MEANING
To propose a possible explanation or prediction that can be investigated.
Use it for
research questions; causal proposals; testable predictionsSeparate an explanatory proposal from the evidence testing it.
Words that belong together
- hypothesize that
- hypothesize a relationship
- hypothesize a mechanism
On the page
We hypothesize that shorter journeys increase regular attendance.
The researchers hypothesized a seasonal mechanism for the observed pattern.
Rather than assume the letters were forged, she hypothesized a later transcription error.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- hypothesize / hypothesizes
- Past tense
- hypothesized
- Past participle
- hypothesized
- Present participle
- hypothesizing
Full tense & aspect guide
- Present
- hypothesize / hypothesizes
- Present continuous
- am/is/are hypothesizing
- Present perfect
- have/has hypothesized
- Present perfect continuous
- have/has been hypothesizing
- Past
- hypothesized
- Past continuous
- was/were hypothesizing
- Past perfect
- had hypothesized
- Past perfect continuous
- had been hypothesizing
- Future
- will hypothesize / hypothesizes
- Future continuous
- will be hypothesizing
- Future perfect
- will have hypothesized
- Future perfect continuous
- will have been hypothesizing
Choose the auxiliary that agrees with your subject. These are constructions of one word, not separate entries.
Usage notes
Primary category: academic. Academic; hypothesize that or hypothesize a relationship. A hypothesis is provisional rather than a demonstrated result. British spelling: hypothesise. Verb inflections [base, third-person singular, past, past participle, -ing]: hypothesize, hypothesizes, hypothesized, hypothesized, hypothesizing. British spelling and inflections: hypothesise, hypothesises, hypothesised, hypothesised, hypothesising. Derived family (not inflections): hypothesis (plural hypotheses), hypothetical.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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