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hypotheses

n. plural-only
B2 Upper Intermediate US //haɪˈpɑθəˌsiz// UK //haɪpˈɒθəsˌiːz// hy·pothe·ses

n. ideas or guesses that explain how something works but have not been proven yet. Scientists test these ideas with experiments to see if they are true.

n. propositions or explanations made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation. The plural form of 'hypothesis'.


SIMPLE

The scientists tested several hypotheses during the experiment.

CONTEXTUAL

After reviewing the initial data, the research team developed three competing hypotheses to explain the sudden drop in water quality.

COMPLEX

While early researchers proposed that the ruins were religious in nature, modern archaeological hypotheses suggest they served primarily as fortified granaries for the surrounding agricultural communities.

Synonyms
Usage

The plural form of 'hypothesis'; follows Greek-root pluralisation patterns where '-is' becomes '-es'.

Pitfall

The hypotheses is interestingThe hypotheses are interestingHypotheses is the plural form and requires a plural verb; the singular form is hypothesis.

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