dominant hypothesis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dominant hypothesis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in scientific or academic contexts to refer to the prevailing or most widely accepted hypothesis in a particular field of study. Example: "The dominant hypothesis in climate science suggests that human activity is the primary driver of global warming."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The dominant hypothesis to explain this has been that the antibodies from the first infection react with the new serotype in a way that worsens the damage.

University of California, Berkeley

The dominant hypothesis prosecutors are looking at now alleges that Woodroffe may have killed Arévalo because of a debt.

Vice

The dominant hypothesis over the last several decades has placed heterodontosaurids as basal ornithopods.

Wikipedia

A third and the dominant hypothesis was that each of the three vocal learning bird groups evolved similar cerebral nuclei for vocal learning and production independent of their common ancestor [7], [14] (Fig. 1A, red dots).

Plosone

Therefore, according to the dominant hypothesis [4], [14], within the past 65 million years 3 out of 23 avian orders independently evolved seven similar cerebral vocal nuclei for a complex behavior ([7], Fig. 1A, red dots).

Plosone

A dominant hypothesis regarding the outcome of this structural metamorphosis is that newly sprouted mossy fibers form recurrent synaptic connections with other granule cells, thus accounting for increased excitability of the dentate gyrus under experimental conditions [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Two dominant hypotheses explain this process.

Biological Conservation

Although some studies have conformed to our expectations, others have proved challenging to assumptions underlying the dominant hypotheses.

Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology

One of the dominant hypotheses, he noted, is that certain vitamins are antioxidants that protect aging cells against oxidative damage caused by free radicals, harmful molecules resulting from metabolic processes within cells.

The New York Times

As a result, focusing on confirming existing dominant hypotheses rather than on exploratory particle searches was the least risky way of achieving results that would justify unprecedented investments.

SEP

At this, two dominant hypotheses on the origin of piloerection shall be tested: the peak arousal hypothesis and the separation call hypothesis.

Biological Psychology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing scientific papers, clearly state if you are challenging the "dominant hypothesis" and provide robust evidence to support your alternative.

Common error

Avoid using "dominant hypothesis" when referring to well-established theories with significant empirical support. Use "dominant theory" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dominant hypothesis" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the most widely accepted explanation or model for a phenomenon or problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

70%

Academia

15%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dominant hypothesis" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to identify the most widely accepted explanation or model in a given field, particularly within science and academia. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is accurate and suitable for use in English. While alternative phrases like "leading hypothesis" or "prevailing theory" exist, it's crucial to distinguish between a hypothesis and a theory. When challenging the "dominant hypothesis", writers should provide robust evidence. Its primary function is to establish a shared understanding before presenting new arguments or research. Given its prevalence in scientific and academic sources, the register is generally formal. Common sources include PlosOne, NCBI, Nature and ScienceDirect among others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Leading hypothesis

Synonymous replacement of "dominant" with "leading".

Predominant idea

Synonymous replacement of both words in the original phrase.

Prevailing theory

Replaces "hypothesis" with "theory", implying a more established idea.

Established theory

Highlights the established nature of the theory.

Accepted explanation

Focuses on the acceptance of a concept rather than its dominance.

Principal assumption

Replaces "hypothesis" with "assumption", indicating a foundational belief.

Mainstream view

Shifts from a scientific term to a more general expression of widespread belief.

Central tenet

Highlights the core aspect of the hypothesis.

Commonly held belief

Emphasizes the widespread acceptance of an idea.

Conventional wisdom

Indicates a generally accepted belief, which may or may not be scientifically proven.

FAQs

How can I use "dominant hypothesis" in a sentence?

You can use "dominant hypothesis" to refer to the most widely accepted explanation for a phenomenon, such as, "The "amyloid hypothesis" is the dominant hypothesis regarding the cause of Alzheimer's disease."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "dominant hypothesis"?

Alternatives to "dominant hypothesis" include "leading hypothesis", "prevailing theory", or "mainstream view", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "dominant hypothesis" in formal writing?

Yes, "dominant hypothesis" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in scientific and academic contexts, to refer to the most accepted explanation.

What distinguishes the "dominant hypothesis" from other hypotheses?

The "dominant hypothesis" is the one that currently holds the most support and acceptance within a particular field, although it may still be subject to debate and revision, compared to alternative or less supported explanations.