in conjecture

USAGE SUMMARY

"in conjecture" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It means to be in the state of guessing or supposing something. It is often used when discussing theories or ideas without concrete evidence. Example: "In light of recent events, many experts are in conjecture about the future of the economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Forcing medical professionals to relay information based solely in conjecture, critics say, is a dangerous overreach.

The Washington Post

Who was ultimately responsible for the break- ups remains shrouded in conjecture, and since no one else has spoken publicly we only have Alison's take on events, many of which happened when she was a child.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And what they're smart about is mainly how dumb we are, how limited in vision, how narrow in imagination, how resourceless in conjecture, how routinized in our theories of the world, how deadened to possibility.

The New Yorker

(In his foreword, Mowat quotes Edward Gibbon as follows: "I owe it to myself and to historic truth to declare that some circumstances... are founded only in conjecture and analogy").

The New York Times - Books

If Ryan is this discombobulated now, after a game with no bearing on the standings, imagine his reaction if the Jets are 0-4 in September, when questions about his job security would become less rooted in conjecture.

The New York Times - Sports

About the farthest Mr. Mackey and Mr. Pappalardo would go in conjecture was to say that the sawed-off beams seemed to indicate that the hull had deliberately been truncated, most likely to be used as landfill material.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

However, he came to accept Tarski's reformulation of the correspondence theory of truth, and in Conjectures and Refutations (1963) he integrated the concepts of truth and content to frame the metalogical concept of 'truthlikeness' or 'verisimilitude'verisimilitude

SEP

The key assumptions of the IGT have been summarized in conjectures 1 8.

Attention, Perception & Psychophysics

In ethics, conjecture must yield to empiricism: we must consider the actual effects of our behavior.

The New York Times - Magazine

In his conjecture, Riemann suggested a formula to describe where the primes are.

The New York Times - Science

Mr. Kim, the "Na-ggom-su" host, admitted that much of what his program said was "in a conjecture stage".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in conjecture" when you want to express that an idea or conclusion is based on incomplete evidence or speculation, rather than concrete facts. It's suitable for discussing possibilities and theories.

Common error

Avoid presenting information "in conjecture" as if it were a proven fact. Always ensure the context clarifies that the statement is speculative and not based on conclusive evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in conjecture" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a verb or noun to indicate a state of speculation or uncertainty. Ludwig examples show it describing the status of information or reasons behind events. It is used to qualify statements that lack concrete evidence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in conjecture" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate that an idea or conclusion is based on speculation or incomplete evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to qualify statements and convey uncertainty, often found in neutral to formal contexts like news, science and academia. Though not very common, the phrase effectively communicates that something is being discussed without definitive proof. When writing, it's important to avoid presenting statements "in conjecture" as facts and to clarify its speculative nature. Alternatives like "in speculation" or "in theory" offer similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in hypothesis

Implies a more formal and testable proposition, used often in scientific or academic contexts, whereas "in conjecture" is more general.

in speculation

Focuses on the act of theorizing or hypothesizing about something, emphasizing a more general or broader approach than "in conjecture".

in supposition

Highlights the act of assuming something to be true without proof, whereas "in conjecture" suggests a more exploratory and less definite stance.

in theory

Suggests something is true in principle but may not be in practice, differing from "in conjecture" which focuses on speculative reasoning.

in guesswork

Implies a reliance on random guessing or estimation, suggesting a lack of reliable information, while "in conjecture" suggests some degree of informed speculation.

in assumption

Emphasizes taking something for granted, differing from "in conjecture" which focuses on speculative reasoning.

in guess

A more informal term for speculation, implying a less structured or reasoned approach than "in conjecture".

in projection

Refers to estimating future trends or outcomes, implying a predictive element not necessarily present in "in conjecture".

in suspicion

Implies a feeling of doubt or mistrust, suggesting a negative connotation that is absent in "in conjecture".

in prediction

Specifically involves forecasting or foretelling events, offering a more definite expectation than "in conjecture".

FAQs

How can I use "in conjecture" in a sentence?

You can use "in conjecture" to indicate that something is based on speculation or guesswork. For example, "The cause of the anomaly remains "in conjecture", as no definitive evidence has emerged".

What are some alternatives to saying "in conjecture"?

Alternatives include "in speculation", "in guesswork", or "in theory", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "in conjecture" or "in hypothesis"?

"In hypothesis" is more appropriate when referring to a formal, testable proposition, often in a scientific context. "In conjecture" is a more general term for speculative reasoning.

What's the difference between "in conjecture" and "in assumption"?

"In assumption" means taking something for granted without proof, while "in conjecture" refers to forming an opinion or supposition about something based on incomplete information. The former implies a belief, the latter, a reasoned guess.