hypothesis in a compound sentence

HYPOTHESIS in a Sentence Examples: 21 Ways to Use Hypothesis

Have you ever wondered what a “hypothesis” is and how it fits into the scientific method? A hypothesis is a proposed explanation or educated guess that can be tested through research and experimentation to determine its validity.

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7 Examples Of Hypothesis Used In a Sentence For Kids

14 sentences with hypothesis examples, how to use hypothesis in sentences.

Hypothesis is an educated guess or prediction that can be tested through observation or experimentation. When incorporating this term into a sentence, it is important to clearly identify it so readers can understand its significance.

Here are some tips on how to use hypothesis effectively in a sentence:

Clearly state your hypothesis in a simple and concise manner. For example, “The scientist’s hypothesis is that plants will grow faster with added sunlight.”

Make sure to refer back to your hypothesis when discussing the results of your experiment. For example, “The data supported our initial hypothesis that exercise leads to improved cardiovascular health.”

By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate hypothesis into your writing to communicate your predictions or expectations clearly and accurately.

In conclusion, sentences with the keyword “hypothesis” often express a proposed explanation or prediction that can be tested through research or observation. These sentences play a crucial role in scientific inquiry by guiding investigations and exploring relationships between variables. For example, “The researchers formulated a hypothesis to predict the effect of sunlight on plant growth” demonstrates how hypotheses are used to frame a study’s objectives and outcomes.

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Understanding a Hypothesis (Definition, Null, and Examples)

You come home exhausted and plop down on the couch. You don’t know why you are feeling so weary. You think about several possible reasons. Is it because you stayed up late last night? Is it because you skipped breakfast? Or is it because you had to take the stairs due to a power outage? Or is it because of all the above reasons?

What you are doing is hypothesizing about why you are feeling tired.

If you enjoy reading detective stories, you would have already come across a hypothesis. A good whodunit mystery confounds the reader with multiple hypotheses about who committed the crime.

• What is a Hypothesis?

The term hypothesis is often used in a scientific context as a possible explanation for an occurrence.

The word originated from ancient Greek and means “putting under” indicating its early association with experimentation.

A hypothesis is:

• An assumption that serves as a starting point for further research
• A supposition made on the basis of insufficient evidence
• A tentative and logical statement that can be tested for its authenticity
• An idea that seeks to explain why a phenomenon takes place
• A prediction about the outcome of a study according to known facts
• A proposal about the possible relationship between two or more variables

A scientist testing a hypothesis is no different from a detective investigating a crime scene. Famous detectives such as Sherlock Holmes combine the evidence with their powers of prediction to identify the criminal from several potential suspects.

The scientist examines each hypothesis rigorously for any inconsistencies through experiments before it can receive the stamp of approval.

Scientists accept a hypothesis as a theory only after it has been validated several times in different conditions. This includes use of scientific methods and protocols involving observation and analysis of results.

A good hypothesis seeks to establish a causal relationship between two or more variables, primarily between the independent and the dependent variable.

Brushing your teeth at least twice in a day reduces the incidence of dental caries.

The independent variable or cause in the above example is the number of times you brush in a day. The dependent variable or effect is the incidence of dental caries or cavities.

A scientist or researcher tests a hypothesis by changing the independent variable and measuring its effect on the dependent variable.

A relationship between a single independent and dependent variable is known as a simple hypothesis.

The mathematical expression of this relationship is:

• where x is the independent variable and Y is the dependent variable and
• where x is the input and Y is the output or a function of x

So, brushing your teeth at least twice daily is an input and the reduction of dental caries is an output or a function of the action of brushing your teeth. 

If there are multiple independent variables or in some cases more than a single dependent variable, the statement is a complex hypothesis.

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and using dental floss reduces the incidence of cavities and periodontitis.

In the above example the two independent variables are brushing teeth and using dental floss. The dependent variables are reduction in cavities and periodontitis or gum infection. In this example the two independent variables are common for the two dependent variables.

The equation of a complex hypothesis can be written as:

Y = f(x 1 +x 2 +x 3 …)

Y 1 = f(z 1 +z 2 +z 3 …)

where z is a different set of independent variables for Y1 as the dependent variable

• Developing a Hypothesis

A hypothesis is a frame of reference or a window through which you observe a phenomenon. The phenomenon is the dependent variable. Your job is to determine the independent variables that are causing the event.

Cultivate the habit of looking for patterns in anything that happens. Train your mind to think in terms of stimulus and reaction or cause and effect.

This will enable you to glean insights from the knowledge you gather. You will then be able to write a strong hypothesis that focuses on the variables that matter over the noise.

The six steps to developing a hypothesis are:

• Ask a question
• Preliminary research
• Formulate the hypothesis
• Refine the hypothesis
• Phrase your hypothesis in three ways
• Write a null hypothesis

Ask a Question

The first step is to write a research question.

To write an effective research question be as curious as possible. Start with asking yourself a ton of questions.

Begin with broad and open-ended questions before narrowing it down to more specific ones.

You can use the 5W1H method to get into the mode of writing a research question.

• What took place?
• When did it happen?
• Where did it occur?
• Why did it take place?
• Who did it affect ?
• How did it happen?

The research question needs to be clear, objective , well-defined and measurable.

Do people who take health supplements log in fewer sick days at work in a year than those who don’t?

After you have framed the right question you can make an educated guess to answer it. This answer will be your preliminary hypothesis. Your hypothesis will attempt to answer the research question with observable facts through various experiments.

Preliminary Research

You don’t have to start from scratch. You can draw from preexisting knowledge and well-established theories to discount fallacious premises at the outset.

Resources that you can refer to include case studies, research papers and theses published in academic or scientific journals. A thorough background research will help you to look at the research question from several angles.

Do keep an open mind or a blank slate to avoid falling in the trap of preconceived notions and prejudices. Your initial research should help you focus on the areas where you are most likely to find the answers.

You can come up with a blueprint or outline highlighting the variables that you think are most relevant to your research question.

Think how changing the attributes of a single variable potentially affects others. You may need to operationalize or define how you are going to measure the variables and their effects.

Formulate the Hypothesis

It’s time now to put together your hypothesis into words.

A sound hypothesis states:

• Who or what is being studied?
• The relationship between the variables
• A measurable and reproducible outcome
• The possibility to prove it as true or false

Teenagers in the 14-16 age group who eat a high-protein diet are taller by two inches than the average height for that age group.

The next step is to ensure your statement ticks all the boxes for a strong hypothesis.

Is the hypothesis:

• Precise and quantifiable without any ambiguity
• Lucid and focused on the results described in the research question

Does the hypothesis include:

• An independent and dependent variable
• Variables that can be changed or controlled
• Terms that even a layman can understand
• A well-defined outcome

Phrase your Hypothesis in Three Ways

A hypothesis is often written in an If-then format. This format describes the cause and effect relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable.

Phrase your hypothesis as “If {you make changes to an independent variable} then {you will observe this change in the dependent variable}.”

If employees are given more autonomy to take work-related decisions then their overall performance improves.

Another way to write a hypothesis is by directly stating the outcome between the two variables.

More autonomy in terms of taking work-related decisions helps to improve an employee’s overall performance.

You can also state a hypothesis as a comparison between two groups.

Employees who are offered more autonomy to take work-related decisions show better overall performance than those who work in a micro-managed environment.

Write a Null Hypothesis

The next step is to frame a null hypothesis, especially if your study requires you to analyze the data statistically. A null hypothesis by default takes a converse position to the researcher’s hypothesis.

Your statement is known as the alternative hypothesis while its opposite outcome is referred to as the null hypothesis.

If you expect a change according to a relationship between the variables the null hypothesis denies the possibility of any change or association between the variables. If you expect the conditions to remain constant the null hypothesis states that change will take place.

The null hypothesis is referred to as H 0. Your hypothesis which is the alternative is written as H 1 or H a .

H 1 : A player who is more than two meters tall has a better chance of winning the National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Award.

H 0 : The height of a player does not affect his prospects of winning the National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Award.

Hypothesis Examples

Examples of research questions.

• Which loop diuretic drug is more effective for treating heart failure?
• Does attending online learning sessions help students to improve their exam scores?
• Does talking on the phone while driving cause more accidents?
• Does increasing the pressure affect the rate of reaction between gases?
• Is a person more likely to be obese if she or he eats unhealthy foods at least four times in a week?

Examples of a Hypothesis

• The clinical trial of the new drug Furosemide proved that it is better at treating heart failure than other loop diuretic drugs such as Bumetanide.
• The students who attended online learning sessions had better exam scores than those who skipped the sessions.
• Drivers who talk on the phone are likely to have an accident than those who don’t.
• Increasing the pressure affects the concentration of gases and it acts as a catalyst in speeding up the rate of reaction.
• People who eat processed foods frequently are more likely to be obese than people who limit their intake of such foods.

Examples of a Null Hypothesis

• The clinical trial proved that there is no difference between the effectiveness of Furosemide and other loop diuretic drugs, such as Bumetanide, for treating heart failure.
• There is no difference in the exam scores of students who attended online learning sessions and those who did not attend.
• There is no difference in the rate of accidents experienced by drivers who talk on the phone compared with those who don’t talk on the phone while driving.
• The elevation of pressure has no effect on the rate of reaction between gases.
• The food consumed and its frequency of consumption do not affect the probability of a person becoming obese.

What are Null Hypotheses?

The null hypothesis states the opposite outcome to the researcher’s hypothesis.

In most cases, the null hypothesis’s default position is a prediction that no relationship exists between any two or more variables. The null hypothesis denies the possibility of a causal relationship existing between an assumed independent and dependent variable.

The symbol of the null hypothesis is H 0 .

The notion of a null hypothesis fulfills the requirement of the falsifiability of a hypothesis before it can be accepted as valid.

A null hypothesis is often written as a negative statement that posits that the original hypothesis is false. It either claims that the results obtained are due to chance or there is no evidence to prove any change.

Original Hypothesis: Use of nitrogen fertilizers helps plants grow faster as compared to use of phosphorus or potassium fertilizers. 

Null Hypothesis (H 0 ): The fertilizer used has no bearing on the rate of plant growth

What are Alternative Hypotheses?

