theoretically

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'theoretically' is correct and usable in written English.
It basically means that something is true or possible in theory, but not necessarily in practice. It can be used to express doubt or uncertainty about a particular situation, or to suggest that something is possible but not necessarily proven. For example: "Theoretically, if we invested in solar energy, we could reduce our energy costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it might not actually be that I want your knowledge: I want whoever is the best authority on this to help me, and Evernote theoretically knows that, and could figure out who knows the most about the thing that I'm writing and automatically get access to those people's knowledge".

The Guardian - Tech

Public broadcasting in America, such as NPR and PBS, is theoretically paid for by the tax payer but in reality is now funded by both public and private monies.

The Guardian - Opinion

If love is reducible to physical systems, then these systems can, theoretically, be manipulated.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Of the starting XI, only four of them played three days earlier, in what is theoretically your strongest side: the goalkeeper, two full-backs and a defensive midfielder.

The Guardian - Sport

Had Harding sought out the independent directors they could theoretically have blocked him from being sacked – but it is not clear how any editor of the Times or Sunday Times could function without the support of the proprietor.

The Guardian

Indeed, it bends simplistic laws of time and space by swallowing even things that theoretically predate it.

The Guardian - Sport

Theoretically, problematic tweets get automatically flagged, and then manual review should catch them before they are published.

The Guardian - Tech

Related: Real Madrid 7-3 Getafe | La Liga match report There are certainly enough options to make a reasonable argument that United's more glaring issue this summer will not theoretically be replacing De Gea but planning for the other end of the pitch and how to compensate for the fact that all three of their main strikers are, to varying degrees, on the wane.

The Guardian - Sport

"When I went over to say something to him, he sort of said something in their language and I said: 'Speak English because if you're going to say something, understand that theoretically I cannot speak Hindi'," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

For the early part of Pink Floyd's career, Thorgerson and Powell – who traded as Hipgnosis – were theoretically answerable to an EMI staff member called Ron Dunton: as Powell later recalled, "this big, jolly fat man who was in charge of the album cover department".

The Guardian - Music

After three or four jokes - most barbed about fellow politicians, particularly those theoretically closest to him - he would get round to talk about current events.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "theoretically" to introduce ideas that are true in principle but might not hold up in practice. This adds nuance and demonstrates critical thinking.

Common error

Avoid using "theoretically" to make claims that are wildly impractical or unrealistic. Ground your theoretical statements in some degree of plausibility to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "theoretically" functions as a qualifier, modifying verbs or adjectives to indicate that something is true or possible in theory but not necessarily in practice. As confirmed by Ludwig, the term introduces a degree of uncertainty or speculation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "theoretically" is a versatile adverb used to qualify statements and introduce a degree of uncertainty, speculation, or possibility. Ludwig AI affirms that its grammatical function involves acting as a qualifier. It is frequently found in news, business, and scientific contexts, indicating its broad applicability across various registers. When employing "theoretically", ensure that the theoretical possibility has some basis in reality to prevent overstatement, and it is crucial to consider related phrases like "in theory" or "hypothetically" to diversify your writing. Overall, understanding when and how to use "theoretically" can enhance the precision and nuance of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in theory

This alternative provides a more direct and concise way of expressing the same concept.

hypothetically speaking

This alternative highlights the speculative nature of the statement.

on paper

This suggests that something is true according to plans or designs, but not yet in reality.

in principle

This focuses on the conceptual possibility rather than practical feasibility.

assuming that

This alternative introduces an assumption as the basis for a statement.

for the sake of argument

This implies that the statement is being made to explore a possibility, not necessarily a belief.

it is conceivable that

This expresses the possibility of something happening, although it may be unlikely.

potentially

This highlights the inherent possibility of something occurring.

purportedly

This suggests that something is claimed to be true, but the speaker may doubt it.

ostensibly

This indicates that something appears to be true, but there may be a different underlying reality.

FAQs

How can I use "theoretically" in a sentence?

You can use "theoretically" to introduce ideas or possibilities that exist in theory but might not be true or practical in reality. For instance, "theoretically it should work", but we haven't tested it yet.

What are some alternatives to using "theoretically"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "in theory", "hypothetically", or "on paper" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "theoretical" instead of "theoretically"?

"Theoretical" is an adjective, while "theoretically" is an adverb. Use "theoretical" to describe something related to theory (e.g., "theoretical physics") and "theoretically" to modify a verb or adjective (e.g., "theoretically possible").

What's the difference between "theoretically" and "actually"?

"Theoretically" suggests something is true in theory but may not be in practice, while "actually" indicates what is true in reality. They often contrast each other, as in: "Theoretically it works, but actually it doesn't".