在論文寫作中，theoretically常當作連接副詞 (conjunctive adverb) 使用，其後要加逗點，作「理論上而言…」來引介出句中的意義。當然theoretically只是副詞，不是真正的連接詞，但因它可使前後文詞義的邏輯關係連結起來，才稱之為連接副詞。在此種用法中，theoretically可以代換成in theory，例句：
．Theoretically, middle school graduates entering tertiary institutions
should have learned English for at least six years. They should have a
fairly sound background in English grammar and pronunciation.
理論上而言，要進入大學的中學畢業生至少都學過六年的英文。他們應該對英文文法和發音具備相當扎實的背景。
而在論文寫作中，theoretically若不當連接副詞，而是作一般副詞使用時，多數是加在形容詞前面，形成以下的搭配詞組。
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搭配詞例句
．The researcher introduces his readers to several theoretically
grounded methods.
研究者介紹讀者幾種有理論基礎的方法。
．Only critical analysis of these issues will lead to theoretically sound
approaches to curriculum development.
只有批判性分析這些議題，才能在課程發展上得到理論健全的方法。
．It is theoretically possible to do research this way, but it is
inefficient.
如此作研究在理論上是可行的，但卻是缺乏效率的。
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搭配詞例句
．This theoretically flawed notion does not have any relevance for
second language learning.
這個理論上有瑕疵的概念與第二語言學習無關。
．He claims that the two types of tests, though theoretically different, could be placed along a continuum ranging from highly integrative at the one end to highly discrete-point at the other.
他宣稱這兩種測驗雖然在理論上不同，但可視為一連續體，從一端的高度整合至另一端的高度單項式試題。
句型練習
以下例句為句型練習，讀者可依本身的研究領域填入空格，以熟悉搭配詞句型。
1. Theoretically, these results suggest that __________________.
理論上而言，這些結果指出……。
2. ____________ can provide a theoretically sound basis for __________________.
……可提供……一個理論上健全的基礎。
3. Although this distinction between ____________ and ____________ is important theoretically, we do not believe that it is always necessary to differentiate them in practice.
雖然……和……的區別在理論上很重要，但我們覺得在實務上並不必要區分兩者。
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