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Preposition after adjective

Plausible to, plausible for, or plausible in?

Plausible commonly appears with to and for. Plausible in is uncommon and usually introduces a context rather than a fixed pattern.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with plausible?

Use plausible to someone when an idea seems believable to a person. Use plausible explanation or reason for something. Plausible in is usually only used when referring to a context or situation.

The excuse sounded plausible to the manager.
They offered a plausible explanation for the delay.
The theory seems plausible in that historical context.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
plausible to + person

Showing who finds something believable

Use plausible to before the person who judges an idea or explanation.

His story seemed plausible to the police.
The proposal was not plausible to investors.
2
plausible explanation for + noun

Giving a believable reason

Use plausible with explanation, reason, or account followed by for.

We need a plausible explanation for the missing files.
She gave a plausible reason for leaving early.
3
plausible in + context

Describing a believable idea within a situation

Plausible in usually refers to a setting, model, or context rather than a fixed adjective-preposition combination.

The dialogue feels plausible in a modern setting.
The ending is more plausible in the revised version.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
plausible to
The claim sounded plausible to the committee.
believable from someone's point of view
plausible for
They found a plausible explanation for the error.
connected to the thing being explained
plausible in
The scenario seems plausible in theory.
believable within a context or framework
plausible about
There was nothing plausible about his story.
about introduces the topic; it is not the main adjective pattern

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using plausible for a person

Use plausible to before a person.

✕ The story was plausible for me. ✓ The story was plausible to me.

Using plausible in without a context

Plausible in usually needs a setting or framework.

✕ The answer is plausible in. ✓ The answer is plausible in this situation.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Her explanation sounded ___ the audience.
2. They offered a plausible reason ___ the delay.
3. The theory seems plausible ___ that historical setting.

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Frequently asked questions

Can plausible be followed directly by a noun?

Yes. Common combinations include plausible explanation and plausible excuse.

Is plausible in common?

It is less common and usually refers to a context or situation.

Can I say plausible for someone?

Not usually. Use plausible to someone instead.

packed-with-to-in-on, into "paid for" or "paid up"? painful for, to, in, at or of? "palatable to" or "palatable for"? "pale in" or "pale of"? "pandemic of" or "pandemic in"? "paramount to" or "paramount in"? paranoid about, of, in, with or over? partial to, of, in, towards or for? participating in, of, on, at or for? "particular about" or "particular to"? part-time at, in, for, as or with?

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