in theory
Not in practice
In theory marks a claim as logically sound or plausible but untested in practice: In theory, the plan should work.
The phrase often implies skepticism—what follows may not hold up when reality intervenes: In theory we're equals, but in practice she makes all the decisions.
Contrast with in practice.
Not yet established
- untriedNot yet tested
- speculativeBased on conjecture
- conjecturalBased on incomplete evidence
- hypotheticalAssumed but unproven
experimental · unverified · unconfirmed · assumed · supposed · postulated · predicted · modeled
In perfect circumstances
- perfectlyWithout any flaw
- optimallyIn the best manner
- flawlesslyWithout any defects
- utopianImpractically perfect in conception
best-case · on paper · platonic · pristine · textbook · model · benchmark · exemplary
In assumed circumstances
- speculativelyIn a theorizing manner
- supposedlyAs is claimed
- presumablyTaken as likely true
- ideallyIn perfect circumstances
conceptually · notionally · abstractly · assumedly · conjecturally · potentially · ostensibly · nominally
Concerned with fundamental truths
- abstractCondensed version of text
- intellectualConcerning thought and reason
- scholarlyMarked by serious learning
- epistemologicalRelating to knowledge theory
metaphysical · ontological · axiomatic · conceptual · analytical · systematic · paradigmatic · framework
Almost but not quite
- actuallyIn truth, not supposedly
- realityWhat actually exists
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
- applicationFormal request document
execution · implementation · real-world · empirically · concretely · feasibly · workably · operationally
unproven
Not yet established
- untriedNot yet tested
- speculativeBased on conjecture
- conjecturalBased on incomplete evidence
hypothetical · experimental · unverified · unconfirmed · assumed · supposed · postulated · predicted · modeled · projected
ideally
In perfect circumstances
- perfectlyWithout any flaw
- optimallyIn the best manner
- flawlesslyWithout any defects
utopian · best-case · on paper · platonic · pristine · textbook · model · benchmark · exemplary
hypothetically
In assumed circumstances
- speculativelyIn a theorizing manner
- supposedlyAs is claimed
- presumablyTaken as likely true
ideally · conceptually · notionally · abstractly · assumedly · conjecturally · potentially · ostensibly · nominally · putatively
philosophical
Concerned with fundamental truths
- abstractCondensed version of text
- intellectualConcerning thought and reason
- scholarlyMarked by serious learning
epistemological · metaphysical · ontological · axiomatic · conceptual · analytical · systematic · paradigmatic · framework · principles
practically
Almost but not quite
application · execution · implementation · real-world · empirically · concretely · feasibly · workably · operationally
- phrasesnoun phrases, noun phrase, verb phrase, prepositional phrase, prepositional phrases
- Hedging Wordsperhaps, maybe, possibly, arguably, supposedly
- evasionsno comment, dodge, deflection, hedging, equivocation
- Possibilitymaybe, perhaps, possibly, could, might
- conditionalsif, then, if clause, if clauses, else
- on paperblueprint, draft, outline, proposal, plan
in theoryin practice
As things really happen
in reality · in fact · actually · practically · really
in theoryin practice
As things really happen
empirically · demonstrably · proven · as it turns out · in truth
theory, theorem, theories, theoretical, theorize, theoretically, theorizing, theorized, theorems