speculation is building

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "speculation is building" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where people are increasingly forming theories or guesses about an event or outcome. Example: "As the deadline approaches, speculation is building regarding the company's decision on the merger."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Speculation is building at Westminster about which members might be dropped or moved to a less prominent post.

Independent

As Japan prepares to mark the 70th anniversary of its wartime defeat on Saturday, speculation is building over how, or if, Shinzo Abe, the conservative prime minister, will apologise for his country's wartime atrocities.

The Guardian

Although the Fed decided not to raise interest rates at its meeting earlier this month - citing concern over China – speculation is building that the central bank could approve a rate hike as early as next month.

The Guardian - Business

[C9.] Speculation on Condit Interview With information trickling out ever so slowly in the case of the missing Washington intern Chandra Levy, speculation is building about who might get an interview with Representative Gary A. Condit, the California Democrat who was said by Ms. Levy's relatives to have had an affair with her.

The New York Times

Given his recent email to the troops at Sun Microsystems ahead of the company's takeover by Oracle (a message which urged them to "emotionally resign from Sun"), it's no surprise that speculation is building that Jonathan Schwartz is getting ready to step down from his post.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It is the collapse of growth economics -- reflected in the way food prices are manipulated through speculation -- that is building anger across the developing world.

Huffington Post

Not much is known about the company's plans, but originally the speculation was that Talko is building cloud-based backend services.

TechCrunch

Speculation runs strong here that he is building a political base to run for Parliament, a move that would bring relief to anti-whaling activists.

The New York Times

Even more stunning than the home's features is the fact that Mr. Hirsch, chairman of Elk Homes, is building it on speculation; he doesn't have a buyer yet, although he said he was certain that in Westchester's explosive real estate market, a purchaser would come along sooner rather than later.

The New York Times

Speculation had been building about whether this was the year that he would step firmly into the spotlight.

The New York Times

Speculation has been building that the European Central Bank would ultimately support struggling countries like Spain and Italy by buying bonds issued by those governments.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "speculation is building" to create a sense of anticipation or uncertainty around an event or decision. It's effective when you want to convey that theories and guesses are becoming more prevalent.

Common error

Avoid using "speculation is building" when reporting confirmed facts. The phrase implies uncertainty and conjecture, making it unsuitable for established information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "speculation is building" primarily functions as a descriptive statement, indicating an increase in the amount of conjecture or guesswork surrounding a particular topic or event. Ludwig confirms its valid usage in English, showing examples across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "speculation is building" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, typically employed to describe an increasing level of guesswork or conjecture surrounding an event or topic. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, conveying a sense of anticipation and uncertainty. While the phrase is versatile, it is best used to highlight the growing number of theories and possibilities being considered rather than reporting established facts. Common alternatives include ""rumors are swirling"" and ""anticipation is growing"", depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rumors are swirling

Focuses on the rapid spread of unconfirmed information.

anticipation is growing

Highlights the increasing expectation or excitement surrounding an event.

buzz is generating

Emphasizes the creation of excitement or interest.

interest is mounting

Stresses the increase in attention and curiosity.

theories are emerging

Highlights the appearance and development of different explanations.

talk is intensifying

Focuses on the increasing volume and seriousness of discussions.

gossip is escalating

Emphasizes the rising levels of informal and often unsubstantiated talk.

conjecture is increasing

Highlights the growth in guesswork and uncertain conclusions.

the atmosphere is charged

Indicates a growing sense of tension or excitement.

a narrative is unfolding

Suggests a story or explanation is gradually being revealed.

FAQs

How can I use "speculation is building" in a sentence?

Use "speculation is building" to indicate that theories and guesses are increasingly prevalent about a particular event or outcome. For example: "As the election approaches, "speculation is building" about who will win."

What can I say instead of "speculation is building"?

You can use alternatives like "rumors are swirling", "anticipation is growing", or "buzz is generating" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "speculation is building" in formal writing?

Yes, "speculation is building" can be used in formal writing, particularly in news reports and analytical pieces, to describe the increasing prevalence of theories and guesses. However, ensure the context warrants the implication of uncertainty.

What's the difference between "speculation is building" and "a consensus is forming"?

"Speculation is building" suggests increasing uncertainty and varied theories, while "a consensus is forming" indicates a growing agreement or shared opinion. The former implies conjecture, the latter implies agreement.