LANGUAGE SUMMARY
A hypothesis is a provisional explanation based on partial evidence. Because a hypothesis is only a temporary explanation, we cannot always be certain that it is correct. Sometimes we will be absolutely sure that the hypothesis is correct (there is plenty of evidence, and nothing seems to contradict it). Sometimes we will be less certain about our hypothesis (there is not enough evidence and a few puzzling facts). When you write hypotheses, therefore, you will have to do two things: (i) say how likely your hypothesis is, and (ii) produce evidence to support your hypothesis. The following tables summarise some ways of expressing likelihood (or unlikelihood) and some ways of linking hypothesis and evidence. 1. Expressing degrees of likelihood You can express likelihood by using a phrase like “it is possible” or a verb like “must” or “may”. The expressions in the first table are more than those in the second table overleaf.
2. Linking words for hypothesis and evidence The evidence can come before the hypothesis, like this:
Or the hypothesis can come before the evidence, like this:
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most likely
least likely
