theorize

/ˈθɪəraɪz/ (bre, ipa) · [θˈiɚˌaɪz] /ˈθiːəraɪz/ (ame, ipa) · [θˈiɚˌaɪz] /ˈthē-ə-ˌrīz How to pronounce theorize (audio) ˈthir-ˌīz/ (ame, mw)

theorize — verb

  • theorize,present simple I / you / we / they
  • theorizepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • theorizes,he / she / it
  • theorizeshe / she / it
  • theorized,past simple
  • theorizedpast simple
  • theorizing,-ing form
  • theorizing-ing form

1. to think of or suggest a possible explanation for something, especially when tha

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to think of or suggest a possible explanation for something, especially when that explanation has not yet been proven as a fact

例句

Marine scientists theorize that the first whales evolved from land animals.

theorize + that-clause for suggesting an unproven explanation

After her wallet vanished, Anjali theorized that she had left it on the bus.

同義詞
  • hypothesize

    more specific to science; suggests a testable proposal

  • speculate

    less formal in tone; implies less evidence and more guesswork

  • conjecture

    formal in register; suggests an opinion formed without enough evidence

反義詞
  • prove

    to establish something as true through clear evidence

  • demonstrate

    to show something is true through reasoning or proof

文法句型

theorize + that-clause

theorize + about + noun phrase

theorize + on + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often used with a that-clause to present the content of the theory. Also common in the passive form 'it is theorized that...' in academic and scientific writing.

常見錯誤

❌Scientists theorize the drug works.
✅Scientists theorize that the drug works.
💡When followed by a clause, 'that' is required.
❌She theorized on why the machine stopped.
✅She theorized about why the machine stopped.
💡'Theorize on' is rarely used; 'theorize about' is the standard prepositional pattern.