Theory vs. Approach — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Theory and Approach
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Definitions
Theory➦
A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena.
Approach➦
To come near or nearer, as in space or time
Spring approaches.
Theory➦
A theory is a rational type of abstract thinking about a phenomenon, or the results of such thinking. The process of contemplative and rational thinking is often associated with such processes as observational study or research.
Approach➦
(Sports) To make an approach, as in golf.
Theory➦
The branch of a science or art consisting of its explanatory statements, accepted principles, and methods of analysis, as opposed to practice
A fine musician who had never studied theory.
Approach➦
To come or go near or nearer to
Approached the tunnel.
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Theory➦
A set of theorems that constitute a systematic view of a branch of mathematics.
Approach➦
To come close to, as in appearance, quality, or condition; approximate
The performance approaches perfection.
Theory➦
Abstract reasoning; speculation
A decision based on experience rather than theory.
Approach➦
To make a proposal or overtures to with a specific end in view
Approached the administration for a raise.
Theory➦
A belief or principle that guides action or assists comprehension or judgment
Staked out the house on the theory that criminals usually return to the scene of the crime.
Approach➦
To begin to deal with or work on
Approached the task with dread.
Approached the issue from a historical perspective.
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Theory➦
An assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a conjecture.
Approach➦
The act of approaching
The approach of night.
Theory➦
A description of an event or system that is considered to be accurate.
Approach➦
A fairly close resemblance; an approximation.
Theory➦
(sciences) A coherent statement or set of ideas that explains observed facts or phenomena and correctly predicts new facts or phenomena not previously observed, or which sets out the laws and principles of something known or observed; a hypothesis confirmed by observation, experiment etc.
Approach➦
A way or means of reaching something; an access
An approach to the bridge.
Theory➦
(uncountable) The underlying principles or methods of a given technical skill, art etc., as opposed to its practice.
Approach➦
The method used in dealing with or accomplishing
A logical approach to the problem.
Theory➦
(mathematics) A field of study attempting to exhaustively describe a particular class of constructs.
Knot theory classifies the mappings of a circle into 3-space.
Approach➦
An advance or overture made by one person to another.
Theory➦
A hypothesis or conjecture.
Approach➦
The golf stroke following the drive from the tee with which a player tries to get the ball onto the putting green.
Theory➦
A set of axioms together with all statements derivable from them; or, a set of statements which are deductively closed. Equivalently, a formal language plus a set of axioms (from which can then be derived theorems). The statements may be required to all be bound (i.e., to have no free variables).
A theory is consistent if it has a model.
Approach➦
The steps taken prior to executing a competitive maneuver, as by a diver before diving forward from a springboard or by a bowler before delivering the ball.
Theory➦
A doctrine, or scheme of things, which terminates in speculation or contemplation, without a view to practice; hypothesis; speculation.
Approach➦
The part of the area behind the foul line in a bowling alley used by a bowler in delivering the ball.
Theory➦
An exposition of the general or abstract principles of any science; as, the theory of music.
Approach➦
(intransitive) To come or go near, in place or time; to move toward; to advance nearer; to draw nigh.
Theory➦
The science, as distinguished from the art; as, the theory and practice of medicine.
Approach➦
To play an approach shot.
Theory➦
The philosophical explanation of phenomena, either physical or moral; as, Lavoisier's theory of combustion; Adam Smith's theory of moral sentiments.
Approach➦
Used intransitively, followed by to: to draw near (to someone or something); to make advances; to approximate or become almost equal.
He approaches to the character of the ablest statesman.
Theory➦
A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena;
Theories can incorporate facts and laws and tested hypotheses
True in fact and theory
Approach➦
Of an immovable object or a number of such objects: to be positioned as to (notionally) appear to be moving towards (a place).
As we drove along the driveway, the trees approaching the house seemed more eerie.
