purely hypothetical instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "purely hypothetical instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or example that is not real and is only meant for the sake of argument or illustration. Example: "In a purely hypothetical instance, if we were to assume that time travel were possible, what implications would that have on our understanding of history?"

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then he describes a purely "hypothetical" case: a dog Buster (he has a dog Buster) who was on the way to the vet when he started whining.

The New Yorker

And to change your judgment about a purely hypothetical case would be to change the meaning of your term (Jackson 1998a, 44 46).

SEP

This purely hypothetical example illustrates the possibility that alleles can improve fitness at the expense of health.

Evolutionary Applications

On NBC's "Meet the Press," for instance, Giuliani framed the pardon question as purely hypothetical and politically implausible.

The Washington Post

The example you gave them was purely hypothetical — but they could still learn something from it.

WikiHow

There has been no evidence of cat killing in the case, and the questions may have been purely hypothetical.

The New York Times

In the case of the Maelstrom, the structure is purely hypothetical and the MAEL motif (Glu-His-His-Cys-His-Cys) has yet to show nuclease-like activity.

Biology Direct

The question is purely hypothetical.

The New York Times

Q. Here's a purely hypothetical question.

The New York Times

These stunts were, in some cases, purely hypothetical.

The New Yorker

Such an alarming scenario is not purely hypothetical.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "purely hypothetical instance", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are discussing a scenario that is not based on real events or data, and is used only for illustration or discussion.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "purely hypothetical instance" as if it were a likely or realistic possibility. Always make it clear that the scenario is speculative and not based on factual evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "purely hypothetical instance" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes a specific type of instance, emphasizing its theoretical and non-real nature. Based on Ludwig AI, its intended to introduce unreal or theoretical example.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "purely hypothetical instance" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce scenarios lacking a basis in reality. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its purpose is to facilitate discussion and analysis of theoretical situations. The phrase fits best in neutral to formal contexts. While grammatically sound, it's crucial to ensure the audience understands the speculative nature of the instance. Absence of direct examples in the provided data reflects rare usage, despite being valid and understandable. As a substitute, alternatives like "entirely theoretical scenario" or "completely imagined situation" may be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely theoretical scenario

Emphasizes the theoretical nature of the scenario, highlighting its basis in abstract thought rather than reality.

completely imagined situation

Stresses the creation of the situation in one's mind, underlining its lack of real-world basis.

purely speculative case

Focuses on the speculative aspect, suggesting that the case is based on conjecture and guesswork.

utterly fictitious example

Highlights the fictional quality of the example, emphasizing its unreality and invented nature.

strictly theoretical construct

Emphasizes the theoretical framework or model, highlighting its conceptual and abstract nature.

hypothetical situation only

Directly states that the situation is hypothetical and nothing more.

theoretical situation alone

Similar to the previous phrase, but uses "alone" to emphasize the lack of practical application.

imaginary instance

Focuses on the creation of the instance in one's imagination.

conceptual scenario

Highlights the scenario's nature as a concept or idea.

abstract example

Emphasizes the example's detachment from concrete reality.

FAQs

How can I use "purely hypothetical instance" in a sentence?

You can use "purely hypothetical instance" to introduce a scenario that is not real and serves as an example for discussion. For example: "In a "purely hypothetical instance", if we had unlimited resources, what would be the best approach?"

What's a good alternative to "purely hypothetical instance"?

Alternatives to "purely hypothetical instance" include "entirely theoretical scenario", "completely imagined situation", or "purely speculative case". Choose the alternative that best fits the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "purely hypothetical instance" in formal writing?

Yes, "purely hypothetical instance" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to introduce a scenario that is not based on reality for the purpose of discussion or analysis. The level of formality is similar to alternatives like "strictly theoretical construct".

How does "purely hypothetical instance" differ from "realistic example"?

"Purely hypothetical instance" refers to a scenario that is not based on real events or data, whereas "realistic example" refers to a situation that is likely to occur or has already occurred. Using one when you mean the other will confuse your audience.