An alternative hypothesis states the researcher’s supposition of a causal relationship between any two or more variables. Alternative hypotheses are based upon an observable effect and seek to predict how changing an independent variable will affect the dependent variable.

An alternative hypothesis is symbolized as H 1 or H a . It’s often written together with a null hypothesis with the two statements existing as a dual pair of opposite assumptions. Only a single statement among two can be true.

Alternative hypotheses try to determine that the results are obtained due to significant changes related to the variables and not due to chance.

Research Question: Does washing hands thoroughly with soap before eating a meal reduce the rate of recurrence of respiratory ailments?

Alternative Hypothesis (H 1 ): Washing hands with soap before eating reduces the rate of recurrence of respiratory ailments by 30% compared with those who neglect hand hygiene.

Null Hypothesis (H 0 ): Washing hands with soap before eating has no effect on the rate of recurrence of respiratory ailments. 

What is Hypothesis Testing?

After you have formulated a hypothesis, you need to choose a research and testing method.

Use a descriptive approach when experiments are difficult to conduct. A descriptive method incorporates case studies and surveys to collect data.

You can employ statistical tools such as a correlational study to measure the relationship between variables.

A correlational study calculates the probability of whether a linkage between two variables can be determined or do the changes occur purely due to chance. Do note that correlation is not equivalent to causality.

This method lets you arrive at a conclusion by generalizing the data obtained without performing any actual experiments. A hypothesis proved using this approach is known as a statistical hypothesis.

The other approach is the experimental method in which causal relationships are established between different variables through demonstrations. A working or empirical hypothesis often makes use of the experimental method to determine the relationships between the variables.

The steps for testing a hypothesis experimentally are:

• Design of experiments
• Collating data
• Analysis of observable facts
• Summarizing the conclusions
• Validating the hypothesis as a theory

How to Write a Good Hypothesis

To find ideas for a hypothesis, you can look through discussion sections in academic and scientific journals or browse online publications. You will come across questions that can be investigated further.

Simple Steps

The steps to write a strong hypothesis are:

• Choose your frame of reference or direction for determining the cause
• Such an approach is known as a directional hypothesis
• If you are unable to determine a starting point or the current theories are ambiguous and contradictory, you can choose a non-directional approach
• This method involves stating the facts and observations randomly and then seeking to find a pattern
• Identify the key variables
• A variable is any attribute that can have measurable values such as temperature, time, or length
• Tentatively label some variables as independent and some as dependent
• State the relationship between the variables using clear and objective language
• Operationalize or define how you will measure the variables for testability
• Write the statement in the If-then format. You can also write it as a declarative sentence
• Avoid jargon and use simple words that can be understood by a layman
• Write a null hypothesis to satisfy the condition of falsifiability

If you watch television for more than three hours a day, then your ability to concentrate diminishes.

How to Write a Scientific Hypothesis

A good scientific hypothesis is:

• Consistent: Use preexisting knowledge as a springboard for further research
• Testable: Include words that are quantifiable or measurable
• Concise: Cut down on verbose phrases and use precise words
• Scalable: Formulate the statement in a universal context based on the variables
• Promising: State unexplained occurrences as loose ends that can be investigated further

Simple steps

• Record your observations and facts about the topic
• Evaluate your statements for possible links to determine the cause and effect
• Document all potential explanations to analyze further
• Write the null hypothesis along with your own hypothesis
• This satisfies the requisite condition for a valid hypothesis. It can either be confirmed or disproved

If you plant cotton in black soil, then the production is boosted by 20% as compared to the output from red soil.

How to write a Psychology Hypothesis

A psychology hypothesis often begins with how the environment or certain parameters within it influence or cause a specific behavior.

To write a sound psychology hypothesis:

• Choose a topic that you are genuinely interested in
• Do not ramble. Keep it short and simple
• Use previous research and your own study to direct your vision
• Ascertain and define the variables
• You can write the hypothesis either as an If-then statement
• Other alternatives are to write the hypothesis as a direct sentence or a comparative supposition

Use the following questions to guide your understanding of the topic.

• Is your hypothesis based on a preexisting theory or your own research? 
• Can your hypothesis be tested for falsifiability?
• What are the independent and dependent variables?

People who exercise regularly are less at risk from depression than people who lead a sedentary life.

• What is and How to Write a Good Hypothesis in Research?
• How to Write a Hypothesis in 6 Steps
• Developing Hypothesis and Research Questions
• Forming a Good Hypothesis for Scientific Research
• 6 Hypothesis Examples in Psychology
• Correlational Research | When & How to Use
• How to Write a Strong Hypothesis in 6 Simple Steps
• How to Develop a Good Research Hypothesis
• How To Develop a Hypothesis (With Elements, Types and Examples)
• Definition of Hypothesis

Inside this article

Fact checked: Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. Learn more.

About the author

Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.

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Methodology

• How to Write a Strong Hypothesis | Steps & Examples

How to Write a Strong Hypothesis | Steps & Examples

Published on May 6, 2022 by Shona McCombes . Revised on November 20, 2023.

A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested by scientific research. If you want to test a relationship between two or more variables, you need to write hypotheses before you start your experiment or data collection .

Example: Hypothesis

Daily apple consumption leads to fewer doctor’s visits.

Table of contents

What is a hypothesis, developing a hypothesis (with example), hypothesis examples, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about writing hypotheses.

A hypothesis states your predictions about what your research will find. It is a tentative answer to your research question that has not yet been tested. For some research projects, you might have to write several hypotheses that address different aspects of your research question.

A hypothesis is not just a guess – it should be based on existing theories and knowledge. It also has to be testable, which means you can support or refute it through scientific research methods (such as experiments, observations and statistical analysis of data).

Variables in hypotheses

Hypotheses propose a relationship between two or more types of variables .

• An independent variable is something the researcher changes or controls.
• A dependent variable is something the researcher observes and measures.

If there are any control variables , extraneous variables , or confounding variables , be sure to jot those down as you go to minimize the chances that research bias  will affect your results.

In this example, the independent variable is exposure to the sun – the assumed cause . The dependent variable is the level of happiness – the assumed effect .

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Step 1. Ask a question

Writing a hypothesis begins with a research question that you want to answer. The question should be focused, specific, and researchable within the constraints of your project.

Step 2. Do some preliminary research

Your initial answer to the question should be based on what is already known about the topic. Look for theories and previous studies to help you form educated assumptions about what your research will find.

At this stage, you might construct a conceptual framework to ensure that you’re embarking on a relevant topic . This can also help you identify which variables you will study and what you think the relationships are between them. Sometimes, you’ll have to operationalize more complex constructs.

Step 3. Formulate your hypothesis

Now you should have some idea of what you expect to find. Write your initial answer to the question in a clear, concise sentence.

4. Refine your hypothesis

You need to make sure your hypothesis is specific and testable. There are various ways of phrasing a hypothesis, but all the terms you use should have clear definitions, and the hypothesis should contain:

• The relevant variables
• The specific group being studied
• The predicted outcome of the experiment or analysis

5. Phrase your hypothesis in three ways

To identify the variables, you can write a simple prediction in  if…then form. The first part of the sentence states the independent variable and the second part states the dependent variable.

In academic research, hypotheses are more commonly phrased in terms of correlations or effects, where you directly state the predicted relationship between variables.

If you are comparing two groups, the hypothesis can state what difference you expect to find between them.

6. Write a null hypothesis

If your research involves statistical hypothesis testing , you will also have to write a null hypothesis . The null hypothesis is the default position that there is no association between the variables. The null hypothesis is written as H 0 , while the alternative hypothesis is H 1 or H a .

• H 0 : The number of lectures attended by first-year students has no effect on their final exam scores.
• H 1 : The number of lectures attended by first-year students has a positive effect on their final exam scores.

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

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A hypothesis is not just a guess — it should be based on existing theories and knowledge. It also has to be testable, which means you can support or refute it through scientific research methods (such as experiments, observations and statistical analysis of data).

Null and alternative hypotheses are used in statistical hypothesis testing . The null hypothesis of a test always predicts no effect or no relationship between variables, while the alternative hypothesis states your research prediction of an effect or relationship.

Hypothesis testing is a formal procedure for investigating our ideas about the world using statistics. It is used by scientists to test specific predictions, called hypotheses , by calculating how likely it is that a pattern or relationship between variables could have arisen by chance.

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What Is a Hypothesis and How Do I Write One?

General Education

Think about something strange and unexplainable in your life. Maybe you get a headache right before it rains, or maybe you think your favorite sports team wins when you wear a certain color. If you wanted to see whether these are just coincidences or scientific fact, you would form a hypothesis, then create an experiment to see whether that hypothesis is true or not.

But what is a hypothesis, anyway? If you’re not sure about what a hypothesis is--or how to test for one!--you’re in the right place. This article will teach you everything you need to know about hypotheses, including: 

• Defining the term “hypothesis” 
• Providing hypothesis examples 
• Giving you tips for how to write your own hypothesis

So let’s get started!

What Is a Hypothesis?

Merriam Webster defines a hypothesis as “an assumption or concession made for the sake of argument.” In other words, a hypothesis is an educated guess . Scientists make a reasonable assumption--or a hypothesis--then design an experiment to test whether it’s true or not. Keep in mind that in science, a hypothesis should be testable. You have to be able to design an experiment that tests your hypothesis in order for it to be valid. 

As you could assume from that statement, it’s easy to make a bad hypothesis. But when you’re holding an experiment, it’s even more important that your guesses be good...after all, you’re spending time (and maybe money!) to figure out more about your observation. That’s why we refer to a hypothesis as an educated guess--good hypotheses are based on existing data and research to make them as sound as possible.

Hypotheses are one part of what’s called the scientific method .  Every (good) experiment or study is based in the scientific method. The scientific method gives order and structure to experiments and ensures that interference from scientists or outside influences does not skew the results. It’s important that you understand the concepts of the scientific method before holding your own experiment. Though it may vary among scientists, the scientific method is generally made up of six steps (in order):

• Observation
• Asking questions
• Forming a hypothesis
• Analyze the data
• Communicate your results

You’ll notice that the hypothesis comes pretty early on when conducting an experiment. That’s because experiments work best when they’re trying to answer one specific question. And you can’t conduct an experiment until you know what you’re trying to prove!

