superficially plausible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "superficially plausible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that appears to be reasonable or believable at first glance, but may not hold up under deeper scrutiny. Example: "The theory presented in the article is superficially plausible, but lacks substantial evidence to support its claims."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

This assumption, though superficially plausible, is just the reverse of the truth.

The New Yorker

The media are full of scientifically flaky, but superficially plausible, accounts.

Independent

Berks can be trusted to take a complicated issue and deliver a simplistic and superficially plausible answer.

The Guardian

However, the issue of cost and state deficits was successfully leveraged to provide a superficially plausible rationale for the transition to workfare regimes.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The 'tests' may have been superficially plausible at the outset, but they are hopelessly unclear," the report of the cross-party committee concludes.

The Guardian

So it sounds superficially plausible to argue that Spain is over the worst of the crisis – but this ignores some deeper truths.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Because of the high proportion of pits in the sauropod microwear sampled, leaf stripping behavior is considered to be less plausible than ground-level browsing behavior, although it is noted that leaf stripping and ground-level browsing do leave superficially similar traces on incisiform teeth.

Plosone

Jack Straw, Britain's foreign secretary, insisted that a constitution was needed "in order to make enlargement work better".Superficially this sounds plausible.

The Economist

Superficially, yes.

Independent

Superficially quite impressive.

The New York Times

Superficially, they are alike.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "superficially plausible" to introduce an idea or argument that might seem convincing at first, but requires closer scrutiny or may ultimately be flawed. Be ready to explain why it is not entirely sound.

Common error

Don't mistake something being "superficially plausible" for actual truth or validity. Always perform due diligence and verify claims, even if they seem reasonable at first.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "superficially plausible" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. Ludwig AI indicates that it describes something that appears believable initially but might lack substance upon further investigation, aligning with the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "superficially plausible" is a valuable tool for expressing skepticism about something that appears believable initially. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it suggests that further scrutiny is needed. It is frequently used in news and media contexts, as well as scientific discussions, to introduce ideas or arguments that might seem convincing on the surface but ultimately require deeper analysis. When writing, it's crucial to recognize that superficial plausibility doesn't guarantee truth, and further investigation is always necessary. Alternatives like "seemingly believable" or "apparently credible" can be used to achieve a similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Plausible on the surface

Directly relates to the surface-level plausibility.

Seemingly believable

Emphasizes the appearance of believability, similar to "superficially plausible".

Seemingly valid

Emphasizes the appearance of validity.

Apparently credible

Focuses on the outward appearance of credibility.

Appears legitimate

Focuses on the apparent legitimacy of something.

Ostensibly reasonable

Highlights that something is reasonable in appearance only.

On the face of it, reasonable

Indicates something seems reasonable initially.

Outwardly convincing

Highlights the convincing nature from an external perspective.

At first glance, acceptable

Stresses initial acceptability.

Specious

Highlights the deceptive nature of being seemingly true but actually false.

FAQs

How can I use "superficially plausible" in a sentence?

"Superficially plausible" is used to describe something that appears believable or reasonable at first glance, but may not be upon closer examination. For example, "The politician's explanation was "superficially plausible", but the facts didn't support it."

What is an alternative to "superficially plausible"?

Alternatives include "seemingly believable", "apparently credible", or "plausible on the surface". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "superficially plausible" or simply "plausible"?

Using "superficially plausible" indicates that the plausibility is only at a surface level and might not hold up under scrutiny. "Plausible" alone suggests a stronger level of believability.

What's the difference between "superficially plausible" and "misleading"?

"Superficially plausible" describes something that seems reasonable at first glance, while "misleading" implies an intent to deceive. Something "superficially plausible" may be unintentionally flawed, while something misleading is designed to be deceptive.