merely a conjecture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merely a conjecture" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something is just a guess or hypothesis without strong evidence. Example: "While the theory is interesting, it remains merely a conjecture until further research is conducted."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That the edition of Andronicus played a role in the conversion of Ariston to the philosophy of Aristotle is merely a conjecture.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Unfortunately, at this point I do not have a definite answer to this question, and will merely sketch a conjecture in an informal manner.

Lingua Sinica

That's not just a conjecture on my part.

Huffington Post

Like Fantabulosa! and Eric & Ernie before it, Hattie concludes with actual, real-life family photos of its actual, real-life subject, their yellowing presence implying that, by dint of some magical biodramatic osmosis, the star's very essence has seeped into the film, thus assuring viewers that what we've just witnessed was not merely gossipy conjecture but … what?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Such a conjecture is absolutely unthinkable and impossible," he replied.

The Guardian

This is merely my conjecture, mind you, gleaned from sources so close to Gates that they were sitting in his chair when they said it.

Forbes

How memory works: a conjecture.

BBC

This proves a conjecture by Kohei Yamada.

Linear Algebra and its Applications

This solves a conjecture of Jacobs.

Applied Mathematics Letters

In Section 4, a conjecture is proposed.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Poincaré stressed their importance formulating a conjecture.

Advances in Difference Equations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merely a conjecture" to express uncertainty when presenting an idea that lacks strong supporting evidence. This clarifies that the idea is speculative and invites further investigation or validation.

Common error

Avoid presenting information qualified as "merely a conjecture" as a definitive truth. Always maintain a clear distinction between speculation and established fact to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely a conjecture" functions as a qualifier, indicating that a statement is speculative and lacks solid proof. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses an idea as a guess or hypothesis, highlighting its unconfirmed nature. The examples show its use in academic and journalistic contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "merely a conjecture" is a phrase used to present an idea tentatively, indicating it lacks strong evidence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for expressing uncertainty. While versatile, it is most common in scientific and journalistic contexts, signaling a need for further investigation. Use it to qualify speculative statements, and avoid presenting conjectures as established facts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply a guess

This alternative emphasizes the lack of certainty and supporting evidence.

just a speculation

Focuses on the speculative nature of the statement, highlighting the absence of proof.

purely hypothetical

Highlights that the idea is based on a hypothetical situation.

only an assumption

Emphasizes that the statement is based on an assumption, which may not be correct.

a tentative hypothesis

Indicates that the hypothesis is preliminary and subject to further investigation.

a speculative proposition

Highlights the theoretical and unproven nature of the statement.

nothing more than a theory

This alternative underscores the theoretical basis of the idea.

a shot in the dark

Implies that the guess is made without any real basis or knowledge.

a wild guess

Stresses that the guess is made randomly, without any informed basis.

a baseless surmise

Highlights the lack of any factual foundation for the statement.

FAQs

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

You can use "merely a conjecture" to indicate that an idea is a guess or hypothesis without strong evidence. For example: "While the theory is interesting, it remains "merely a conjecture" until further research is conducted."

What can I say instead of "merely a conjecture"?

You can use alternatives like "simply a guess", "just a speculation", or "purely hypothetical" depending on the context.

Is "merely a conjecture" a formal or informal expression?

"Merely a conjecture" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's often found in more analytical or academic discussions where careful qualification is important.

What is the difference between "merely a conjecture" and "a proven theory"?

"Merely a conjecture" implies a proposition without substantial evidence, while "a proven theory" indicates a well-supported explanation backed by extensive evidence and testing.