Independent and Dependent Variables 

After doing your research, you’re ready for another important step in forming your hypothesis: identifying variables. Variables are basically any factor that could influence the outcome of your experiment . Variables have to be measurable and related to the topic being studied.

There are two types of variables:  independent variables and dependent variables. I ndependent variables remain constant . For example, age is an independent variable; it will stay the same, and researchers can look at different ages to see if it has an effect on the dependent variable. 

Speaking of dependent variables... dependent variables are subject to the influence of the independent variable , meaning that they are not constant. Let’s say you want to test whether a person’s age affects how much sleep they need. In that case, the independent variable is age (like we mentioned above), and the dependent variable is how much sleep a person gets. 

Variables will be crucial in writing your hypothesis. You need to be able to identify which variable is which, as both the independent and dependent variables will be written into your hypothesis. For instance, in a study about exercise, the independent variable might be the speed at which the respondents walk for thirty minutes, and the dependent variable would be their heart rate. In your study and in your hypothesis, you’re trying to understand the relationship between the two variables.

Elements of a Good Hypothesis

The best hypotheses start by asking the right questions . For instance, if you’ve observed that the grass is greener when it rains twice a week, you could ask what kind of grass it is, what elevation it’s at, and if the grass across the street responds to rain in the same way. Any of these questions could become the backbone of experiments to test why the grass gets greener when it rains fairly frequently.

As you’re asking more questions about your first observation, make sure you’re also making more observations . If it doesn’t rain for two weeks and the grass still looks green, that’s an important observation that could influence your hypothesis. You'll continue observing all throughout your experiment, but until the hypothesis is finalized, every observation should be noted.

Finally, you should consult secondary research before writing your hypothesis . Secondary research is comprised of results found and published by other people. You can usually find this information online or at your library. Additionally, m ake sure the research you find is credible and related to your topic. If you’re studying the correlation between rain and grass growth, it would help you to research rain patterns over the past twenty years for your county, published by a local agricultural association. You should also research the types of grass common in your area, the type of grass in your lawn, and whether anyone else has conducted experiments about your hypothesis. Also be sure you’re checking the quality of your research . Research done by a middle school student about what minerals can be found in rainwater would be less useful than an article published by a local university.

Writing Your Hypothesis

Once you’ve considered all of the factors above, you’re ready to start writing your hypothesis. Hypotheses usually take a certain form when they’re written out in a research report.

When you boil down your hypothesis statement, you are writing down your best guess and not the question at hand . This means that your statement should be written as if it is fact already, even though you are simply testing it.

The reason for this is that, after you have completed your study, you'll either accept or reject your if-then or your null hypothesis. All hypothesis testing examples should be measurable and able to be confirmed or denied. You cannot confirm a question, only a statement! 

In fact, you come up with hypothesis examples all the time! For instance, when you guess on the outcome of a basketball game, you don’t say, “Will the Miami Heat beat the Boston Celtics?” but instead, “I think the Miami Heat will beat the Boston Celtics.” You state it as if it is already true, even if it turns out you’re wrong. You do the same thing when writing your hypothesis.

Additionally, keep in mind that hypotheses can range from very specific to very broad.  These hypotheses can be specific, but if your hypothesis testing examples involve a broad range of causes and effects, your hypothesis can also be broad.  

The Two Types of Hypotheses

Now that you understand what goes into a hypothesis, it’s time to look more closely at the two most common types of hypothesis: the if-then hypothesis and the null hypothesis.

#1: If-Then Hypotheses

First of all, if-then hypotheses typically follow this formula:

If ____ happens, then ____ will happen.

The goal of this type of hypothesis is to test the causal relationship between the independent and dependent variable. It’s fairly simple, and each hypothesis can vary in how detailed it can be. We create if-then hypotheses all the time with our daily predictions. Here are some examples of hypotheses that use an if-then structure from daily life: 

• If I get enough sleep, I’ll be able to get more work done tomorrow.
• If the bus is on time, I can make it to my friend’s birthday party. 
• If I study every night this week, I’ll get a better grade on my exam. 

In each of these situations, you’re making a guess on how an independent variable (sleep, time, or studying) will affect a dependent variable (the amount of work you can do, making it to a party on time, or getting better grades). 

You may still be asking, “What is an example of a hypothesis used in scientific research?” Take one of the hypothesis examples from a real-world study on whether using technology before bed affects children’s sleep patterns. The hypothesis read s:

“We hypothesized that increased hours of tablet- and phone-based screen time at bedtime would be inversely correlated with sleep quality and child attention.”

It might not look like it, but this is an if-then statement. The researchers basically said, “If children have more screen usage at bedtime, then their quality of sleep and attention will be worse.” The sleep quality and attention are the dependent variables and the screen usage is the independent variable. (Usually, the independent variable comes after the “if” and the dependent variable comes after the “then,” as it is the independent variable that affects the dependent variable.) This is an excellent example of how flexible hypothesis statements can be, as long as the general idea of “if-then” and the independent and dependent variables are present.

#2: Null Hypotheses

Your if-then hypothesis is not the only one needed to complete a successful experiment, however. You also need a null hypothesis to test it against. In its most basic form, the null hypothesis is the opposite of your if-then hypothesis . When you write your null hypothesis, you are writing a hypothesis that suggests that your guess is not true, and that the independent and dependent variables have no relationship .

One null hypothesis for the cell phone and sleep study from the last section might say: 

“If children have more screen usage at bedtime, their quality of sleep and attention will not be worse.” 

In this case, this is a null hypothesis because it’s asking the opposite of the original thesis! 

Conversely, if your if-then hypothesis suggests that your two variables have no relationship, then your null hypothesis would suggest that there is one. So, pretend that there is a study that is asking the question, “Does the amount of followers on Instagram influence how long people spend on the app?” The independent variable is the amount of followers, and the dependent variable is the time spent. But if you, as the researcher, don’t think there is a relationship between the number of followers and time spent, you might write an if-then hypothesis that reads:

“If people have many followers on Instagram, they will not spend more time on the app than people who have less.”

In this case, the if-then suggests there isn’t a relationship between the variables. In that case, one of the null hypothesis examples might say:

“If people have many followers on Instagram, they will spend more time on the app than people who have less.”

You then test both the if-then and the null hypothesis to gauge if there is a relationship between the variables, and if so, how much of a relationship. 

4 Tips to Write the Best Hypothesis

If you’re going to take the time to hold an experiment, whether in school or by yourself, you’re also going to want to take the time to make sure your hypothesis is a good one. The best hypotheses have four major elements in common: plausibility, defined concepts, observability, and general explanation.

#1: Plausibility

At first glance, this quality of a hypothesis might seem obvious. When your hypothesis is plausible, that means it’s possible given what we know about science and general common sense. However, improbable hypotheses are more common than you might think. 

Imagine you’re studying weight gain and television watching habits. If you hypothesize that people who watch more than  twenty hours of television a week will gain two hundred pounds or more over the course of a year, this might be improbable (though it’s potentially possible). Consequently, c ommon sense can tell us the results of the study before the study even begins.

Improbable hypotheses generally go against  science, as well. Take this hypothesis example: 

“If a person smokes one cigarette a day, then they will have lungs just as healthy as the average person’s.” 

This hypothesis is obviously untrue, as studies have shown again and again that cigarettes negatively affect lung health. You must be careful that your hypotheses do not reflect your own personal opinion more than they do scientifically-supported findings. This plausibility points to the necessity of research before the hypothesis is written to make sure that your hypothesis has not already been disproven.

#2: Defined Concepts

The more advanced you are in your studies, the more likely that the terms you’re using in your hypothesis are specific to a limited set of knowledge. One of the hypothesis testing examples might include the readability of printed text in newspapers, where you might use words like “kerning” and “x-height.” Unless your readers have a background in graphic design, it’s likely that they won’t know what you mean by these terms. Thus, it’s important to either write what they mean in the hypothesis itself or in the report before the hypothesis.

Here’s what we mean. Which of the following sentences makes more sense to the common person?

If the kerning is greater than average, more words will be read per minute.

If the space between letters is greater than average, more words will be read per minute.

For people reading your report that are not experts in typography, simply adding a few more words will be helpful in clarifying exactly what the experiment is all about. It’s always a good idea to make your research and findings as accessible as possible. 

Good hypotheses ensure that you can observe the results. 

#3: Observability

In order to measure the truth or falsity of your hypothesis, you must be able to see your variables and the way they interact. For instance, if your hypothesis is that the flight patterns of satellites affect the strength of certain television signals, yet you don’t have a telescope to view the satellites or a television to monitor the signal strength, you cannot properly observe your hypothesis and thus cannot continue your study.

Some variables may seem easy to observe, but if you do not have a system of measurement in place, you cannot observe your hypothesis properly. Here’s an example: if you’re experimenting on the effect of healthy food on overall happiness, but you don’t have a way to monitor and measure what “overall happiness” means, your results will not reflect the truth. Monitoring how often someone smiles for a whole day is not reasonably observable, but having the participants state how happy they feel on a scale of one to ten is more observable. 

In writing your hypothesis, always keep in mind how you'll execute the experiment.

#4: Generalizability 

Perhaps you’d like to study what color your best friend wears the most often by observing and documenting the colors she wears each day of the week. This might be fun information for her and you to know, but beyond you two, there aren’t many people who could benefit from this experiment. When you start an experiment, you should note how generalizable your findings may be if they are confirmed. Generalizability is basically how common a particular phenomenon is to other people’s everyday life.

Let’s say you’re asking a question about the health benefits of eating an apple for one day only, you need to realize that the experiment may be too specific to be helpful. It does not help to explain a phenomenon that many people experience. If you find yourself with too specific of a hypothesis, go back to asking the big question: what is it that you want to know, and what do you think will happen between your two variables?

Hypothesis Testing Examples

We know it can be hard to write a good hypothesis unless you’ve seen some good hypothesis examples. We’ve included four hypothesis examples based on some made-up experiments. Use these as templates or launch pads for coming up with your own hypotheses.

Experiment #1: Students Studying Outside (Writing a Hypothesis)

You are a student at PrepScholar University. When you walk around campus, you notice that, when the temperature is above 60 degrees, more students study in the quad. You want to know when your fellow students are more likely to study outside. With this information, how do you make the best hypothesis possible?

