1
general::
noun making guesses about sth ADJ. considerable, intense, much, widespread | further, increasing, renewed | continuing, endless | pure | mere Whether or not he will get the job is mere speculation. | wild | idle, fruitless | rife Speculation was rife as to whom the prince might marry. | media, press | metaphysical, philosophical VERB + SPECULATION cause, encourage, fuel, give rise to, increase, intensify, invite, lead to, prompt, raise | dampen, discourage, end, put an end to | dismiss | indulge in PREP. amid ~ He was dropped from the team amid speculation that he was seriously ill. | ~ among There was wild speculation among the students as to the reason for cancelling the lecture. | ~ about/as to/on/over There has been increasing speculation over the future of the monarchy. PHRASES a matter for speculation, a subject of speculation buying and selling for profit ADJ. financial | market | currency, land, property, etc. PREP. ~ against speculation against the euro | ~ in speculation in oil | ~ on speculation on the stock market
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
2
general::
speculation
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + speculation
pure/mere speculation
(= not based on any knowledge )
• A government official yesterday dismissed the reports as ‘pure speculation’.
wild/idle speculation
(= unlikely to be true )
• Such fears are wild speculation.
intense speculation
• The reason for his resignation was the subject of intense speculation.
widespread speculation
• There was widespread speculation about his political plans.
renewed speculation
• The move has prompted renewed speculation that an election will be held in April.
press/media speculation
• She appealed for an end to press speculation about her marriage.
verbs
lead to/prompt/give rise to speculation
(= result in it )
• This development led to speculation that she was about to resign.
fuel speculation
(= make it increase )
• The announcement has fueled speculation that the company will be the target of a takeover bid.
dismiss speculation
(= say that it is not true )
• He dismissed speculation that he might run for president.
end speculation
• Smith has ended speculation about his future by signing a new contract.
phrases
be a matter for speculation
(= be unknown )
• The precise nature of the deal is a matter for speculation.
be the subject of speculation
(= be thought and guessed about )
• His role in the affair has been the subject of speculation in the press.
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