ostensibly so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ostensibly so" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something appears to be true or is claimed to be true, but may not necessarily be the case. Example: "He claimed to be an expert in the field, and ostensibly so, given his extensive resume."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

But it was his later non-fiction, ostensibly so unfashionable, that made him fashionable.

The Guardian - Books

He began his musical education at age 11, when his family bought a second-hand upright piano, ostensibly so that George's older sibling, Ira, could learn the instrument.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Is there anything more foreign than a foreign food market, ostensibly so familiar and yet so full of reminders that you're a long way from home?

Independent

A paradox of Mormonism is that a faith with such an embattled history has fostered a community whose members are ostensibly so conventional.

The New Yorker

Today, she's going to take the bus home, ostensibly so that Scott can drive out to the Costco by the airport.

The New Yorker

Tokyo has used a legal loophole in the 1986 ban on commercial whaling that allowed it to continue slaughtering the mammals, ostensibly so it could gather scientific data.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The Power of Presence Symbols are important, which is ostensibly why so many American politicians are in Copenhagen.

The New York Times - Science

Those who did stick around ostensibly did so to revel in a blowout, as rare around these parts for the Jets as steak tartare.

The New York Times - Sports

Hotspot@Home, a $10 add-on to your T-Mobile bill, was ostensibly created so subscribers with poor cell reception could make calls over their home Wi-Fi routers.

The New York Times - Tech

It was faintly disquieting for Scolari's line-up, who ostensibly had so much in their favour, and Salamon Kalou's goal, five minutes from the interval, was celebrated with relief.

The Guardian - Sport

Many others remain locked up.In this section An unlikely band of brothers His biggest smile The dead live longer Little to fear but fear itself Safe and sorry ReprintsIn written messages, Mr Rohani spoke directly to his enemies and ostensibly did so with humility and goodwill.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ostensibly so" when you want to subtly question the real reason behind a stated intention or appearance. It adds a layer of skepticism without being overtly critical.

Common error

Avoid using "ostensibly so" if you intend to express genuine agreement or confirmation. It inherently implies a degree of doubt or reservation about the stated reason or appearance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ostensibly so" is to act as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that something is presented or appears to be true for a particular reason, although there may be underlying doubts or alternative explanations. Ludwig confirms the validity and widespread use of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Ostensibly so" is a phrase used to indicate that something appears to be true for a stated reason, but there might be underlying doubts or alternative explanations. Grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media, it introduces a subtle layer of skepticism. As Ludwig's analysis shows, the phrase is versatile yet should be used with care to avoid misinterpretation. While it suggests a degree of doubt, alternatives like "apparently so" or "seemingly so" can provide similar meaning without the same level of formality. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and prevalence across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apparently so

Indicates something seems to be the case based on available evidence, without necessarily confirming its truth.

seemingly so

Suggests that something appears to be true from a superficial observation.

on the surface

Highlights a contrast between the apparent situation and the underlying reality.

ostensibly, therefore

Adds a causal link to the appearance, implying a consequence based on the ostensible situation.

allegedly so

Indicates that something is claimed to be true but hasn't been proven.

professedly so

Suggests that someone claims something to be true, but it might be insincere.

putatively so

Implies that something is commonly believed to be true, though possibly incorrectly.

purportedly so

Indicates a claim of truth without taking responsibility for its accuracy.

ostensibly for that reason

Specifies that the reason provided is the apparent one, potentially hiding the real motive.

ostensibly to that end

Highlights that the stated goal is the apparent one, possibly masking ulterior motives.

FAQs

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

Use "ostensibly so" to indicate that something appears to be the case, but there's a reason to doubt the stated explanation. For example, "He moved to a new city, "ostensibly so" he could pursue better job opportunities".

What's a simpler way to say "ostensibly so"?

Alternatives include "seemingly so", "apparently so", or on the surface. These options convey a similar meaning without the formality of "ostensibly so".

Is it correct to use "ostensibly so" to confirm something?

No, "ostensibly so" implies a degree of doubt or questioning. It suggests that the stated reason or appearance might not be the full or true explanation. Use it when you want to express skepticism, not confirmation.

What is the difference between "ostensibly so" and "actually so"?

"Ostensibly so" indicates something appears to be the case, while "actually so" confirms that something is, in fact, true. The former suggests potential deception or incomplete information, whereas the latter asserts certainty.