that seems plausible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that seems plausible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something appears to be reasonable or believable based on the information provided. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, I must say that seems plausible as an explanation for the phenomenon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Instead, he offers the agreeable frisson of the counterintuitive thought that seems plausible as long as you don't think too hard about it.

The Guardian - Opinion

The only solution that seems plausible is by having our political leaders transfer even more responsibility for problem-solving, from matters of welfare to matters of warfare, to Silicon Valley.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is a theory that seems plausible to me, steeped as I am in the history of, working backwards, Brown and Darling, Blair and Brown, Major and Clarke, Thatcher and Major, and Thatcher and Lawson.

Independent

The only way to read a book like this one, packed as it is with gimmicks on every page, is to filter it for advice that seems plausible and might fit how you live.

The New York Times - Books

Perhaps one reason that seems plausible is Orbán's own dramatic political transformation, a full 180-degree turnaround from when he was a firebrand liberal opponent of communism and critic of Moscow, to a man whose economic and political project aligns closely with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

The Guardian

Although in these cases a certain amount of inference in reverse in which one begins with a hypothesis that seems plausible and sees whether the evidence supports it is legitimate and even necessary, some critics, including the American morphologist George Lauder, have contended that the pitfalls of such reasoning have been insufficiently appreciated by evolutionary theorists.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Correlate and reference major assumptions of the DGEN model that seem plausible with findings from experimental studies that validate this plausibility.

F1000Research

But here are six suggestions that seem plausible.

The New Yorker

"The only thing that seemed plausible was beekeeping," she said.

The New York Times

Engineers design for the biggest flood or highest winds that seem plausible at a given time.

The New York Times

But at least one interpretation that seemed plausible during those strange days in London now looks conclusively wrong.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that seems plausible" to express a preliminary assessment of an idea or explanation, indicating it warrants further consideration. It's useful in discussions where you want to acknowledge a point without fully endorsing it.

Common error

Avoid using "that seems plausible" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound hesitant or lacking in conviction. Vary your language by using stronger affirmations or more nuanced expressions of agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that seems plausible" functions as an assessment or evaluation. It expresses an opinion about the likelihood or believability of something. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is used to indicate agreement or acceptance of an idea or explanation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that seems plausible" is a commonly used phrase to express that something appears reasonable or believable. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and versatile enough for both formal and informal contexts, though it appears most frequently in News & Media sources. Related phrases include "that sounds reasonable" and "that appears likely", offering similar but subtly different nuances. When writing, be mindful of overuse and consider using stronger or more varied expressions to convey agreement. Ludwig's analysis underscores the phrase's acceptability and utility in expressing preliminary agreement or acknowledgment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that appears likely

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "plausible" with "likely", suggesting a probability rather than just believability.

that sounds reasonable

Shifts from visual (seems) to auditory (sounds), suggesting the plausibility is based on what is heard or discussed.

that is believable

Focuses directly on the quality of being able to be believed.

that is credible

Emphasizes the trustworthiness and reliability of the information.

that holds water

An idiomatic expression meaning the idea or explanation is logically consistent and sound.

that stands to reason

Indicates the plausibility is based on logical deduction and rational thought.

that is conceivable

Suggests something is possible to imagine or believe, even if not necessarily likely.

that is a valid point

Acknowledges the merit and relevance of an argument or idea.

that is a tenable position

Implies that the stance or argument is defensible and can be maintained.

that rings true

Indicates a sense of authenticity and genuineness.

FAQs

How can I use "that seems plausible" in a sentence?

You can use "that seems plausible" to express that something appears reasonable or believable based on available information. For example: "Given the evidence, "that seems plausible" as an explanation."

What are some alternatives to "that seems plausible"?

Alternatives include "that sounds reasonable", "that appears likely", or "that is believable". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "that seems plausible" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "that seems plausible" when you want to acknowledge an idea as potentially valid without fully committing to it. It suggests a preliminary assessment based on initial impressions.

Is "that seems plausible" a formal or informal expression?

"That seems plausible" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, you might consider alternatives like "that is credible" or "that is a tenable position" to convey a more authoritative tone.