hypothesise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hypothesise" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in academic or scientific contexts when proposing a hypothesis or theory for consideration or testing. Example: "In this study, we hypothesise that increased exercise will lead to improved mental health outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Furthermore, the differences between the two groups increased with age, leading her to hypothesise that knowing and using two languages inhibits the mind's decline.The tests she used rely on a phenomenon known as the Simon effect, in which cognitive clashes cause a person's reaction time to slow down.

The Economist

Mr Pastrana is Colombia's most discredited ex-president for having led the worst government in living memory.Pablo TrujilloRedditch, WorcestershireGame onSIR – In your article about video games, you hypothesise that gaming receives so much flak because of the generation gap and will be taken seriously "when the old are dead" ("Chasing the dream", August 6th).

The Economist

They published their findings in a paper called "Detecting Deceptive Discussions in Conference Calls".Deceptive bosses, it transpires, tend to make more references to general knowledge ("as you know…"), and refer less to shareholder value (perhaps to minimise the risk of a lawsuit, the authors hypothesise).

The Economist

This, some researchers hypothesise, might be encouraged by children inheriting epigenetic patterns appropriate to the diets of their parents but inappropriate to the different, more calorific diets those children are enjoying thanks to the abundance of modern life.The third layer of complexity is one that is only now starting to be explored.

The Economist

More generally, the finding of a "home equity effect" demonstrates empirically that imperfect credit markets affect fertility timing.Since children are both costly and require extra space, the authors hypothesise that increases in property prices will have a "wealth effect" that leads to an increase in fertility rates for existing homeowners.

The Economist

They do not deny the observations that led others to hypothesise dark energy, but they do deny the conclusion.

The Economist

The paper's authors, led by Sarah-Jane Leslie of Princeton university and Andrei Cimpian of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, hypothesise that the crucial variable is something they call field-specific ability (basically, innate talent)—or, rather, a belief in this quality by those already entrenched in a discipline.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Hypothesising on the issue, Pinelli said, was a slippery slope.

The Guardian

"So we're hypothesising".

The Guardian

In many parts of Africa, relationships between older men and younger women are one of the main transmitters of HIV.With that in mind, it has often been hypothesised that if teenage girls were given an alternative income one that might, for instance, allow them to stay on at school they would be less likely to get infected.

The Economist

"If some fat lady slips on a canapé and breaks her hip, she doesn't give a rat's ass that this is her boyfriend's cousin's wedding," hypothesises Robert Nuccio of Wedsure, an insurer.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hypothesise", ensure your hypothesis is testable and falsifiable. This strengthens the scientific rigor of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "hypothesise" when you actually mean to present a well-established theory. A hypothesis is a preliminary explanation, whereas a theory is a well-substantiated explanation acquired through the scientific method and repeatedly tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hypothesise" is as a verb. It is used to express the act of forming a hypothesis or making a tentative assumption based on existing evidence. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hypothesise" is a verb used to propose a tentative explanation. It's grammatically correct and frequently used in academic, scientific, and news contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that "hypothesise" is commonly used to introduce testable explanations in formal writing. When using "hypothesise", it's crucial to ensure that the proposed hypothesis is testable and distinguishable from a well-established theory. Alternatives like "propose a hypothesis", "speculate", or "theorize" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

propose a hypothesis

This alternative is more formal and explicit about the action of creating a hypothesis.

theorize

This alternative emphasizes the development of a theoretical framework.

formulate a theory

This alternative is more focused on developing a structured explanation.

put forward a proposition

This alternative suggests a formal statement or assertion for consideration.

advance an idea

This alternative is less formal and more general, suitable for less technical contexts.

posit a possibility

This alternative involves suggesting something as a possible explanation or fact.

conjecture

This alternative implies making a guess based on incomplete information.

speculate

This alternative suggests thinking or wondering about something without firm evidence.

suggest a reason

This alternative is more direct and implies offering a possible cause or explanation.

assume for the sake of argument

This alternative indicates making an assumption for the purpose of discussion or analysis.

FAQs

How do I use "hypothesise" in a sentence?

Use "hypothesise" to introduce a testable explanation for a phenomenon. For example, "Scientists "hypothesise" that increased carbon dioxide levels contribute to global warming".

What are some alternatives to "hypothesise"?

Alternatives include "propose a hypothesis", "speculate", or "theorize" depending on the context and the level of formality required.

Is "hypothesise" the same as "guess"?

No, "hypothesise" is not the same as "guess". To "hypothesise" involves forming a testable explanation based on some initial evidence, while "guess" implies a random or uninformed estimate.

When is it appropriate to use "hypothesise" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "hypothesise" in academic or scientific writing when you are presenting a preliminary explanation that requires further investigation and testing.