theory
Collocations
28(noun.)
ADJ
complete | partial
general
The teacher explained the general theory behind how plants grow and need sunlight.
coherent
unified
Scientists have spent decades searching for a unified theory that explains all the forces of nature.
current, new
classical
Scientists still debate whether the classical theory explains all the observations we see today.
pet
My grandfather has always held a pet theory about why his tomatoes grow so well.
conflicting | critical
abstract
The professor's lectures on abstract theory were interesting but difficult for most students to understand.
economic, legal, linguistic, literary, political, scientific, social, etc.
post-modernist, structuralist, etc.
Structuralist theory had a major influence on how scholars analyzed literature in the 1970s.
conspiracy
Many people believed the conspiracy theory that the moon landing was fake.
chaos, game, quantum, number, particle, probability, relativity, etc.
QUANT
set
Scientists have developed a whole set of theories to explain how climate change affects ocean currents.
VERB + THEORY
have, hold | advance, develop, formulate, produce, propose
work on
Scientists are working on a new theory that explains why some people sleep better at night.
refute | confirm, prove | disprove | challenge, test
THEORY + VERB
evolve | hold sth, suggest sth
PREP
in ~
In theory, students should study for at least two hours every evening.
~ about
She developed an interesting theory about how plants communicate with each other through their roots.
PHRASES
theory and practice
Learning to drive involves understanding both theory and practice before taking your test.