You must remember to make additional observations and do secondary research before writing your hypothesis. In doing so, you notice that no one studies outside when it’s 75 degrees and raining, so this should be included in your experiment. Also, studies done on the topic beforehand suggested that students are more likely to study in temperatures less than 85 degrees. With this in mind, you feel confident that you can identify your variables and write your hypotheses:

If-then: “If the temperature in Fahrenheit is less than 60 degrees, significantly fewer students will study outside.”

Null: “If the temperature in Fahrenheit is less than 60 degrees, the same number of students will study outside as when it is more than 60 degrees.”

These hypotheses are plausible, as the temperatures are reasonably within the bounds of what is possible. The number of people in the quad is also easily observable. It is also not a phenomenon specific to only one person or at one time, but instead can explain a phenomenon for a broader group of people.

To complete this experiment, you pick the month of October to observe the quad. Every day (except on the days where it’s raining)from 3 to 4 PM, when most classes have released for the day, you observe how many people are on the quad. You measure how many people come  and how many leave. You also write down the temperature on the hour. 

After writing down all of your observations and putting them on a graph, you find that the most students study on the quad when it is 70 degrees outside, and that the number of students drops a lot once the temperature reaches 60 degrees or below. In this case, your research report would state that you accept or “failed to reject” your first hypothesis with your findings.

Experiment #2: The Cupcake Store (Forming a Simple Experiment)

Let’s say that you work at a bakery. You specialize in cupcakes, and you make only two colors of frosting: yellow and purple. You want to know what kind of customers are more likely to buy what kind of cupcake, so you set up an experiment. Your independent variable is the customer’s gender, and the dependent variable is the color of the frosting. What is an example of a hypothesis that might answer the question of this study?

Here’s what your hypotheses might look like: 

If-then: “If customers’ gender is female, then they will buy more yellow cupcakes than purple cupcakes.”

Null: “If customers’ gender is female, then they will be just as likely to buy purple cupcakes as yellow cupcakes.”

This is a pretty simple experiment! It passes the test of plausibility (there could easily be a difference), defined concepts (there’s nothing complicated about cupcakes!), observability (both color and gender can be easily observed), and general explanation ( this would potentially help you make better business decisions ).

Experiment #3: Backyard Bird Feeders (Integrating Multiple Variables and Rejecting the If-Then Hypothesis)

While watching your backyard bird feeder, you realized that different birds come on the days when you change the types of seeds. You decide that you want to see more cardinals in your backyard, so you decide to see what type of food they like the best and set up an experiment. 

However, one morning, you notice that, while some cardinals are present, blue jays are eating out of your backyard feeder filled with millet. You decide that, of all of the other birds, you would like to see the blue jays the least. This means you'll have more than one variable in your hypothesis. Your new hypotheses might look like this: 

If-then: “If sunflower seeds are placed in the bird feeders, then more cardinals will come than blue jays. If millet is placed in the bird feeders, then more blue jays will come than cardinals.”

Null: “If either sunflower seeds or millet are placed in the bird, equal numbers of cardinals and blue jays will come.”

Through simple observation, you actually find that cardinals come as often as blue jays when sunflower seeds or millet is in the bird feeder. In this case, you would reject your “if-then” hypothesis and “fail to reject” your null hypothesis . You cannot accept your first hypothesis, because it’s clearly not true. Instead you found that there was actually no relation between your different variables. Consequently, you would need to run more experiments with different variables to see if the new variables impact the results.

Experiment #4: In-Class Survey (Including an Alternative Hypothesis)

You’re about to give a speech in one of your classes about the importance of paying attention. You want to take this opportunity to test a hypothesis you’ve had for a while: 

If-then: If students sit in the first two rows of the classroom, then they will listen better than students who do not.

Null: If students sit in the first two rows of the classroom, then they will not listen better or worse than students who do not.

You give your speech and then ask your teacher if you can hand out a short survey to the class. On the survey, you’ve included questions about some of the topics you talked about. When you get back the results, you’re surprised to see that not only do the students in the first two rows not pay better attention, but they also scored worse than students in other parts of the classroom! Here, both your if-then and your null hypotheses are not representative of your findings. What do you do?

This is when you reject both your if-then and null hypotheses and instead create an alternative hypothesis . This type of hypothesis is used in the rare circumstance that neither of your hypotheses is able to capture your findings . Now you can use what you’ve learned to draft new hypotheses and test again! 

Key Takeaways: Hypothesis Writing

The more comfortable you become with writing hypotheses, the better they will become. The structure of hypotheses is flexible and may need to be changed depending on what topic you are studying. The most important thing to remember is the purpose of your hypothesis and the difference between the if-then and the null . From there, in forming your hypothesis, you should constantly be asking questions, making observations, doing secondary research, and considering your variables. After you have written your hypothesis, be sure to edit it so that it is plausible, clearly defined, observable, and helpful in explaining a general phenomenon.

Writing a hypothesis is something that everyone, from elementary school children competing in a science fair to professional scientists in a lab, needs to know how to do. Hypotheses are vital in experiments and in properly executing the scientific method . When done correctly, hypotheses will set up your studies for success and help you to understand the world a little better, one experiment at a time.

What’s Next?

If you’re studying for the science portion of the ACT, there’s definitely a lot you need to know. We’ve got the tools to help, though! Start by checking out our ultimate study guide for the ACT Science subject test. Once you read through that, be sure to download our recommended ACT Science practice tests , since they’re one of the most foolproof ways to improve your score. (And don’t forget to check out our expert guide book , too.)

If you love science and want to major in a scientific field, you should start preparing in high school . Here are the science classes you should take to set yourself up for success.

If you’re trying to think of science experiments you can do for class (or for a science fair!), here’s a list of 37 awesome science experiments you can do at home

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Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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• How to Write a Strong Hypothesis | Guide & Examples

How to Write a Strong Hypothesis | Guide & Examples

Published on 6 May 2022 by Shona McCombes .

A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested by scientific research. If you want to test a relationship between two or more variables, you need to write hypotheses before you start your experiment or data collection.

Table of contents

What is a hypothesis, developing a hypothesis (with example), hypothesis examples, frequently asked questions about writing hypotheses.

A hypothesis states your predictions about what your research will find. It is a tentative answer to your research question that has not yet been tested. For some research projects, you might have to write several hypotheses that address different aspects of your research question.

A hypothesis is not just a guess – it should be based on existing theories and knowledge. It also has to be testable, which means you can support or refute it through scientific research methods (such as experiments, observations, and statistical analysis of data).

Variables in hypotheses

Hypotheses propose a relationship between two or more variables . An independent variable is something the researcher changes or controls. A dependent variable is something the researcher observes and measures.

In this example, the independent variable is exposure to the sun – the assumed cause . The dependent variable is the level of happiness – the assumed effect .

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Step 1: ask a question.

Writing a hypothesis begins with a research question that you want to answer. The question should be focused, specific, and researchable within the constraints of your project.

Step 2: Do some preliminary research

Your initial answer to the question should be based on what is already known about the topic. Look for theories and previous studies to help you form educated assumptions about what your research will find.

At this stage, you might construct a conceptual framework to identify which variables you will study and what you think the relationships are between them. Sometimes, you’ll have to operationalise more complex constructs.

Step 3: Formulate your hypothesis

Now you should have some idea of what you expect to find. Write your initial answer to the question in a clear, concise sentence.

Step 4: Refine your hypothesis

You need to make sure your hypothesis is specific and testable. There are various ways of phrasing a hypothesis, but all the terms you use should have clear definitions, and the hypothesis should contain:

• The relevant variables
• The specific group being studied
• The predicted outcome of the experiment or analysis

Step 5: Phrase your hypothesis in three ways

To identify the variables, you can write a simple prediction in if … then form. The first part of the sentence states the independent variable and the second part states the dependent variable.

In academic research, hypotheses are more commonly phrased in terms of correlations or effects, where you directly state the predicted relationship between variables.

If you are comparing two groups, the hypothesis can state what difference you expect to find between them.

Step 6. Write a null hypothesis

If your research involves statistical hypothesis testing , you will also have to write a null hypothesis. The null hypothesis is the default position that there is no association between the variables. The null hypothesis is written as H 0 , while the alternative hypothesis is H 1 or H a .

Hypothesis testing is a formal procedure for investigating our ideas about the world using statistics. It is used by scientists to test specific predictions, called hypotheses , by calculating how likely it is that a pattern or relationship between variables could have arisen by chance.

A hypothesis is not just a guess. It should be based on existing theories and knowledge. It also has to be testable, which means you can support or refute it through scientific research methods (such as experiments, observations, and statistical analysis of data).

A research hypothesis is your proposed answer to your research question. The research hypothesis usually includes an explanation (‘ x affects y because …’).

A statistical hypothesis, on the other hand, is a mathematical statement about a population parameter. Statistical hypotheses always come in pairs: the null and alternative hypotheses. In a well-designed study , the statistical hypotheses correspond logically to the research hypothesis.

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Compound Sentences: Definition & How They're Used (With Examples)

By Hannah Yang

If you want to improve your writing, you’ll need to be able to construct many different types of sentences.

Understanding how to use compound sentences will help you vary the sentence lengths in your writing, which creates better flow and makes your writing sound more professional.

So what is a compound sentence? A compound sentence is a sentence with at least two independent clauses.

This article will explain how to construct a compound sentence and give you examples from literature.

What Is a Compound Sentence?

What are the conjunctions you can use to join two independent clauses together in a compound sentence, what is the difference between a simple, complex, and compound sentence, what are examples of compound sentences, final words.

A compound sentence is a sentence that contains two or more independent clauses.

An independent clause is a clause that can be a grammatically complete sentence all by itself. (The alternative is a dependent clause , which can't stand alone.)

In other words, if you broke a compound sentence apart into pieces, you could create two or more grammatically correct sentences.

There are four ways you can join two independent clauses together:

• Conjunctions

1. Conjunctions

The most common way to create compound sentences is to use conjunctions , preceded by a comma.

Conjunctions are words that tie clauses together. There are multiple types of conjunctions. Some can be used to create compound sentences, and some can’t.

