working hypothesis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working hypothesis" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in scientific or academic contexts to refer to a provisional idea or explanation that can be tested through research or experimentation. Example: "Our working hypothesis is that increased sunlight exposure leads to higher plant growth rates."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It means they take it as a working hypothesis.

The New York Times

"Our working hypothesis was that everything was totally sterilized," he told me recently.

The New Yorker

Dr. Major said the working hypothesis was that the eruption yesterday was somehow related to the 1998 events.

The New York Times

The voice of a jock, but I just keep that as a working hypothesis awaiting more evidence.

The Guardian

He says he took the old official story about turning Nazis into democrats and made it his working hypothesis.

The New Yorker

"Here's my working hypothesis.

Forbes

They already have a working hypothesis: cholera.

Science Magazine

We submit a working hypothesis of transient plate subduction.

Earth, Planets and Space

Our second working hypothesis follows from this idea.

Crime Science

The illustration on the right side shows our working hypothesis.

Earth, Planets and Space

Our working hypothesis is that localised corrosion can be described by a Markov chain stochastic process.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Support your "working hypothesis" with preliminary evidence or logical reasoning, even if not conclusive. This adds credibility to your initial proposition.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "working hypothesis" as a definitive conclusion. Doing so undermines the scientific process and can lead to inaccurate interpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working hypothesis" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a preliminary explanation or assumption that is being explored or tested. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "working hypothesis" is a common and grammatically correct term, primarily used in scientific and academic writing to introduce a tentative explanation or assumption that requires further investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across various fields, particularly in science and news media. When using this term, it's essential to clearly indicate its preliminary nature and avoid presenting it as a definitive conclusion. Related phrases, such as "preliminary assumption" or "tentative explanation", can provide alternative ways to express the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary assumption

Emphasizes the initial and tentative nature of the assumption.

initial theory

Highlights the theoretical aspect and its early stage of development.

tentative explanation

Focuses on the explanatory power while underscoring its provisional status.

provisional model

Suggests a simplified representation used for initial understanding.

experimental proposition

Highlights the link to experimentation and testing.

trial conjecture

Emphasizes the speculative nature of the idea.

exploratory thesis

Focuses on the investigatory aspect and its role as a central argument.

starting premise

Highlights the foundational aspect and its use as a basis for reasoning.

initial speculation

Emphasizes the speculative aspect without firm evidence.

interim assessment

Highlights the temporary assessment aspect of the hypothesis.

FAQs

How is a "working hypothesis" used in research?

A "working hypothesis" serves as a starting point for investigation, guiding the design of experiments and the collection of data. It's a tentative explanation that is tested and refined through research.

What are some alternatives to "working hypothesis"?

You can use alternatives like "preliminary assumption", "initial theory", or "tentative explanation" depending on the context.

How does a "working hypothesis" differ from a regular hypothesis?

A "working hypothesis" often implies a more preliminary or exploratory stage than a standard hypothesis. While both are testable, a "working hypothesis" may be less developed or supported by initial data.

When should I use the term "working hypothesis"?

Use "working hypothesis" when you want to emphasize that an explanation is tentative and subject to change based on new evidence or further investigation.