it is plausible to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is plausible to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest that something is reasonable or believable given the available evidence. For example, "It is plausible to think that the stock market will continue to increase over the summer months."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is plausible to conclude that Iraq will not give up its weapons of mass destruction unless he goes.

The Economist

It is plausible to argue that the relationship of the twin elites is a political reality.

The Guardian

Islamic extremists, it is plausible to conclude, have been drinking from that same poisoned well.

The New Yorker

It is plausible to think that the country could learn to live with its shrinking population.

The Economist

However it is plausible to assume that present societal understanding of environmental goods and services is fuzzy and lacks articulation.

Ocean & Coastal Management

Thus, it is plausible to identify the major contributing features and use them as representatives of the data.

Neurocomputing

Therefore, it is plausible to avoid costly and extensive numerical modeling (which also would bear many assumptions, simplifications and uncertainties).

Journal of Hydrology

It is plausible to think it gave the Iranians something they didn't know; Senator Kerry certainly thought so.

The New York Times

From the fossils that have been found, there are areas where it is plausible to include feathers.

The Guardian

These results suggest it is plausible to tailor the subunits of assembled structures for obtaining high-performance electrode materials.

Electrochimica Acta

Or at least it is plausible to so maintain.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is plausible to" to introduce claims or suggestions that are supported by some evidence but not definitively proven. This acknowledges the inherent uncertainty while still presenting a reasoned perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "it is plausible to" when stronger evidence warrants a more definitive statement. If the evidence strongly supports a conclusion, opt for phrases like "it is clear that" or "it is evident that" to reflect the higher degree of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is plausible to" functions as an epistemic modal phrase, indicating a degree of possibility or likelihood. According to Ludwig AI, it suggests that something is reasonable or believable, based on existing evidence. Examples show its use in introducing assumptions, hypotheses, and conclusions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

24%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is plausible to" is a versatile phrase used to introduce ideas or claims that are reasonable and worthy of consideration, even if not definitively proven. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, the phrase serves to present suggestions supported by evidence. When using "it is plausible to", avoid overstating plausibility as certainty; instead, consider alternatives such as "it is reasonable to assume" or "it is conceivable to think" for subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is reasonable to assume

Emphasizes logical inference and justification.

it is conceivable to think

Highlights the possibility of imagining or understanding something.

it is believable to suggest

Focuses on the credibility and persuasiveness of a proposition.

it is credible to consider

Underscores the trustworthiness and validity of an idea.

it is imaginable to suppose

Implies that something is within the realm of possibility.

it is sensible to conclude

Indicates that a conclusion is practical and well-reasoned.

it is logical to deduce

Highlights the use of deductive reasoning to arrive at a conclusion.

it is admissible to posit

Suggests that a statement or idea can be accepted as true for the sake of argument.

it is admissible to hypothesize

Suggests that a statement is a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.

it is justifiable to infer

Implies that drawing a conclusion is warranted based on available information.

FAQs

How can I use "it is plausible to" in a sentence?

Use "it is plausible to" to introduce an idea or suggestion that seems reasonable given the available evidence. For instance, "It is plausible to assume that further research will yield more comprehensive data."

What are some alternatives to saying "it is plausible to"?

You can use alternatives like "it is reasonable to assume", "it is conceivable to think", or "it is believable to suggest" depending on the specific context.

Is "it is plausible to think" the same as "it is possible to think"?

While both phrases suggest an idea is conceivable, "it is plausible to think" implies a greater degree of reasonableness or likelihood based on some supporting evidence, whereas "it is possible to think" simply indicates that the idea is not impossible.

Can "it is plausible to" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "it is plausible to" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic or scientific contexts, as it conveys a sense of reasoned possibility without asserting absolute certainty.