The most common type is a coordinating conjunction: “for”, “and”, “nor”, “but”, “or”, “yet”, and “so.” (You can remember them using the mnemonic F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.)

Here are some examples of compound sentences with coordinating conjunctions :

• I asked for apple pie for dessert, and my sister asked for chocolate cake.
• I wanted apple pie for dessert, but my sister made us eat chocolate cake.
• We can have apple pie for dessert, or we can have chocolate cake.

Notice that in order to create a compound sentence, you need to include a comma before the coordinating conjunction .

The second type of conjunction is a correlative conjunction, which is used in pairs. The most common pairs are “either/or”, “neither/nor”, and “not only/but also.”

Here are some examples of compound sentences with correlative conjunctions:

• Either we will have apple pie, or we will have chocolate cake.
• Not only will we have apple pie, but we will also have chocolate cake.

There’s another type of conjunction called subordinating conjunction , these are “although”, “because”, “if”, “since”, “while”, and “unless”. However, these are used for dependent clauses.

If two clauses are connected with a subordinating conjunction, they make a complex sentence, not a compound sentence.

2. Semicolons

Another way to join two clauses together is to use a semicolon. This method creates a smoother transition between two sentences than a period.

Here’s an example from Exhalation by Ted Chiang:

• “But I’ve never prayed with the expectation that it would affect your actions; I prayed with the expectation that it would affect mine.”

3. Em-dashes

Another way to join two independent clauses together is to use an em-dash .

Here’s an example from This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone and Amal El-Mohtar:

• “Adventure works in any strand—it calls to those who care more for living than for their lives.”

The rarest way to join two independent clauses together is to use a colon. Usually, colons don’t join independent clauses, they connect an independent clause to a dependent clause.

Here’s an example from New York 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson:

• “It’s what economists used to call the tyranny of sunk costs: once you’ve put so much time and money into a project, it gets hard to just eat your losses and walk.”

There are four major types of sentence structures :

• Simple sentences
• Complex sentences
• Compound sentences
• Compound-complex sentences

A simple sentence has just one independent clause.

• Example: There’s an oak tree behind my house.

A complex sentence has an independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

• Example: There’s an oak tree behind my house, which my brother and I used to climb when we were kids.

A compound sentence, as you already know, has at least two independent clauses.

• Example: There’s an oak tree behind my house, and I go there sometimes when I’m lonely.

You can also have a compound-complex sentence, which has at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

• There’s an oak tree behind my house, which my brother and I used to climb when we were kids, and I go there sometimes when I’m lonely.

You'll want to use different sentence structures to keep your audience engaged. ProWritingAid's Sentence Structure report can help with that.

Use ProWritingAid's visualizations to spot where you need to vary your sentence lengths. Too many long sentences can be boring, while too many short sentences can feel unfinished or disjointed.

Try the Sentence Structure report with a free ProWritingAid account.

Before we look at some examples of compound sentences, review your knowledge with our video guide:

Let’s look at some examples from successful books. Some of these example sentences have only two independent clauses, while others have as many as eleven.

“Our mothers teach us to speak, and the world teaches us to shut up.” – Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli

• First independent clause: Our mothers teach us to speak
• Conjunction: and
• Second independent clause: the world teaches us to shut up

“The explorer who will not come back or send back his ships to tell his tale is not an explorer, only an adventurer, and his sons are born in exile.” – The Dispossessed by Ursula K. LeGuin

• First independent clause: The explorer who will not come back or send back his ships to tell his tale is not an explorer, only an adventurer
• Second independent clause: his sons are born in exile

“Peg’s smile remains in place, but it’s like a picture of a smile someone has hung on her face instead.” – The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

• First independent clause: Peg’s smile remains in place
• Conjunction: but
• Second independent clause: it’s like a picture of a smile someone has hung on her face instead

“The sitting room is subdued, symmetrical; it’s one of the shapes money takes when it freezes.” – The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

• First independent clause: The sitting room is subdued, symmetrical
• Conjunction: semicolon
• Second independent clause: it’s one of the shapes money takes when it freezes

“Now I think it’s one of the most useless questions an adult can ask a child—What do you want to be when you grow up?” – Becoming by Michelle Obama

• First independent clause: I think it’s one of the most useless questions an adult can ask a child
• Conjunction: em-dash
• Second independent clause: What do you want to be when you grow up?

“In the moment, you have to pee, or your arm itches, or what people are saying strikes you as melodramatic or sentimental, and it’s hard not to smirk.” – Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld

• First independent clause: you have to pee
• Conjunction: or
• Second independent clause: your arm itches
• Third independent clause: what people are saying strikes you as melodramatic or sentimental
• Fourth independent clause: it’s hard not to smirk

“In the late afternoon, Saeed went to the top of the hill, and Nadia went to the top of the hill, and there they gazed out over the island, and out to sea, and he stood beside where she stood, and she stood beside where he stood, and the wind tugged and pushed at their hair, and they looked around at each other, but they did not see each other, for she went up before him, and he went up after her, and they were each at the crest of the hill only briefly, and at different times.” – Exit West by Mohsin Hamid

• First independent clause: Saeed went to the top of the hill
• Second independent clause: Nadia went to the top of the hill
• Third independent clause: there they gazed out over the island, and out to sea
• Fourth independent clause: he stood beside where she stood
• Fifth independent clause: she stood beside where he stood
• Sixth independent clause: the wind tugged and pushed at their hair
• Seventh independent clause: they looked around at each other
• Eighth independent clause: they did not see each other
• Conjunction: for
• Ninth independent clause: she went up before him
• Tenth independent clause: he went up after her
• Eleventh independent clause: they were each at the crest of the hill only briefly, and at different times

Now you know what a compound sentence is and how to identify each component of one.

Was this article helpful? Let us know in the comments.

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Definition of hypothesis

Did you know.

The Difference Between Hypothesis and Theory

A hypothesis is an assumption, an idea that is proposed for the sake of argument so that it can be tested to see if it might be true.

In the scientific method, the hypothesis is constructed before any applicable research has been done, apart from a basic background review. You ask a question, read up on what has been studied before, and then form a hypothesis.

A hypothesis is usually tentative; it's an assumption or suggestion made strictly for the objective of being tested.

A theory , in contrast, is a principle that has been formed as an attempt to explain things that have already been substantiated by data. It is used in the names of a number of principles accepted in the scientific community, such as the Big Bang Theory . Because of the rigors of experimentation and control, it is understood to be more likely to be true than a hypothesis is.

In non-scientific use, however, hypothesis and theory are often used interchangeably to mean simply an idea, speculation, or hunch, with theory being the more common choice.

Since this casual use does away with the distinctions upheld by the scientific community, hypothesis and theory are prone to being wrongly interpreted even when they are encountered in scientific contexts—or at least, contexts that allude to scientific study without making the critical distinction that scientists employ when weighing hypotheses and theories.

The most common occurrence is when theory is interpreted—and sometimes even gleefully seized upon—to mean something having less truth value than other scientific principles. (The word law applies to principles so firmly established that they are almost never questioned, such as the law of gravity.)

This mistake is one of projection: since we use theory in general to mean something lightly speculated, then it's implied that scientists must be talking about the same level of uncertainty when they use theory to refer to their well-tested and reasoned principles.

The distinction has come to the forefront particularly on occasions when the content of science curricula in schools has been challenged—notably, when a school board in Georgia put stickers on textbooks stating that evolution was "a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things." As Kenneth R. Miller, a cell biologist at Brown University, has said , a theory "doesn’t mean a hunch or a guess. A theory is a system of explanations that ties together a whole bunch of facts. It not only explains those facts, but predicts what you ought to find from other observations and experiments.”

While theories are never completely infallible, they form the basis of scientific reasoning because, as Miller said "to the best of our ability, we’ve tested them, and they’ve held up."

• proposition
• supposition

hypothesis , theory , law mean a formula derived by inference from scientific data that explains a principle operating in nature.

hypothesis implies insufficient evidence to provide more than a tentative explanation.

theory implies a greater range of evidence and greater likelihood of truth.

law implies a statement of order and relation in nature that has been found to be invariable under the same conditions.

Examples of hypothesis in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hypothesis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Greek, from hypotithenai to put under, suppose, from hypo- + tithenai to put — more at do

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hypothesis

• counter - hypothesis
• nebular hypothesis
• null hypothesis
• planetesimal hypothesis
• Whorfian hypothesis

Articles Related to hypothesis

This is the Difference Between a...

This is the Difference Between a Hypothesis and a Theory

In scientific reasoning, they're two completely different things

Dictionary Entries Near hypothesis

hypothermia

hypothesize

Cite this Entry

“Hypothesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothesis. Accessed 17 Sep. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of hypothesis, medical definition, medical definition of hypothesis, more from merriam-webster on hypothesis.

Nglish: Translation of hypothesis for Spanish Speakers

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hypothesis

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Compound Sentences: Types, Examples & Usage Guide

• April 2, 2024

Dr. Marvin L. Smith

Master compound sentences in record time.

The best part?

This guide covers everything you need to know about compound sentences in 2024.

(In other words: you’re getting up-to-date, practical knowledge.)

From basic structure to advanced techniques, we’ve got you covered.

Ready to elevate your writing? Let’s dive in…

What is a Compound Sentence?

A compound sentence combines two or more independent clauses, each able to stand alone. It expresses multiple related ideas in a single sentence using coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So), semicolons, or conjunctive adverbs.

Example: “The sun was shining brightly, and the birds were singing in the trees.”

Examples of a Compound Sentence

Here are a few examples of compound sentences.

• Using coordinating conjunctions: “The movie was entertaining, but the book was even better.” “I wanted to go for a run, yet it was raining heavily outside.” “She studied hard for the exam, so she felt confident about her performance.”
• Using a semicolon: “The conference room was packed; every seat was taken.”
• Using a conjunctive adverb: “The experiment failed; however, the researchers gained valuable insights.”
• Multiple independent clauses: “The sun was setting, the birds were returning to their nests, and the crickets began to chirp.”
• In different contexts: Academic: “The hypothesis was supported by the data, and the researchers published their findings.” Literary: “The wind howled through the trees, and the old house creaked ominously.” Business: “The market showed signs of recovery, but investors remained cautious.”

