plausibly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plausibly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is reasonable or believable within a given context. Example: "The theory was presented plausibly, making it easier for the audience to accept."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

[3 September 2013] There is no scenario under which Indonesia could plausibly object to Tony Abbott's boats turn-around policy.

The Guardian

But, like all wartime propaganda, it is only effective if it plausibly describes reality.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are modish art-house qualities in moderation, a pinch of indie-ness flattering for the Academy's amour propre, and a daring and seductive style that can plausibly showcase both middle-aged sexuality in menopausal revolt and the creamy yearnings of young love.

The Guardian

William Haslam Mills in his 1921 history of the Manchester Guardian very plausibly attributes this account of Mrs Halls's rooks to Jeremiah Garnett, the paper's first printer and publisher, later the editor and co-owner.

The Guardian

In winning its nearly 4m votes, Ukip came second to Labour in 44 seats; that's 44 seats they could plausibly win in 2020.

The Guardian - Opinion

"You cannot plausibly claim to be a champion of international humanitarian law while turning a blind eye to Libya's faults".

The Guardian

She has also argued, less plausibly, that deals such as the TPP could unravel key financial regulations and, on the whole, ruin the American economy.

The Economist

Though some of her 12 British prime ministers were convinced they forged a special bond during weekly audiences with their sovereign, her personal politics remain unknown.Over the years, various aristocrats, cousins and horse-racing grandees have been more or less plausibly identified as her friends.

The Economist

That model is still prevalent today.One shop which can plausibly claim to stand out from the crowd is Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R).

The Economist

The most visionary of them contemplate the routine renewal of the body's organs in a Lincoln's axish sort of way.In theory, only the brain could not plausibly be replaced this way (any replacement would have to replicate the pattern of its nerve cells precisely in order to preserve an individual's memory and personality).

The Economist

And the Fed can plausibly argue that discouraged workers may re-enter the labour market, keeping the lid on wages.But it is a difficult issue.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plausibly" to strengthen an argument by suggesting it's reasonable given the available information. For instance, "He could plausibly claim ignorance of the law."

Common error

Avoid using "plausibly" when the situation is clearly improbable or unrealistic; this weakens your credibility. Ensure the context genuinely supports the plausibility you're asserting.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "plausibly" modifies verbs and adjectives, expressing a degree of likelihood or credibility. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates that something is presented in a believable or reasonable manner. Examples show it qualifying claims, arguments, and possibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plausibly" functions as an adverb that conveys believability or likelihood. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific writing. Its purpose is to strengthen arguments by suggesting they are reasonable. While it's important to avoid overstating plausibility in unrealistic scenarios, using "plausibly" effectively can enhance the credibility of your statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

credibly

Focuses on the believability of the statement.

believably

Emphasizes the capacity to be believed.

feasibly

Highlights the practicality or possibility of something.

conceivably

Indicates that something is within the realm of possibility.

arguably

Suggests that there is a reasonable argument to be made for something.

ostensibly

Implies something appears to be true but might not be.

seemingly

Indicates how something appears based on initial observation.

apparently

Refers to something known or understood based on evidence.

likely

Focuses on the probability of something occurring.

possibly

Suggests a potential but not definite occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "plausibly" in a sentence?

Use "plausibly" to indicate that something is believable or has a good chance of being true. For example, "He "plausibly denied" any involvement in the scandal".

What's the difference between "plausibly" and "possibly"?

"Plausibly" suggests something is believable or likely based on evidence, while "possibly" simply means something could happen, without implying likelihood. "It is "plausibly true"" indicates a reasonable basis for belief; "it is "possibly true"" only states it's not impossible.

What are some alternatives to "plausibly"?

You can use alternatives like "credibly", "believably", or "feasibly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "implausibly"? What does it mean?

Yes, "implausibly" is the antonym of "plausibly" and means in an unbelievable or unlikely manner.