not entirely implausible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not entirely implausible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a scenario or idea that is somewhat believable, though not completely convincing. Example: "While the theory may seem far-fetched at first, it is not entirely implausible given the recent findings in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Not entirely implausible plots.

The New York Times - Arts

Although it's not entirely implausible.

The New York Times - Sports

This is not entirely implausible; still, the test has not been approved for women under age 30.

The New York Times

It is not entirely implausible to see this strand of absolutionism appear again from the Trump Administration.

The New Yorker

I'd like to dispel the unlikely but not entirely implausible possibility that I might be paying the single highest tax rate in the country.

The New York Times

It reminds us of the secretive nature of MI5's work, while heightening the suspense of the not entirely implausible plots.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The Federal Trade Commission has never pursued a company for promising orgasms, a spokesperson there told me, although the idea of calling such an ad deceptive isn't entirely implausible.

Vice

And that theory isn't entirely implausible, given the reports of jihadist militants (like Sudanese Janjaweed fighters) crossing into the CAR, and fears the Nigerian al-Qaeda affiliates Boko Haram have a clear corridor to enter the CAR from neighbouring Cameroon.

Vice

And that theory isn't entirely implausible, given the reports of jihadist militants (like Sudanese Janjaweed fighters) crossing into the CAR, and fears that the Nigerian al-Qaeda affiliates Boko Haram have a clear corridor to enter the CAR from neighbouring Cameroon.

Vice

And Dougherty doesn't even bring up baseball's two decades of labor peace, which would have seemed unimaginable after the 1981 and 1994 debacles, and which lie at the heart of Bud Selig's not-entirely-implausible case for being the most underrated commissioner in sports.

The New York Times

Our best hope – and not an entirely implausible one – is that presumptive-nominee Romney has a secret plan for the economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not entirely implausible" when you want to convey that something is believable to some degree, but you're not fully convinced or there's still room for doubt. It's a nuanced way to express partial agreement or possibility.

Common error

Avoid using "not entirely implausible" in contexts where a more direct statement of possibility or partial agreement would be clearer and more impactful. Overuse of double negatives can make your writing sound convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not entirely implausible" functions as a qualifier, softening a statement about possibility or likelihood. It indicates that an idea or scenario is believable to some extent, though not fully convincing. Ludwig shows it is used to introduce a degree of uncertainty or reservation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not entirely implausible" offers a nuanced way to express partial agreement or qualified possibility. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and is usable in written English. With examples from diverse sources, Ludwig illustrates that it's frequently used to convey that an idea or scenario is believable to some extent, though not fully convincing. While simpler alternatives exist, this phrase maintains a delicate balance, making it suitable for various contexts, especially when needing to acknowledge an idea's potential validity without fully endorsing it. The frequency and distribution across different sources suggest that it's most commonly used in news, media and science contexts, making it a valuable tool for clear and expressive communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not wholly unbelievable

Maintains the double negative structure but replaces "implausible" with "unbelievable".

somewhat believable

Replaces the negation and hedging with a more direct statement of partial believability.

partially credible

Substitutes "implausible" with "credible", emphasizing a degree of trustworthiness.

conceivable to some extent

Emphasizes the possibility of conceiving or imagining the scenario.

not completely out of the question

Rephrases the idea using a more idiomatic expression indicating a degree of possibility.

arguably possible

Introduces a sense of debate or argument for the possibility.

within the realm of possibility

Highlights that the idea is possible but does not indicate if it is probable.

slightly probable

Focuses on the probability, stating it is slightly more likely than not.

potentially feasible

Shifts the focus to feasibility, suggesting the idea could be put into practice.

possibly acceptable

Indicates that the idea might be found acceptable or reasonable.

FAQs

How can I use "not entirely implausible" in a sentence?

You can use "not entirely implausible" to describe a scenario or idea that is somewhat believable but not completely convincing. For example, "While the theory may seem far-fetched, it is "not entirely implausible" given the recent findings."

What's a simpler alternative to "not entirely implausible"?

Alternatives include "somewhat believable", "partially credible", or "possibly true". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of certainty you want to express.

Is "not entirely implausible" the same as "plausible"?

No, "not entirely implausible" indicates a lower degree of believability than "plausible". "Plausible" suggests something is likely or reasonable, while "not entirely implausible" suggests it's just within the realm of possibility.

Can I use "not entirely implausible" in formal writing?

Yes, "not entirely implausible" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you want to express a nuanced assessment without fully endorsing an idea. It's commonly found in news articles, academic papers, and professional reports.