ostensibly linked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ostensibly linked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a connection or relationship that appears to exist but may not be genuine or fully substantiated. Example: "The two incidents are ostensibly linked, but further investigation is needed to confirm any real connection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

All of this is ostensibly linked, as usual at the biennale, under a stupendously fuzzy and pretentious title.

The New York Times - Arts

It is the uniformity of the exams and the skills ostensibly linked to them that appeal to the Core's supporters, like Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Bill and Melinda Gates.

The New York Times

Though it was ostensibly linked to the Syrian National Council, a political body of exiled dissidents, it operated on the ground more like a series of armed Occupy Wall Street groups, built around soldiers who had defected from the Army and found sympathizers at home.

The New Yorker

Although ostensibly linked by plot and characters, the movies relate only tenuously to each other in the traditional sense.

Vice

In particular, adults showed relatively greater VS signal ostensibly linked to incentive cue presentation (anticipation), but adolescents later showed greater activation ostensibly elicited by oculomotor response preparation.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

There is no suggestion that the campaign was involved in the redirections, which also affect a URL ostensibly linking internet users to the New Hampshire Republican party, www.nhgop.com.

The Guardian

Dr. Bruce G. Gellin, executive director of the National Network for Immunization Information at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, said unfounded theories ostensibly linking vaccines to disorders like diabetes were needlessly alarming parents and making some reluctant to vaccinate their children.

The New York Times

Ever since we began buying our food in supermarkets, the food chain that ostensibly links the American eater to the American land has grown steadily longer, more intricate and less legible; by now it is all but invisible to most of us.

The New York Times - Magazine

Little is known, however, about the ostensibly complex relationships linking those elements of culture to climate change risk perceptions, especially in the context of farm level decision in the ground water context.

Journal of Hydrology

Individuals in this group appeared to act in response to auditory hallucinations or delusional beliefs, sometimes pursuing ostensibly goal-directed behavior directly linked to active psychotic symptoms.

BMC Psychiatry

Ostensibly, the two plays are not linked.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ostensibly linked" when you want to suggest a connection that is apparent but might not be real or fully verified. It's useful for introducing an association that requires further scrutiny.

Common error

Avoid using "ostensibly linked" when there is concrete evidence of a direct and strong relationship between two things. This phrase is best suited for situations where the link is tentative or speculative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ostensibly linked" functions as an adverbially modified adjective phrase, describing the nature of a connection. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in indicating a seeming but potentially unconfirmed relationship.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ostensibly linked" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe connections that appear to exist but might not be genuine or fully supported. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using "ostensibly linked", remember that it's best employed to introduce a connection that needs further scrutiny rather than to describe a confirmed relationship. Alternative phrases include "seemingly connected" and "apparently related", offering slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ostensibly related

Very similar in meaning but replaces "linked" with "related".

ostensibly tied

Very similar in meaning but replaces "linked" with "tied".

ostensibly connected

It directly substitutes “linked” with “connected”, preserving the original meaning with a minor alteration.

seemingly connected

Emphasizes the appearance of a connection without confirming its validity.

apparently related

Highlights the surface-level association between two or more things.

superficially linked

Stresses that the connection is only on the surface and not deep or meaningful.

purportedly associated

Suggests that a connection is claimed, but might be doubtful or unproven.

allegedly tied

Indicates the connection is based on an allegation and not necessarily fact.

professedly linked

This suggests that the linking is openly declared, but there may still be doubt about its truth or sincerity.

nominally connected

Implies a connection exists in name only, without real substance.

FAQs

How can I use "ostensibly linked" in a sentence?

You can use "ostensibly linked" to describe a connection that appears to exist but may not be genuine or fully substantiated. For example, "The two events are "ostensibly linked", but further investigation is needed to confirm any real connection."

What are some alternatives to "ostensibly linked"?

Alternatives include "seemingly connected", "apparently related", or "purportedly associated". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey about the connection.

Is "ostensibly linked" formal or informal?

"Ostensibly linked" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, like news reports and academic writing. Its use is generally appropriate in any situation where precise and nuanced language is valued.

What does "ostensibly" mean in the context of "ostensibly linked"?

In "ostensibly linked", "ostensibly" means outwardly appearing or professedly so. It suggests that the connection is presented as factual but may not be entirely accurate or truthful upon closer examination.