preliminary hypotheses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preliminary hypotheses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing initial theories or assumptions that are subject to further testing or investigation. Example: "Before conducting the experiment, we formulated several preliminary hypotheses to guide our research."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Security Informatics

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

BMC Physiology

BMJ Open

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

BMC Medical Education

Conflict and Health

ACS Catalysis

CBE Life Sciences Education

Chemistry Central Journal

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Journal of the Neurological Sciences

Agricultural and Food Economics

Plosone

Cancer Management and Research

Environmental Health Perspectives

European Journal of Neuroscience

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

Emerging Infectious Diseases

BMC Gastroenterology

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Preliminary hypotheses are developed, explored and refined in order to develop a comprehensive model which is then presented.

Security Informatics

Perhaps the speculative adaptationist stories are appropriately described as "just so stories"; the question is whether such stories, treated as preliminary hypotheses, are problematic in themselves.

SEP

We also provided some preliminary hypotheses on the mechanisms that connect cell state transitions and cell fate conversions based on results collected from cell cycle, epigenetic regulation, and stemness acquisition.

Protein & Cell

We restrict our examples to the species found in human houses – a subset of the environments constituting the indoor biome – and offer preliminary hypotheses to advance the study of indoor evolution.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

It is consistent with preliminary hypotheses.

BMC Physiology

We developed preliminary hypotheses about the link between internalised stigma, cultural beliefs about mental illness, and help seeking.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Our preliminary hypothesis is that the creatures were green or blue, with long cartilaginous beaks.

The New Yorker

However, this is only a preliminary hypothesis that will require further more detailed study.

Chemistry Central Journal

From this, a preliminary hypothesis was proposed, which was then further developed.

Security Informatics

The paper offers a preliminary hypothesis of how the global system is controlled.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Considering the sequential EMT-MET, the preliminary hypothesis that an optimal mesenchymal may function as intermediate for efficient cell fate conversions might be more reasonable.

Protein & Cell

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "preliminary hypotheses", clearly state that they are subject to further investigation and refinement. Avoid presenting them as definitive conclusions.

Common error

Avoid presenting "preliminary hypotheses" as confirmed facts. Use cautious language and emphasize the need for further research to validate them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary hypotheses" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, introducing initial explanations or assumptions that are open to further investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its common use in academic and scientific writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

80%

Formal & Business

10%

News & Media

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preliminary hypotheses" is a grammatically correct noun phrase widely used in academic and scientific contexts to introduce initial assumptions that require further testing. Ludwig AI indicates its common use in formal writing. It is crucial to present these hypotheses as tentative and avoid overstating their certainty. Alternatives such as "initial assumptions" or "tentative theories" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember that these are starting points for investigation, not definitive conclusions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary speculations

Highlights that the hypotheses are based on limited evidence and are open to revision.

preliminary explanations

Highlights the role of the hypotheses in providing initial understandings of a phenomenon.

initial assumptions

Focuses on the starting point of reasoning, emphasizing the foundational aspect of the hypotheses.

tentative theories

Highlights the provisional nature of the hypotheses, suggesting they are subject to change.

working propositions

Emphasizes the practical use of the hypotheses as a basis for further investigation.

foundational suppositions

Emphasizes the role of hypotheses as the basis or groundwork for further reasoning or experimentation.

exploratory conjectures

Conveys the speculative nature of the hypotheses, indicating they are used for initial exploration.

starting premises

Focuses on the foundational role of the hypotheses in a line of reasoning or investigation.

early stage ideas

Emphasizes the developmental phase of the hypotheses, suggesting they are not yet fully formed.

initial presumptions

Highlights the aspect of assumptions made at the beginning of an investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "preliminary hypotheses" in a sentence?

You can use "preliminary hypotheses" to introduce initial assumptions that guide your research. For example, "We developed several "preliminary hypotheses" to explain the observed phenomenon.".

What are some alternatives to "preliminary hypotheses"?

You can use alternatives like "initial assumptions", "tentative theories", or "working propositions" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "preliminary hypotheses"?

It's appropriate when you are presenting initial explanations or assumptions that need further testing or validation through research and experimentation. Avoid using it when referring to established or confirmed theories.

What's the difference between "preliminary hypotheses" and "confirmed theories"?

"Preliminary hypotheses" are initial explanations that have not yet been thoroughly tested, while "confirmed theories" are explanations supported by substantial evidence and rigorous testing.