information, akin to conjecture but with an emphasis on intuitive judgment.

educated guess

Emphasizes that the guess is based on some knowledge or reasoning, distinguishing it from a random guess and aligning with the informed nature of conjecture.

inference

Focuses on drawing conclusions from evidence, similar to conjecture but emphasizes the logical process more explicitly.

presumption

Involves assuming something is true until proven otherwise, reflecting a proactive stance of belief similar to holding a conjecture.

assumption

Indicates something is taken for granted without proof, sharing the lack of certainty with conjecture but implying a less active consideration.

theory

Suggests a more developed and substantiated explanation than conjecture, though still subject to testing and refinement.

proposition

Highlights the statement being put forward for consideration, focusing on the declarative aspect of conjecture as a proposed idea.

FAQs

How is "conjecture" used in a sentence?

Use "conjecture" to introduce an idea or theory that is based on incomplete evidence. For example, "The detective's strongest conjecture was that the suspect had an accomplice."

What words are similar to "conjecture"?

Synonyms for "conjecture" include "speculation", "hypothesis", "supposition", and "surmise". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When should I use "conjecture" over "hypothesis"?

"Conjecture" is generally used for an idea or opinion based on incomplete information, while "hypothesis" usually refers to a more formal, testable proposition, particularly in scientific contexts.

Is it appropriate to use "conjecture" in formal writing?

Yes, "conjecture" is appropriate for formal writing when you need to present an idea or theory that isn't fully proven but is based on some evidence. Just make sure to clearly indicate that it is a "conjecture" and not an established fact.