Theory➦
A tentative theory about the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena;
A scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory
He proposed a fresh theory of alkalis that later was accepted in chemical practices
Approach➦
To move toward (someone or something) in place, time, character, or value; to draw nearer to.
“Would counsel please approach the bench?” asked the judge.
He approached the age of manhood.
Theory➦
A belief that can guide behavior;
The architect has a theory that more is less
They killed him on the theory that dead men tell no tales
Approach➦
(transitive) To bring (something) near something else; to cause (something) to draw near.
Approach➦
(transitive) To attempt to make (a policy) or solve (a problem).
Approach➦
(transitive) To bring up or propose to (someone) an idea, question, request, etc.
Approach➦
To have sexual intercourse with (someone).
Approach➦
To take approaches to (a place); to move towards (a place) by using covered roads, trenches, or other works.
Approach➦
An act of drawing near in place or time; an advancing or coming near.
Approach➦
An act of coming near in character or value; an approximation.
Approach➦
An avenue, passage, or way by which a building or place can be approached; an access.
Approach➦
(climbing) A path taken to reach the climbing area, for example, from a car park, road, etc.
Approach➦
(figuratively) A manner of making (a policy) or solving (a problem, etc.).
Approach➦
(archaic) An opportunity of drawing near; access.
Approach➦
The way an aircraft comes in to land at an airport.
Approach➦
A specific procedure used for approaching and landing at an airport.
We flew the RNAV/GPS A approach to runway 16.
Approach➦
(bowling) The area before the lane in which a bowler may stand or run up before bowling the ball.
Approach➦
To come or go near, in place or time; to draw nigh; to advance nearer.
Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city?
But exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Approach➦
To draw near, in a figurative sense; to make advances; to approximate; as, he approaches to the character of the ablest statesman.
Approach➦
To bring near; to cause to draw near; to advance.
Approach➦
To come near to in place, time, or character; to draw nearer to; as, to approach the city; to approach my cabin; he approached the age of manhood.
He was an admirable poet, and thought even to have approached Homer.
Approach➦
To take approaches to.
Approach➦
The act of drawing near; a coming or advancing near.
A nearer approach to the human type.
Approach➦
A access, or opportunity of drawing near.
The approach to kings and principal persons.
Approach➦
Movements to gain favor; advances.
Approach➦
A way, passage, or avenue by which a place or buildings can be approached; an access.
Approach➦
The advanced works, trenches, or covered roads made by besiegers in their advances toward a fortress or military post.
Approach➦
See Approaching.
Approach➦
A stroke whose object is to land the ball on the putting green. It is made with an iron club.
Approach➦
That part of a flight during which an airplane descends toward the landing strip.
Approach➦
The steps taken by a bowler just before delivering the ball toward the pins.
Approach➦
Ideas or actions intended to deal with a problem or situation;
His approach to every problem is to draw up a list of pros and cons
An attack on inflation
His plan of attack was misguided
Approach➦
The act of drawing spatially closer to something;
The hunter's approach scattered the geese
Approach➦
A way of entering or leaving;
He took a wrong turn on the access to the bridge
Approach➦
The final path followed by an aircraft as it is landing
Approach➦
The event of one object coming closer to another
Approach➦
A tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reactions of others;
She rejected his advances
Approach➦
The temporal property of becoming nearer in time;
The approach of winter
Approach➦
A close approximation;
The nearest approach to genius
Approach➦
A relatively short golf shot intended to put the ball onto the putting green;
He lost the hole when his approach rolled over the green
Approach➦
Move towards;
We were approaching our destination
They are drawing near
The enemy army came nearer and nearer
Approach➦
Come near or verge on, resemble, come nearer in quality, or character;
This borders on discrimination!
His playing approaches that of Horowitz
Approach➦
Begin to deal with;
Approach a task
Go about a difficult problem
Approach a new project
Approach➦
Come near in time;
Winter is approaching
Approaching old age
Approach➦
Make advances to someone, usually with a proposal or suggestion;
I was approached by the President to serve as his adviser in foreign matters
