Word of the day

Appearing to be the reason, though probably not the real one

adverb

The English word

ostensibly

English never changes here, whatever language you are reading in.

When to use it

This adverb does two things at the same time: it reports the reason that was officially given, and it quietly signals that the writer does not accept that reason as the true one. Two neighbouring adverbs sit close to it but are not the same - one of them leaves the writer half-convinced that the appearance is genuine, and the other is blunter, openly sceptical, and belongs to speech. This one is the cool, formal option: it withholds agreement without ever saying so, which is why it lives in journalism, academic argument and official reports and is almost never heard in casual conversation. It usually stands immediately before the stated purpose or the stated quality, and the rest of the sentence then undercuts it.

Examples

The commission was set up ostensibly to improve transparency, but its findings were never published. He was in Geneva ostensibly on holiday, though he spent every afternoon at the bank.

Goes with

ostensibly neutral ostensibly to discuss ostensibly independent ostensibly on the grounds that

Check yourself

Complete the sentence with the English word above.

1. The regulation was introduced ___ to protect small investors, though its main effect has been to shield the banks.

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