Types of Compound Sentences

Let’s explore the different types of compound sentences. This information will be valuable for students and researchers looking to enhance their writing skills:

Compound Sentences with Coordinating Conjunctions: This is the most common type of compound sentence. It uses the FANBOYS conjunctions (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) to join independent clauses.

Example: “The concert was sold out, but we managed to get tickets at the last minute.”

Compound Sentences with Semicolons: These sentences join two closely related independent clauses without using a conjunction.

Example: “The experiment was a success; the team’s hypothesis was confirmed.”

Compound Sentences with Conjunctive Adverbs: These use transitional words or phrases like “however,” “therefore,” “moreover,” or “consequently” to connect independent clauses.

Example: “The project deadline was extended; consequently, we had more time to refine our presentation.”

Compound-Complex Sentences : While not strictly a type of compound sentence, these combine elements of both compound and complex sentences. They contain two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

Example: “Although the weather was poor, we went to the beach, and we had a great time.”

Implied Compound Sentences: These sentences omit repeated words or phrases in the second clause to avoid redundancy.

Example: “Some students prefer online classes, others traditional classroom settings.” (The verb “prefer” is implied in the second clause)

Compound Sentences with Correlative Conjunctions: These use paired conjunctions like “either…or,” “neither…nor,” “not only…but also” to join independent clauses.

Example: “Not only did she ace the exam, but she also received a scholarship offer.”

Compound vs. Other Sentence Types

Comparing compound sentences to other sentence structures illuminates their distinctive features and applications. By examining these differences, students and researchers can gain valuable insights into selecting and employing various sentence types for maximum effectiveness in their writing.

Compound vs. Simple Sentences:

Simple Sentence contains one independent clause.

Example: “The cat sleeps on the windowsill.”

Compound Sentence contains two or more independent clauses.

Example: “The cat sleeps on the windowsill, and the dog rests by the fireplace.”

The compound sentence provides more information and shows a relationship between two complete thoughts.

Compound vs. Complex Sentences:

Complex Sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Example: “While the cat sleeps on the windowsill, the dog watches the birds outside.”

Example: “The cat sleeps on the windowsill, but the dog prefers to watch the birds outside.”

Complex sentences show a hierarchical relationship between ideas, while compound sentences present ideas of equal importance.

Compound vs. Compound-Complex Sentences:

Compound-Complex sentence contains two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

Example: “Although the cat usually sleeps on the windowsill, today it’s curled up on the sofa, and the dog has taken its usual spot.”

Compound Sentence contains only independent clauses.

Example: “The cat usually sleeps on the windowsill, and the dog often rests by the fireplace.”

Compound-complex sentences allow for more intricate expression of ideas, combining the features of both compound and complex sentences.

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Common Mistakes in Forming Compound Sentences

• Comma Splices is one of the most frequent errors is joining two independent clauses with just a comma, without a coordinating conjunction.

Incorrect: “The sun was setting, the temperature was dropping rapidly.”

Correct: “The sun was setting, and the temperature was dropping rapidly.”

• Run-on Sentences occur when two or more independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions.

Incorrect: “The experiment failed we need to start over.”

Correct: “The experiment failed; we need to start over.” or “The experiment failed, so we need to start over.”

• Misuse of Semicolons: Using a semicolon where a comma should be used, or vice versa.

Incorrect: “The research was comprehensive; but the conclusions were vague.”

Correct: “The research was comprehensive, but the conclusions were vague.”

• Overuse of Compound Sentences: While compound sentences are useful, overusing them can make writing repetitive and monotonous.

Repetitive: “The study was conducted over six months, and the results were analyzed carefully, and the findings were surprising.”

Improved: “The six-month study yielded carefully analyzed results, which were surprising.”

• Incorrect Coordinating Conjunction: Using a conjunction that doesn’t accurately represent the relationship between the clauses.

Incorrect: “The hypothesis was rejected, and the experiment was a success.”

Correct: “The hypothesis was rejected, but the experiment was still considered a success.”

• Unbalanced Clauses: Creating compound sentences where the ideas in the independent clauses are not logically related or of equal importance.

Awkward: “The library was quiet, and I forgot my umbrella.”

Improved: “The library was quiet, providing an ideal environment for studying.”

• Forgetting the Second Subject: Omitting the subject in the second independent clause when it’s different from the first.

Incorrect: “The professor presented the lecture, and then answered questions.”

Correct: “The professor presented the lecture, and she then answered questions.”

Points to Remember When Forming Compound Sentences

When crafting compound sentences, keep these key points in mind to ensure clarity, coherence, and grammatical correctness in your writing:

• Ensure that each part of your compound sentence can stand alone as a complete thought. This is the fundamental principle of compound sentences.

Example: “The research was extensive, and the findings were significant.”

• Choose the right coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) to express the relationship between your clauses accurately.

Example: “The hypothesis was rejected, yet the experiment provided valuable insights.”

• Use Proper Punctuation. Use a comma before the coordinating conjunction when joining two independent clauses. If using a semicolon, omit the conjunction.

Example: “The data was collected over six months; the analysis took an additional two months.”

• Ensure that the ideas in your compound sentence are logically related and of similar importance.

Example: “The literature review was comprehensive, and the methodology was rigorous.”

• While compound sentences are useful, mix them with other sentence types to maintain reader engagement and improve flow.

Example: “After reviewing the data, we reached a conclusion. Our hypothesis was confirmed, and new questions emerged for future research.”

• Avoid redundancy in compound sentences. If information can be combined more efficiently, consider doing so.

Instead of: “The participants were surveyed, and then their responses were analyzed.” Consider: “The participants’ survey responses were analyzed.”

• Maintain parallel structure in your compound sentences , especially when listing items or actions.

Example: “The researcher collected the data, analyzed the results, and published the findings.”

• Ensure that each clause has a clear subject and that verbs agree with their subjects, especially in longer compound sentences.

Example: “The experiment was successful, and its results were published in a peer-reviewed journal.”

• When appropriate, use transitional phrases to enhance the flow between clauses.

Example: “The initial results were promising; moreover, they opened up new avenues for further investigation.”

• Consider your audience and the formality of your writing when deciding to use compound sentences. They can be particularly effective in academic and professional writing for expressing complex ideas succinctly.

Advanced Tips for Mastering Compound Sentences

For those looking to elevate their writing skills, here are some advanced tips for mastering compound sentences:

• Use compound sentences to highlight relationships between ideas. The order of clauses can affect emphasis.

Example: “The experiment failed, but valuable lessons were learned.” This emphasizes the positive outcome despite the initial setback.

• Vary the length of your independent clauses to create a pleasing rhythm in your writing.

Example: “The sun set slowly, painting the sky in vibrant hues, and night crept in silently.”

• In informal writing, you can sometimes omit repeated subjects for a more concise style.

Example: “She entered the lab, (she) conducted the experiment, and (she) recorded the results.”

• Use compound sentences to mimic natural speech patterns in dialogue, adding authenticity to characters.

Example: “I wanted to believe him, but something just didn’t add up.”

• Practice combining simple sentences into compound sentences to express ideas more efficiently.

Instead of: “The hypothesis was tested. The results were unexpected.” Try: “The hypothesis was tested, and the results were unexpected.”

• Use compound sentences for contrast, comparison, or cause-and-effect relationships to strengthen your arguments.

Example: “The evidence was compelling, yet the jury remained unconvinced.”

• Employ compound sentences as topic sentences to preview two main points of a paragraph.

Example: “The study had both strengths and limitations, and these factors significantly impacted the interpretation of results.”

• Explore less common coordinating devices like correlative conjunctions for sophisticated coordination.

Example: “Not only did the research break new ground, but it also challenged existing paradigms.”

• Master the nuanced use of semicolons, colons, and dashes in compound sentences for varied effects.

Example: “The results were clear: the treatment was effective, and side effects were minimal.”

• Use compound sentences in concluding statements to succinctly summarize dual aspects of your argument or findings.

Example: “The study confirmed the initial hypothesis, and it opened new avenues for future research.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What are 5 examples of compound sentences.

• “The sun was shining brightly, and the birds were singing in the trees.”
• “I wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining heavily.”
• “She studied hard for the exam, so she felt confident about her performance.”
• “The movie was entertaining; however, the book was even better.”
• “You can choose the red car, or you can opt for the blue one.”

What is the difference between a compound and complex sentence?

The main difference lies in the types of clauses they contain and how these clauses are related:

Compound Sentence:

• Contains two or more independent clauses
• Clauses are of equal importance
• Joined by coordinating conjunctions, semicolons, or conjunctive adverbs Example: “The experiment was successful, and the results were published.”

Complex Sentence:

• Contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause
• Clauses have a hierarchical relationship (main idea and supporting idea)
• Joined by subordinating conjunctions Example: “Although the experiment was challenging, the results were groundbreaking.”

How do you form a compound sentence using “so”?

To form a compound sentence using “so,” follow this structure: Independent Clause + , so + Independent Clause

The conjunction “so” is used to show a cause-and-effect relationship between the two clauses. Here are two examples:

• “The traffic was heavy, so we arrived late to the conference.”
• “The results were statistically significant, so the researchers decided to publish their findings.”

Remember to use a comma before “so” when it’s joining two independent clauses.

What are common mistakes to avoid when writing compound sentences?

Common mistakes in compound sentences include comma splices (joining independent clauses with only a comma), run-on sentences (lacking proper punctuation or conjunctions), misuse of semicolons, incorrect coordinating conjunctions , and unbalanced clauses.

Compound sentences serve as vital components in effective writing, allowing for the expression of complex ideas and relationships between thoughts. They add depth, variety, and sophistication to prose across all genres. 

Mastering these versatile structures enhances clarity, improves flow, and strengthens the overall impact of written communication. By understanding their formation, avoiding common pitfalls, and practicing their application, writers can significantly elevate the quality of their work.

As you continue to hone your writing skills, remember that thoughtful use of compound sentences can transform your prose, making it more engaging and nuanced. With consistent practice and attention to detail, you’ll find compound sentences becoming a natural and powerful part of your writing repertoire, helping you convey ideas with greater precision and elegance.

