plausible inference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plausible inference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing conclusions or deductions that are reasonable based on the available evidence or information. Example: "Based on the data collected, the researchers made a plausible inference about the correlation between the two variables."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

He described this work in his book Probabilistic Reasoning in Intelligent Systems: Networks of Plausible Inference (1988).

Encyclopedia Britannica

In his ruling, Federal District Judge Louis L. Stanton in Manhattan said the commission "failed to allege facts giving rise to a plausible inference" that either the Cohns or Mr. Jaffe intended to defraud anyone or had knowingly aided and abetted Mr. Madoff's fraud.

The New York Times

In his ruling, apparently filed late Monday, Federal District Judge Louis L. Stanton said the commission "failed to allege facts giving rise to a plausible inference" that either the Cohns or Mr. Jaffe intended to defraud anyone, or had knowingly aided and abetted Mr. Madoff's fraud.

The New York Times

Typically these deals and buy-backs are announced along with statements of confidence about cost savings, expanded marketing reach and better days to come.One plausible inference of this penchant for borrowing and dealmaking is that America's economy is at last gaining traction.

The Economist

He concluded that the Pitman model "provides the most plausible inference" among the models compared.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Returning to the first question of neurotoxicity, a plausible inference is that the effects described in drug addiction are more reflective of drug-induced changes as opposed to preexisting vulnerability.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

However, in both experiments, validity and plausibility were used as within-subjects factors and we demonstrated that stock-brokers show a decrement in performance with implausible compared to the plausible inferences, whereas the control group was not affected by the conclusions' plausibility.

Plosone

Our reviewer, William T. Vollmann, said this biography "sparkles with shrewdly plausible inferences mortared into a compelling narrative".

The New York Times

But the Mohists also place some intuitively plausible inferences in the "this and not-so" category.

SEP

Whatever belief is, it should be possible for rational agents to make plausible inferences about the beliefs of other agents.

SEP

Second, the approach extends classical inference, based on the likelihood of the data given a null hypothesis about the parameters, to more plausible inferences about the parameters of the model given the data.

NeuroImage

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting a "plausible inference", always provide the supporting evidence or reasoning that makes the conclusion reasonable. This strengthens the argument and makes it more convincing.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "plausible inference" as a definitive fact. It's a reasonable conclusion based on available data, but it's not necessarily the only possible explanation. Acknowledge that alternative explanations may exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plausible inference" functions as a noun phrase, where "plausible" modifies "inference". It describes a conclusion or deduction that is reasonable and likely, given the available evidence. As Ludwig AI shows, it often appears in contexts where uncertainty or incomplete information exists.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plausible inference" is a valuable phrase for expressing a well-reasoned conclusion that is likely but not definitively proven. As Ludwig AI highlighted, it is grammatically correct and best suited for formal contexts such as science, news reporting, and encyclopedic writing. When using this phrase, ensure you provide the supporting evidence for your conclusion, and avoid presenting it as an absolute certainty. Alternatives like "reasonable deduction" or "credible conclusion" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember that a "plausible inference" is a reasoned judgment based on available data, acknowledging the possibility of alternative explanations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonable deduction

Replaces "inference" with "deduction", focusing on the logical aspect of drawing conclusions.

credible conclusion

Substitutes "plausible" with "credible", emphasizing believability.

logical conclusion

Focuses on the logical validity of the inference.

likely explanation

Shifts the focus to providing a probable reason for something.

tenable hypothesis

Replaces "inference" with "hypothesis", suitable for scientific contexts.

valid supposition

Emphasizes the correctness of the assumption.

well-founded assumption

Highlights that the assumption is based on solid grounds.

supportable claim

Focuses on the availability of evidence to back up the claim.

defensible interpretation

Emphasizes the ability to justify the interpretation.

arguable point

Highlights that the point is open to debate and can be argued.

FAQs

What does "plausible inference" mean?

"Plausible inference" refers to a conclusion or deduction that seems reasonable and likely based on the available evidence, but is not necessarily proven.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "plausible inference" in writing?

Use "plausible inference" in formal writing or discussions when you want to present a conclusion that is well-reasoned and supported by evidence, but not definitively proven. It is especially useful in scientific, legal, or analytical contexts.

What are some alternatives to "plausible inference"?

Alternatives to "plausible inference" include "reasonable deduction", "credible conclusion", or "logical conclusion". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does a "plausible inference" differ from a proven fact?

A "plausible inference" is a likely conclusion based on the available evidence, but it is not definitively proven. A proven fact, on the other hand, has been established with certainty through rigorous evidence or experimentation.