hypothetical

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "hypothetical" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is not real but which might be possible in theory. For example, "This is only a hypothetical scenario, but what if we got rid of all the plastic in the world?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In a hypothetical Venn diagram, one circle representing extremist Christians and the other fundamentalist capitalists, the lens-shaped overlap contains Sam Brownback, the newly re-elected governor of Kansas.

The Guardian

A few years ago, the question "can there be a soft dictatorship inside the EU?" would have been dismissed as an abstruse hypothetical for students of law and political theory.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even as polls show the former secretary of state trouncing other Democratic contenders in a hypothetical primary, O'Malley has begun citing differences between him and Clinton on issues such as the minimum wage, social security benefits and a major trade deal brokered by the Obama administration that has irked progressives.

The Guardian

There is a long-running show on Italia 1 called Le lene and, a while back, three of its regulars, Trio Medusa, collared the Rome city official with responsibility for policing the stadium and took him through some hypothetical questions about what would happen if a female tourist was repeatedly struck in the face and the attackers took her camera.

The Guardian - Sport

The government used question time to pressure Labor to pass the carbon tax repeal package while Labor concentrated on picking apart the effect of the Abbott budget on the hypothetical family on $65,000.

The Guardian

"I would like to treat this as a hypothetical question because I don't think we have ever faced that situation," Bratza said.

The Guardian

At the same time, everyone knows which side Sweden would take in a hypothetical war: there has been a long tradition of collaboration in intelligence matters, and its armed forces snuggle as close to Nato as they can; Sweden is represented on more than 150 Nato committees, even if this figure represents only a fraction of Nato's formidable capacity to deploy committees.

The Guardian - Opinion

Let's assume that Charlie, our hypothetical Ivy-bound high school senior, decides he's going to Yale and he's going to borrow to make up the shortfall.

The Guardian - Money

Maybe all is fine at 32 pupils, but what about at 34, or 38, or 42? Which is not a hypothetical example, by the way, but the actual size of my own primary school class in the early 90s (complete with windowsill desks).

The Guardian

But even in places where Labour has an active local party, the advantage is hypothetical before the real campaign gets under way.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is no need to leave that hanging as a hypothetical question, because after the polls closed on Thursday, we rapidly found out.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hypothetical", clearly indicate that you are discussing a scenario that is not factual and might not occur in reality. This helps avoid confusion and ensures your audience understands the speculative nature of your argument.

Common error

Avoid presenting "hypothetical" scenarios as if they are probable or certain. Misrepresenting a "hypothetical" situation can undermine your credibility and mislead your audience. Instead, emphasize the conditional and speculative aspects of the scenario.

Linguistic Context

The word "hypothetical" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are based on assumptions, possibilities, or theories rather than concrete facts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. For example, "a "hypothetical" war" or "a "hypothetical" scenario".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hypothetical" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective that describes scenarios or ideas based on assumptions rather than facts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and suitable for formal and analytical contexts. Its purpose is to explore possibilities and potential outcomes in fields such as news, business, and science. Remember to use "hypothetical" when you want to discuss situations that are not necessarily real but are considered for the sake of analysis or argumentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

theoretical

Focuses more on the conceptual or academic basis.

speculative

Emphasizes the conjectural nature and lack of concrete evidence.

conjectural

Highlights the formation of an opinion or judgment based on incomplete information.

supposed

Indicates something assumed to be true, often without proof.

assumed

Suggests a belief taken for granted.

presumed

Implies acceptance of something as true until proven otherwise.

imaginary

Refers to something that exists only in the imagination.

fictional

Relates to something invented or unreal, especially in literature.

notional

Something that is conceptual or theoretical rather than practical or real.

academic

Something related to education and learning, especially of a higher level.

FAQs

How can I use "hypothetical" in a sentence?

You can use "hypothetical" to describe situations or scenarios that are based on assumptions rather than facts. For example, "Let's consider a "hypothetical situation" where interest rates rise sharply".

What are some alternatives to using the word "hypothetical"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "theoretical", "speculative", or "conjectural" to convey a similar meaning.

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

Yes, "hypothetical" is appropriate for formal writing when discussing potential scenarios, exploring possibilities, or making arguments based on assumptions. It is commonly used in academic, scientific, and professional contexts.

What's the difference between "hypothetical" and "theoretical"?

"Hypothetical" refers to a proposed explanation or scenario that has not been proven, while "theoretical" relates to a set of principles or ideas that explain a phenomenon. A "hypothetical" situation is a specific scenario, whereas a "theoretical" framework is a broader conceptual structure.