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Hypothesis in a Sentence  🔊

Definition of Hypothesis

a proposed explanation or theory that is studied through scientific testing

Examples of Hypothesis in a sentence

The scientist’s hypothesis did not stand up, since research data was inconsistent with his guess.  🔊

Each student gave a hypothesis and theorized which plant would grow the tallest during the study.  🔊

A hypothesis was presented by the panel, giving a likely explanation for why the trial medicine didn’t seem to have much of an effect on the patients.  🔊

During the study, the researcher changed her hypothesis to a new assumption that fit with current data.  🔊

To confirm his hypothesis on why the dolphin wasn’t eating, the marine biologists did several tests over a week’s time.  🔊

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Compound Sentences | Definition and Examples

As we know, sentences are divided into many types, and the compound sentence is one of them. Compound sentences play a significant role in explaining a thing more elaborately. A compound sentence consists of two independent clauses by joining coordinating conjunction (and, but, or). A clause is a group of words that has an independent meaning.

Sometimes many of us think that a compound sentence is complicated to understand. But it’s too difficult to understand. However, without wasting time, let us know the definition of a compound sentence.

What Is a Compound Sentence in English?

Quick Navigation

A compound sentence is a type of sentence that consists of two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or). In other words, we can say a compound sentence has two main clauses joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction or semicolon.

We can also make a compound sentence by joining two simple sentences with a comma and a coordinating conjunction. Let us see some examples to get a clear idea of it:

• I prepare for dinner, and I enjoy the wedding party.
• She knew how to fix the issue, but she refused to do it.
• You will have to do the proper diet, or your weight will be increased.
• Make a good study plan; you fail the examination.
• I need your assistance; I fail to proceed.

Difference between Simple and Compound Sentences

We can quickly identify the difference between simple and compound sentences. A simple sentence contains one independent clause, e.g., I need this English lesson . In contrast, a compound sentence contains two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction, e.g., I need this English lesson, and you can provide me with this lesson . The most common coordinating conjunctions are; and, but, or, for, yet, and so.

Difference between Complex and Compound Sentences

Sometimes we become confused to differentiate between complex and compound sentences. But it’s not a difficult task to identify the difference between these two sentences. A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses. For example;

I have a pet whom I love so much .

We can see one independent clause and a subordinate clause in this sentence. That’s why we can call it a complex sentence.

On the other hand, a compound sentence contains two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction. For example;

I have a pet , and I love it so much .

In this sentence, we can see two independent clauses combined with the coordinating conjunction ‘and.’ That’s why we call it a compound sentence.

Examples of Compound Sentences

Now let us see some examples of compound sentences for better understanding:

• He plays football, and his friend reads a novel.
• They worked hard, but they failed to reach their destination.
• I need to work with you, but I can’t due to my sickness.
• We should complete the task or fail to reach our destination.
• My friend is busy now, so I have to meet him later.
• He has lost his job, yet he didn’t get his last salary.
• I found the right path and got my best life partner.
• She knew the true story, but didn’t want to unveil it.
• Kareem will buy a bike, or he will buy a car.
• Jareen loves to read novels, and she reads a novel every week.
• We have to finish our project on time, yet we have a lot of tasks at hand.
• They provide voluntary services, and they have many members.
• She has suffered from a disease, and she missed her loving family.
• He had a happy moment with his friends but missed his pet.
• I know you’re missing me, but I have no ways to meet with you.
• He’ll be playing with team members or choosing a different option.
• We’re trying to invent a new technology, yet we need many types of equipment.
• Archer kept my word, and I was happy to see him.
• Please don’t lose your last hope; we’ll never reach your destination.
• She lives in the USA, and her family stays in the UK.

Final Thoughts

Compound sentences are useful writing tools because they allow the joining of two independent clauses using coordinating conjunctions like “and,” “but,” or “or.” Using this kind of sentence structure, we can describe linkages between ideas and more thorough explanations.

Compound sentences can be easily distinguished from simple sentences, which only have one independent clause, by understanding their definition and examples. Furthermore, we can distinguish compound sentences from complex ones containing independent and subordinate clauses.

The examples given show us how compound sentences improve the cohesion and clarity of our writing. We can effectively communicate our thoughts and ideas more thoroughly and interestingly by using compound sentences in our writing.

Compound Sentences Quiz

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Azizul Hakim is the founder & CEO of englishfinders.com . He is a passionate writer, English instructor, and content creator. He has completed his graduation and post-graduation in English language and literature.

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Examples of “Hypothesis” In A Sentence

The hypothesis is a very important part of doing science and thinking carefully. It is like the strong supporting structure of a building for the process of research. A hypothesis is a clever guess or idea that can be tested to see if it is true or not. It helps us understand things or predict what might happen. In this article, we will look at many examples of ‘hypothesis’ in sentences .

Table of Contents

Sentences with Hypothesis

• Hypothesis : The sun rises in the east.
• They formulated a null hypothesis to compare against the alternative.
• We need to revise the original hypothesis .
• They discussed the hypothesis with colleagues in their field.
• They formulated competing hypotheses to compare and contrast the findings.
• The students generated multiple hypotheses for their investigation.
• The hypothesis was generated from observations.
• The hypothesis is the starting point of scientific investigation.
• The researchers tested the hypothesis using various methodologies.
• We need to investigate the hypothesis
• The hypothesis needs more evidence to be proven.
• The hypothesis was rejected due to flaws in the experimental design.
• They tested the hypothesis using computer simulations.
• The team tested the hypothesis using advanced technology.
• The hypothesis was derived from logical reasoning.
• They conducted surveys to gather data for their hypotheses .
• They proposed alternative hypotheses for further exploration.
• The hypothesis was consistent with data from other studies.
• The hypothesis was based on logical reasoning.
• The hypothesis was supported by the statistical analysis.

Sentences with “Hypothesis”

• The hypothesis was proven incorrect.
• The hypothesis was rejected due to lack of evidence.
• They discussed the hypothesis with their peers.
• The hypothesis was proposed based on logical deductions.
• The hypothesis was validated through rigorous peer review.
• The team discussed potential hypotheses during brainstorming sessions.
• They discussed the limitations of their hypothesis
• The students proposed various hypotheses for the investigation.
• The hypothesis was confirmed by independent replication studies.
• The students formed testable hypotheses for their projects.
• They used a control group to test their hypothesis .
• The hypothesis was formulated as a cause-and-effect relationship.
• The hypothesis was supported by the literature review.
• Scientists test their hypotheses through experiments.
• The hypothesis was proposed based on observations in nature.
• They analyzed the data to validate the hypothesis .
• They designed the experiment to test the hypothesis
• The hypothesis was based on previous research findings.
• They revised the hypothesis based on constructive feedback.
• They presented their hypotheses at a research symposium.
• They conducted experiments to test their hypotheses .
• The hypothesis was supported by a large and diverse sample.
• The researchers tested the hypothesis using a variety of methodologies.
• They conducted surveys to gather data that supported their hypothesis .
• The team formulated new hypotheses for future investigations.
• The hypothesis was consistent with experimental results.

“Hypothesis” Use in Sentence

• They discussed the implications of the hypothesis on their field.
• The researchers discussed the implications of their hypotheses .
• The hypothesis was derived from careful observation and analysis.
• The team developed alternative hypotheses for further investigation.
• They presented their hypotheses to the research community.
• The hypothesis was based on a comprehensive review of the literature.
• The hypothesis was supported by strong logical reasoning.
• They discussed the implications of their hypothesis for future research.
• The hypothesis was based on a well-established scientific theory.
• The researchers tested their hypotheses using different methodologies.
• The hypothesis was supported by empirical evidence.
• The researchers evaluated their hypotheses
• The hypothesis was disproven by contradictory evidence.
• The researchers discussed the limitations of their hypotheses .
• The hypothesis was based on a well-established theory.
• The hypothesis was supported by a large sample size.
• The hypothesis was consistent with patterns observed in nature.
• They proposed new hypotheses for future investigation.
• The hypothesis was confirmed by the results of the study.
• The hypothesis guided the research process.
• The hypothesis was supported by strong scientific consensus.
• The hypothesis was rejected due to methodological limitations.
• The researchers proposed several hypotheses to explain the phenomenon.
• The hypothesis was confirmed by multiple researchers in the field.
• The hypothesis was validated through multiple studies.

Sentences Using “Hypothesis”

• The researchers conducted experiments to test their hypotheses .
• The hypothesis was based on observations from nature.
• The hypothesis was supported by a wide range of evidence.
• They formed competing hypotheses to compare.
• Scientists often revise their hypotheses based on new data.
• They conducted experiments to support their hypotheses .
• The team discussed their hypothesis during the meeting.
• The students discussed their hypotheses in class.
• They developed a new hypothesis based on recent findings.
• They discussed the hypothesis with other experts in the field.
• The hypothesis was supported by a significant p-value.
• The hypothesis was generated from real-world observations.
• Mary’s hypothesis was supported by the data.
• They tested their hypotheses across different populations.
• The researchers tested multiple hypotheses to find the answer.
• They presented their hypothesis at a scientific conference.
• The hypothesis was supported by strong evidence.
• They presented their hypotheses in a clear and concise manner.
• The researchers proposed a working hypothesis to start their study.
• The team discussed the hypothesis during the brainstorming session.
• The researchers proposed different hypotheses for the observed behavior.
• The hypothesis is a crucial part of any scientific study.
• The hypothesis was refuted by the experimental results.

“Hypothesis” Sentences Examples

• We need to gather more data to test the hypothesis .
• The hypothesis was consistent with existing theories.
• The hypothesis was supported by a strong theoretical framework.
• The hypothesis was based on previous studies.
• They formulated a null hypothesis as the default assumption.
• The hypothesis was consistent with theoretical predictions.
• The hypothesis was based on prior knowledge.
• The hypothesis was supported by strong experimental data.
• The team formed a new hypothesis after analyzing the data.
• The hypothesis was consistent with the findings of previous studies.
• The hypothesis was rejected due to methodological flaws.
• The hypothesis was proven right after extensive testing.
• The hypothesis was consistent with real-world observations.
• The team tested their hypothesis in different conditions.
• The hypothesis was consistent with the predictions.
• The students generated their hypotheses for the experiment.
• The hypothesis was confirmed by multiple independent studies.
• The hypothesis was tested using a randomized controlled trial.
• They formulated a null hypothesis to compare against.
• The hypothesis was based on inductive reasoning.
• The hypothesis was validated through repeated experiments.
• The hypothesis guided the design of the experiment.
• They used statistical analysis to validate the hypothesis .
• The researchers discussed the implications of their hypothesis on society.
• They revised the hypothesis based on feedback from experts.
• The hypothesis was confirmed by expert analysis.
• Hypotheses are essential in the scientific method.
• Lisa proposed an interesting hypothesis for her project.
• They analyzed the data to support their hypothesis .
• The hypothesis was supported by compelling arguments.
• They conducted interviews to explore their hypotheses .

