most plausible scenario

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most plausible scenario" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the most likely or believable situation in a given context or analysis. Example: "After considering all the evidence, the most plausible scenario is that the project will be completed ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

At its closest, Mars is thirty-five million miles from Earth, and, under the most plausible scenario, getting there takes nine months.

The New Yorker

#Egypt government official tells @ABC authorities can no longer dismiss possibility #EgyptCrash caused by bomb: "most plausible scenario" Also this afternoon, an Egyptian government official has reportedly told ABC the possibility the flight was brought down by a bomb is now the "most plausible scenario".

Independent

The third, and perhaps most plausible scenario, involves a new, more viable conservative candidate — a Jeb Bush, say — entering the race after the Florida primary with the backing of a big Super PAC.

The New Yorker

The most plausible scenario is that the growth of sovereign-wealth funds, along with other possibly mercantilist forays by emerging-country governments, will simply waste a lot of capital.

The Economist

"The most plausible scenario I can think of is that he took some pictures of the orphans, and the North Korean authorities considered that an act of anti-North Korean propaganda," he said.

The New York Times

The most plausible scenario is that he will announce his departure on May 2nd, his tenth anniversary as prime minister and on the eve of elections to the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and councils up and down the land.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

There is no consensus on the market's direction, so here are three of the most plausible scenarios, ranging from sad to happy.

The New York Times

With the next primary contest looming in Wisconsin on Tuesday, the two most plausible scenarios for the Republican convention in July are either that Trump is the nominee or that complete and total anarchy ensues – and no one knows which option will be more damaging at the general election in November or to the future of the party.

The Guardian

On most plausible scenarios, that big stockpile will be around $4 trillion by the end of the programme, whether the Fed starts to taper now, or in December.

BBC

We described in length the four most plausible scenarios and have shown that they are indeed highly likely – and some have already began happening in some preliminary versions.

European Journal of Futures Research

The most plausible scenarios are described in length in this paper, along with lessons and insights about the usability of Wikistrat's platform for collaborative thinking and scenario development.

European Journal of Futures Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "most plausible scenario" when you want to emphasize that, after considering multiple possibilities, one specific course of events or explanation appears the most likely or believable.

Common error

Avoid using "most plausible scenario" when the situation is highly uncertain and there's little evidence to support any particular outcome. In such cases, it's better to acknowledge the uncertainty rather than prematurely endorse a scenario.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most plausible scenario" functions as a noun phrase, where 'most plausible' modifies the noun 'scenario'. It serves to identify and emphasize a particular sequence of events or a situation that is considered the most likely or believable among several possibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "most plausible scenario" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the most likely course of events or explanation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's prevalent in both scientific and news contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While versatile, it's best employed when some evidence supports a particular outcome. For alternatives, consider phrases like "most likely outcome" or "most credible explanation", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

likeliest scenario

A more succinct term to describe the scenario with highest probability.

most likely outcome

Focuses on the result rather than the sequence of events.

most credible explanation

Emphasizes believability and reasoning.

most reasonable possibility

Highlights the rationale and feasibility.

most realistic possibility

Stresses practicality and real-world applicability.

most probable course of events

Focuses on the progression and unfolding of the situation.

the strongest theory

In this context, a "theory" is the equivalent of "scenario".

most expected sequence

It expresses that an order of events is foreseeable.

best bet

An informal way to describe the most advisable option.

most anticipated development

This refers to a future unfolding of a certain event.

FAQs

How can I use "most plausible scenario" in a sentence?

You can use "most plausible scenario" to introduce the most likely explanation or course of events after evaluating different possibilities. For instance, "After reviewing the data, the "most plausible scenario" is that the company will expand into new markets".

What is the difference between "most plausible scenario" and "most likely outcome"?

"Most plausible scenario" refers to the series of events that lead to a particular conclusion, while "most likely outcome" focuses solely on the end result without necessarily detailing the steps to get there. The "scenario" implies a narrative, while the "outcome" is simply the anticipated result.

What are some alternatives to "most plausible scenario"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "most likely outcome", "most credible explanation", or "most reasonable possibility".

Is "most plausible scenario" formal or informal language?

"Most plausible scenario" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. It is frequently found in news reports, scientific articles, and business analyses.