one could suppose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one could suppose" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting a possibility or making an assumption about a situation or idea. Example: "Given the evidence presented, one could suppose that the theory holds some merit."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Based on the presence of these symptoms one could suppose that a person has prodromal LB disease, even in the absence of cognitive dysfunction, but given that these are common complaints in older people, they are in themselves likely to be very nonspecific predictors.

Alzheimer's Research and Therapy

More interestingly, the (relative) amount of hapaxes increases by some orders of magnitude with k passing from 12 to 18. Based on this observation coming from computational experiments, one could suppose that by increasing the word size, genomic dictionaries composed of only hapaxes may be computed (which would have been good news for genome reconstruction algorithms [ 16, 17]).

BMC Genomics

One could suppose that an energetic leader emerged from the ranks to take the pack out of the dying city... Perhaps they're still roaming, but I don't know in what direction or in what country".

The Guardian - Opinion

One could suppose the NPs capping agents such as Ac− and TEA from the spectra comparison (Fig. 3a).

Nanoscale Research Letters

One could suppose that using various C5 and C6 carbon sources led to modulations of secreted enzymes by CL847 and TR3002 strains used in our study.

AMB Express

Las Vegas buys more Christmas ornaments than anywhere else, the big retailer says, because, one could suppose, you need a lot of bling to stand out from the Strip's razzle dazzle.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

I suppose one could say appearing on SNL can be beneficial to politicians because it shows they have a sense of humor and can make fun of themselves.

Huffington Post

So, I suppose one could think of mate choice for behavioural compatibility as... dare I say it here?

The Guardian

So, I suppose one could think of mate choice for behavioural compatibility as... dare I say it here?... "luuurve".

The Guardian

I suppose one could say that every story is in some way about wishing.

The New Yorker

I suppose one could say that "Broadway Tonite!" is in the tradition of "Side by Side by Sondheim," "Ain't Misbehavin' " and "Eubie!" but there is a difference.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one could suppose" when presenting a hypothesis or a possible explanation based on available information, acknowledging that it's not a definitive conclusion. It is recommended when the writer wants to sound objective.

Common error

Avoid using "one could suppose" when you have conclusive evidence. This phrase implies uncertainty and should not be used to present a definitive fact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one could suppose" functions as an epistemic modal, expressing a degree of possibility or likelihood. As illustrated by Ludwig's examples, it introduces a hypothesis or a potential explanation without asserting it as a definitive fact. It's a way of making a suggestion based on available information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

43%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "one could suppose" is a useful phrase for suggesting a possibility or making an assumption in a neutral to formal tone. Ludwig's analysis and examples from credible sources confirm its appropriateness in academic, scientific, and journalistic contexts. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, therefore you can be sure about it's usage. Remember to use it when you have evidence to support your suggestion but don't have enough data to be conclusive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it can be assumed

Replaces the modal verb and pronoun for a more passive construction.

it's reasonable to assume

Adds an element of justification to the assumption.

one might infer

Shifts from direct supposition to inference based on evidence.

it is conceivable that

Emphasizes the possibility or likelihood of something.

it's possible to presume

Highlights the potential for presumption, which might lack complete evidence.

we can speculate

Introduces a more tentative and less certain element of conjecture.

it seems plausible

Focuses on the apparent likelihood or believability.

one may surmise

Implies a conclusion reached through intuition or limited information.

it is a fair guess

Indicates a less formal and more casual assumption.

we might conjecture

Similar to speculate, but possibly with a bit more analytical reasoning.

FAQs

How can I use "one could suppose" in a sentence?

The phrase "one could suppose" is used to introduce a plausible explanation or suggestion. For example: "Given the data, "one could suppose" a correlation between the two variables."

What are some alternatives to "one could suppose"?

Alternatives include "it can be assumed", "it is reasonable to assume", or "one might infer", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "one could suppose" formal or informal?

The phrase "one could suppose" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal, suitable for academic, professional, or journalistic writing.

When is it appropriate to use "one could suppose"?

Use "one could suppose" when you want to present a reasoned suggestion or hypothesis that is based on some evidence but not definitively proven. It's appropriate when you're exploring possibilities or offering a potential explanation.