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Common collocations with theory in American Collocation

theory noun

US /ˈθiəri/

relating to particular subject or ideas

cultural
economic
ethical
evolutionary
linguistic
literary
mathematical
moral
political
scientific
social
sociological

Next, I shall outline some developments in recent social theory.

disagreeing with one another

competing
conflicting

The report covers the various competing theories in a fair and balanced way.

sensible and likely to be useful

coherent
consistent
logical
plausible
sound

The Administration’s policies no longer conformed to any coherent theory of socio-economic development.

well-established

accepted
classical
conventional
established
mainstream
standard
traditional

According to accepted scientific theory, the core of a planet as small as Mercury should have cooled down by now.

important or major

dominant
key
major

A belief in unrestrained free markets was the dominant economic theory for almost 30 years.

different from what is generally accepted

alternative
new
novel
revolutionary

The position is unsatisfactory, but so far no alternative theory has emerged to explain this phenomenon.

develop a theory

construct
develop
formulate

The aim of the research is to develop a theory that can account for all situations.

offer a theory for people to consider

advance
expound
outline
propose
propound
put forward

This theory was first put forward in a paper at a conference.

show or suggest that a theory is wrong

contradict
disprove
refute

When a theory is refuted by scientists, the community tries to find another, better theory.

apply a theory

apply
test

Assignments are designed to help you to apply theory to practice.

combine theory with practice

combine
integrate

On the Nursing degree, you will learn to integrate theory and practice.