fairly plausible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly plausible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when assessing the likelihood or credibility of a statement, idea, or theory, indicating that it is somewhat believable but not entirely certain. Example: "The theory presented by the researcher is fairly plausible, given the evidence provided."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

This argument, Mr. Tribe said, was "fairly plausible".

The New York Times

All of it is fairly plausible, some of it is exactly.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Even a few weeks ago the Fed's sunny scenario seemed fairly plausible.

The New York Times

Tyne Daley plays Jake's mother and manages to overcome her salt-of-the-earth persona to play a fairly plausible matron.

The New York Times - Arts

Whether there is a deeper reason for the continued attacks against his house I don't know, though I think a combination of the reasons mentioned above is fairly plausible.

The Guardian

Which sounds like a fairly plausible explanation for why some of the data-sharing arrangements began.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

While for some indirect cost pools, such as housekeeping, a fairly accurate and plausible allocation basis can be found (e.g., square footage), many other indirect costs are much more difficult to allocate in a plausible way.

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

The Push-out Score of 5 reflects that determinations of forced termination and voluntary resignation are fairly evenly plausible.

Harvard University

If one believes that it is also possible to have a sense for relative degree of gravity, then such an anchored ordinal system can prevent clustering near any anchor point, and provide a fairly precise, plausible scale of proportional punishment that could be used in any given jurisdiction (von Hirsch and Ashworth 2005: §9.3).

SEP

She gives plausible but fairly generalised character sketches of my wife and her younger sister; there's nothing that would impress Wiseman.

Independent

One theory — fairly difficult to verify, but plausible based on observation — is that most section-runs are ghosts.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scenario that aligns with existing knowledge or assumptions, using "fairly plausible" can effectively communicate a sense of grounded likelihood, encouraging further consideration without dismissing alternative perspectives.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly plausible" when you actually believe something is highly certain or supported by strong evidence. Overusing this phrase for situations demanding stronger affirmative language could dilute the impact and imply undue doubt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly plausible" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or idea. It serves to qualify the degree of believability or likelihood associated with the modified element. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase often describes scenarios, explanations, or arguments that appear reasonable but lack definitive proof.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly plausible" is a common adjective phrase used to describe something that is believable or likely to a moderate degree. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, it's crucial to avoid overstating certainty and to reserve it for scenarios where a moderate level of believability is intended. Alternatives such as "reasonably believable" or "somewhat credible" can be considered for similar contexts. By understanding its appropriate use and nuances, you can effectively convey a qualified assessment of likelihood or credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonably believable

Emphasizes the believability aspect more directly, suggesting a moderate level of credibility.

somewhat credible

Highlights the credibility aspect, indicating a level of trustworthiness that is not absolute.

quite likely

Shifts the focus to the probability of something occurring, suggesting a good chance of happening.

moderately convincing

Focuses on the persuasive power of an argument or idea, suggesting it is somewhat effective in persuading.

plausibly realistic

Combines plausibility with a sense of realism, suggesting something could realistically occur.

conceivably true

Emphasizes the possibility of truth, suggesting it is within the realm of what is possible.

arguably acceptable

Focuses on the acceptability of something, suggesting it is open to argument but generally agreeable.

decently possible

Suggests a reasonable chance of possibility without strong certainty.

kind of feasible

Indicates that something is practical or achievable to some extent, although not entirely certain.

passably sound

Highlights the logical or rational quality of something, implying it's reasonably well-founded.

FAQs

What does "fairly plausible" mean?

The phrase "fairly plausible" means that something is believable or likely to a moderate extent. It suggests a level of credibility that is more than just possible, but not entirely certain.

How can I use "fairly plausible" in a sentence?

You can use "fairly plausible" to describe a theory, explanation, or scenario that seems believable based on the available evidence. For example: "The detective found the suspect's alibi to be "fairly plausible"."

What are some alternatives to "fairly plausible"?

Alternatives to "fairly plausible" include "reasonably believable", "somewhat credible", or "quite likely". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "plausible" and "fairly plausible"?

Yes, "plausible" suggests something is believable on its own, while "fairly plausible" indicates a moderate level of believability. "Fairly plausible" implies less certainty than simply saying something is "plausible".