putatively

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "putatively" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is believed to be true or accepted without definite knowledge or proof. Example sentence: Putatively, the proposed plan is expected to reduce the company's overhead expenses.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is a lot of pressure then put on this putatively simple, yet obviously complicated thing, and therefore it is hardly surprising that there is a robust medieval debate over the nature of the parts or powers of the soul (see Perler 2015).

SEP

WHILE everyone was watching the fiscal-cliff debacle, Congress and Barack Obama decided that they could still eavesdrop on Americans' putatively private conversations without putting themselves to the trouble of obtaining a warrant.

The Economist

Boghossian, for instance, uses the debate between Galileo and Cardinal Bellarmine as a case study of an encounter between antagonists operating within putatively different epistemic frameworks, who use different frameworks, or as Rorty (1979) put it "grids", for determining what would count as appropriate evidence on planetary movements.

SEP

On these shores, rumours suggest that were Simon Rattle to be thinking about possibly running the London Symphony Orchestra, he would, hypothetically, in an ideal world where everything's putatively perfect, demand, or rather catalyse, the construction of a new concert hall somewhere, somehow, in all probability in the City of London.

The Guardian - Music

Plus, as a thousand TV movies show, translating a putatively inspiring real-life story into narrative film is tricky, treacly terrain, filled with saccharine and false sentiment.

The Guardian - Film

THE debate over the wisdom of further, putatively stimulating deficit spending versus greater budget discipline or fiscal "austerity" is confusing.

The Economist

But it's a strange credo for a reform movement putatively concerned with protecting young people from exploitation.

The Economist

The justification for the killing must be that Mr bin Laden was not only an "enemy combatant", but a dangerous one.The bin Laden kill mission putatively falls under the 2001 congressional Authorization for Use of Military Force against Terrorists (AUMF).

The Economist

He points to the seeming incoherence of their approach to the public finances, in which promises of a tax break for marriage and a higher threshold for inheritance tax jostle with a putatively severe fiscal squeeze.

The Economist

The current Moscow tussle is for control when Vladimir Putin's second and putatively last presidential term expires in 2008.

The Economist

To others, however, they are a long-overdue attempt to gauge a putatively cheap fuel's true external costs.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "putatively" to introduce a statement or claim that is assumed to be true but may require further validation. It adds a layer of scholarly nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "putatively" in everyday conversation or informal writing. It can come across as pretentious or overly formal, diminishing the clarity of your message.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "putatively" primarily functions to qualify a statement, indicating that it is based on an assumption or a claim that has not been definitively proven. As Ludwig AI highlights, it suggests a belief without conclusive evidence. The numerous examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its use in various academic and journalistic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "putatively" is an adverb used to express that something is believed to be true, though not yet proven. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. As indicated by the numerous examples and analyses, it appears most frequently in academic and news contexts. When aiming for clarity and accessibility in informal settings, consider opting for simpler alternatives like "allegedly" or "supposedly". Using "putatively" adds a nuanced, scholarly tone to your writing, signaling a thoughtful consideration of evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Allegedly

Indicates something is claimed to be the case, but not yet proven.

Presumably

Suggests something is likely true based on available evidence, but isn't certain.

Purportedly

Implies something is claimed to be true, often with a hint of skepticism.

Supposedly

Indicates something is generally believed, but may not be accurate.

Apparently

Suggests something is true based on what is perceived or known.

Seemingly

Indicates something appears to be a certain way, but may not actually be.

Ostensibly

Highlights that something is presented as being true, but the reality might be different.

Avowedly

Indicates something is openly and explicitly declared.

Nominally

Suggests something is true in name only, but not necessarily in reality.

Theoretically

Indicates something is true in theory, but may not be practical or proven.

FAQs

How to use "putatively" in a sentence?

Use "putatively" to describe something believed to be true but not definitively proven. For example, "The "putatively successful program" still requires further evaluation."

What can I say instead of "putatively"?

You can use alternatives like "allegedly", "presumably", or "supposedly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "putatively" in formal writing?

Yes, "putatively" is appropriate in formal and academic writing to indicate that a statement is based on assumption rather than concrete proof.

What's the difference between "putatively" and "ostensibly"?

"Putatively" suggests something is believed to be true, while "ostensibly" suggests something appears to be true, often implying the reality is different.