conjectures

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conjectures" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information. Example: "The scientist presented several conjectures about the behavior of the particles under different conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Endlessly, over scotches and pisco sours, we tossed about our conjectures for the future, those with US passports rightly forecasting the worst for Chile's "socialist experiment".

The Guardian

To express doubts about the heir apparent based on rumours and wild conjectures is not the way to initiate debate about the issue.

The Economist

Mr Ito's murderer, Tetsuya Shiroo, was once jailed for intimidating Mr Motoshima.Mr Shiroo gave himself up after the shooting; conjectures abound as to his motives.

The Economist

But a few conjectures can be attempted.Mr Bush called these "not acts of terrorism but acts of war".

The Economist

Dr Flor conjectures that the mirror therapy might be able to restore the feedback mechanism in patients with retracted phantoms by providing enough nerve input for the brain to reverse some of the changes that follow amputation.

The Economist

But, regardless of whether either of these conjectures is true, neither playing with other boys nor sexual abuse has been scientifically linked to homosexuality.Anthony Bogaert of Brock University in St Catharines, Ontario, therefore decided to examine the other hypothesis that the phenomenon is caused by something that happens in the womb.

The Economist

Discarding these workers subtracts little from the nation's output, he argues; it also flatters the productivity figures of those with jobs.America, Mr Lindert conjectures, can get away with an inefficient tax code because its tax burden is quite low.

The Economist

About Stephen Sondheim's musical company he conjectures that there is "something implicitly Jewish in [its] remorseless psychologising and brooding self- consciousness".

The Economist

The man glances at one and lets his conjectures fly.India will soon be the world's greatest power.

The Economist

Alongside taking bets on conjectures such as when Facebook will attract its billionth user and the chances of Nick Clegg being made David Cameron's new baby's godfather, the firm also has a book on what the LHC will discover this year.

The Economist

They therefore understate the Gulf states' holdings, perhaps by as much as $100 billion over the past five years, the IIF conjectures.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conjectures" when you want to express an opinion or conclusion based on incomplete information. It's appropriate when discussing theoretical possibilities or speculative ideas, especially in academic or scientific contexts.

Common error

Avoid presenting "conjectures" as definitive conclusions or established truths. Clearly indicate that they are based on incomplete evidence or speculation to maintain intellectual honesty and avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "conjectures" is as a noun, typically in the plural form. It refers to opinions or conclusions formed on the basis of incomplete information. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, emphasizing the speculative nature of these ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conjectures" refers to opinions or conclusions based on incomplete information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage across academic, scientific, and journalistic domains. To enhance clarity and precision in your writing, consider related terms like "hypotheses" or "speculations" depending on the context. Remember to avoid presenting "conjectures" as definitive facts, and ensure that their speculative nature is clearly conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

speculations

Emphasizes forming opinions or conclusions based on incomplete or uncertain information; similar in meaning but slightly broader.

hypotheses

Focuses on proposed explanations made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.

surmises

Implies forming an idea or opinion that something is true without having conclusive evidence.

guesses

Suggests an estimate or supposition made without sufficient information to be sure of being correct.

suppositions

Indicates something that is assumed to be the case without proof.

assumptions

Highlights something taken for granted or supposed to be true, often without proof.

theories

Suggests a well-substantiated explanation acquired through the scientific method and repeatedly tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation.

proposals

Focuses on plans or suggestions, especially formal ones, put forward for consideration or discussion.

inferences

Emphasizes a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning.

premises

Highlights a previous statement or proposition from which another is inferred or follows as a conclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "conjectures" in a sentence?

You can use "conjectures" to refer to guesses or speculations about something. For example, "The scientist presented several "hypotheses" based on limited data."

What's a simple way to explain the meaning of "conjectures"?

"Conjectures" are essentially educated guesses or "speculations". They're ideas formed without complete proof, often used in science and research.

Which is more appropriate, "conjectures" or "assumptions"?

"Conjectures" imply a degree of speculation or uncertainty, while "assumptions" are statements accepted as true without proof. Use "conjectures" when emphasizing the speculative nature of an idea, and "assumptions" when something is taken for granted as a base.

What are some words similar to "conjectures" that I could use?

Similar words include "surmises", "hypotheses", and "suppositions". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.