noun · academic
hypothesis
UK/haɪˈpɒθəsɪs/US/haɪˈpɑːθəsɪs/hy·POTH·e·sis
a tentative explanation or proposition that can be tested by research
Examples
“The hypothesis predicted that students who study in groups would perform better on the test.”
“We formulated a hypothesis and then collected data to see if it held true.”
“In the discussion section you should say whether your hypothesis was supported.”
Band 8 sentence
“On balance, the hypothesis that socioeconomic status affects exam performance is supported by the longitudinal study's data.”
Collocations
- formulate a hypothesis
- test a hypothesis
- reject/accept a hypothesis
- support a hypothesis
Word family
Common mistakes
He proposed many hypothesis about the results.→He proposed many hypotheses about the results.
Hypothesis is supported by the data.→The hypothesis is supported by the data.
Say it for a higher band
5idea→6guess→7+hypothesis
Synonyms
theory
Easily confused
theory
“Her theory about language acquisition draws on decades of research.”
Related words
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In Sublist 7
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