Use “Hypothesis” In A Sentence

• Sarah formulated a new hypothesis for her research.
• The hypothesis was confirmed by the experiment.
• The hypothesis was generated from prior observations.
• They conducted surveys to test their hypotheses .
• The hypothesis was supported by well-documented experimental results.
• The hypothesis was supported by strong correlations.
• The hypothesis was proposed after reviewing the literature.
• They proposed a working hypothesis to guide their study.
• The hypothesis was consistent with the observed results.
• They proposed alternative hypotheses for future exploration.
• The hypothesis was validated through rigorous statistical methods.
• The researchers tested their hypotheses
• John’s hypothesis led to groundbreaking discoveries.
• The hypothesis was supported by statistical significance.
• The researchers formulated a null hypothesis to compare against.
• The hypothesis was supported by theoretical predictions.
• They formed competing hypotheses to compare and contrast.
• The hypothesis was consistent with historical data.
• The hypothesis was supported by multiple lines of evidence.
• The hypothesis was revised based on feedback from reviewers.
• The scientists formulated a specific hypothesis to test.
• The hypothesis was based on empirical data.

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What Is a Hypothesis? (Science)

If...,Then...

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• Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
• B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

A hypothesis (plural hypotheses) is a proposed explanation for an observation. The definition depends on the subject.

In science, a hypothesis is part of the scientific method. It is a prediction or explanation that is tested by an experiment. Observations and experiments may disprove a scientific hypothesis, but can never entirely prove one.

In the study of logic, a hypothesis is an if-then proposition, typically written in the form, "If X , then Y ."

In common usage, a hypothesis is simply a proposed explanation or prediction, which may or may not be tested.

Writing a Hypothesis

Most scientific hypotheses are proposed in the if-then format because it's easy to design an experiment to see whether or not a cause and effect relationship exists between the independent variable and the dependent variable . The hypothesis is written as a prediction of the outcome of the experiment.

Null Hypothesis and Alternative Hypothesis

Statistically, it's easier to show there is no relationship between two variables than to support their connection. So, scientists often propose the null hypothesis . The null hypothesis assumes changing the independent variable will have no effect on the dependent variable.

In contrast, the alternative hypothesis suggests changing the independent variable will have an effect on the dependent variable. Designing an experiment to test this hypothesis can be trickier because there are many ways to state an alternative hypothesis.

For example, consider a possible relationship between getting a good night's sleep and getting good grades. The null hypothesis might be stated: "The number of hours of sleep students get is unrelated to their grades" or "There is no correlation between hours of sleep and grades."

An experiment to test this hypothesis might involve collecting data, recording average hours of sleep for each student and grades. If a student who gets eight hours of sleep generally does better than students who get four hours of sleep or 10 hours of sleep, the hypothesis might be rejected.

But the alternative hypothesis is harder to propose and test. The most general statement would be: "The amount of sleep students get affects their grades." The hypothesis might also be stated as "If you get more sleep, your grades will improve" or "Students who get nine hours of sleep have better grades than those who get more or less sleep."

In an experiment, you can collect the same data, but the statistical analysis is less likely to give you a high confidence limit.

Usually, a scientist starts out with the null hypothesis. From there, it may be possible to propose and test an alternative hypothesis, to narrow down the relationship between the variables.

Example of a Hypothesis

Examples of a hypothesis include:

• If you drop a rock and a feather, (then) they will fall at the same rate.
• Plants need sunlight in order to live. (if sunlight, then life)
• Eating sugar gives you energy. (if sugar, then energy)
• White, Jay D.  Research in Public Administration . Conn., 1998.
• Schick, Theodore, and Lewis Vaughn.  How to Think about Weird Things: Critical Thinking for a New Age . McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2002.
• Scientific Method Flow Chart
• Six Steps of the Scientific Method
• What Are the Elements of a Good Hypothesis?
• What Are Examples of a Hypothesis?
• What Is a Testable Hypothesis?
• Null Hypothesis Examples
• Scientific Hypothesis Examples
• Scientific Variable
• Scientific Method Vocabulary Terms
• Understanding Simple vs Controlled Experiments
• What Is an Experimental Constant?
• What Is a Controlled Experiment?
• What Is the Difference Between a Control Variable and Control Group?
• DRY MIX Experiment Variables Acronym
• Random Error vs. Systematic Error
• The Role of a Controlled Variable in an Experiment

• How To Write A Hypothesis

How to Write a Hypothesis: Types and Tips to Remember

Many people might not know what a hypothesis is, the purpose of a hypothesis or where a hypothesis is needed. A hypothesis is a statement that explains the research’s predictions and the reasons behind the research. It is an “educated guess” of the final result of the research problem and is written for an academic research paper. A good hypothesis is carefully stated as a key aspect of the scientific method, yet even the simplest ones can be difficult to explain.

If you are unaware of the process of writing a hypothesis, we are here to help you with all your queries. Read the article and learn how to write a hypothesis for your academic paper/thesis.

Table of Contents

What is a hypothesis.

• Simple Hypothesis
• Complex Hypothesis
• Null Hypothesis
• Alternative Hypothesis
• Logical Hypothesis
• Empirical Hypothesis
• Statistical Hypothesis

Writing a Good Hypothesis – Points to Remember

• How to Write a Hypothesis

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Write a Hypothesis

A hypothesis is prepared in the early stages of a research project. Based on the preliminary research observations, a hypothesis is framed. It is the prediction of the end result of the research problem. For example, suppose you have observed that the plants grow up better with regular watering. In that case, your hypothesis can be “Plants grow better with regular watering”. Once you have got your hypothesis, you can begin the experiments required to support and prove it.

A hypothesis must include variables. It can be some events, objects or concepts which are to be observed and tested for your research experiments. There are two kinds of variables – dependent variables and independent variables. The independent variables are the ones which can be modified in the experiment, and the dependent variables are the ones which can only be observed.

Hypotheses are a crucial part of the research paper since they influence the direction and arrangement of the research methods. The readers will want to know if the hypothesis was proven right or wrong, and therefore it must be mentioned clearly in the introduction or the abstract of the paper.

Types of Hypotheses

Depending on the nature of the research and the findings, the hypothesis can be categorised into one or more of the seven major categories.

1. Simple Hypothesis

A simple hypothesis states the relationship between the two variables (dependent and independent variables).

2. Complex Hypothesis

A complex hypothesis entails the existence of a relationship between two or more variables. It can be two dependent variables and one independent variable or vice versa.

3. Null Hypothesis

A null hypothesis is a statement that states that the variables have no relationship.

4. Alternative Hypothesis

The null hypothesis is the polar opposite of the alternative hypothesis. It states that the two variables under study have a link (one variable has an effect on the other).

5. Logical Hypothesis

In the absence of verifiable proof, a logical hypothesis indicates a relationship between variables. Assertions are based on inference or logic rather than evidence.

6. Empirical Hypothesis

An empirical hypothesis, often known as a “working hypothesis,” is one that is being researched right now. Empirical hypotheses, unlike logical assumptions, are supported by evidence.

7. Statistical Hypothesis

When you test a sample of a population and then use the collected statistical evidence to draw conclusions about the full population, you’ve generated a statistical hypothesis. You test a section of it and then make an educated guess about the rest based on the results.

A good hypothesis is written following the same format and guidelines. To write a good hypothesis, the below-mentioned information has to be added.

Causes and Effects: A hypothesis always includes a cause-and-effect relationship where one variable causes another to change or not change, depending on the type of hypothesis.

Measurable Prediction: Other than logical hypotheses, most hypotheses are designed to be tested. Before you commit to any hypothesis, make sure that it is experimented. Select a testable hypothesis involving an independent variable over which you can have complete control.

Dependent and Independent Variables: You can define the type of variables of your research for the readers.

Language used in a Hypothesis: Make sure to write the hypothesis in simple and clear language.

Adhere to Ethics: Before conducting your research, keep an eye on what you are experimenting with. Those hypotheses which are objectionable, questionable or taboo can be avoided unless they are absolutely necessary.

How to Write a Hypothesis?

A good hypothesis can be written in the following six steps.

Asking a Question

Arousing curiosity in the minds of the readers can be a good way to start a hypothesis. It would make the readers think about the topic critically.

Conducting a Preliminary Research

Before writing the hypothesis, it is essential to get background information regarding the topic. The preliminary research can be done through various web searches, reading books, etc.

Defining the Variables

After you have decided on your hypothesis, you can now decide on your variables. Keep in mind that the independent variables are the ones over which you have complete control and accordingly decide the limits of your hypothesis.

Writing the Hypothesis in the “if-then” Statement

While writing a hypothesis, keep in mind that it must be written in an “if-then” format statement which is a reliable method of expressing the causes and effects. A simple example would be, “If we water the plants daily, then they might grow really well.”

Collection of Adequate Data to Back the Hypothesis

A hypothesis is written to reach the conclusion of the research. After writing the hypothesis, the experiments can be conducted. See to it that you collect the adequate data needed to support the hypothesis.

Writing with Confidence

After you have collected enough data, you can start writing the hypothesis. Make sure you write confidently, without any errors. It would be good to get your writing counter-checked by an expert if you are not confident about it.

What is a hypothesis?

A hypothesis is a statement that explains the research’s predictions and the reasons behind the research. It is written based on various observations.

Why is a hypothesis important?

A hypothesis is important in an academic paper because it explains the result of the research problem. It will help the researcher, as well as the audience, to stay focused and not deviate from the main idea.

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