My initial assumption was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "My initial assumption was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a thought or belief you had at the beginning of a discussion or analysis before considering new information. Example: "My initial assumption was that the project would take three months to complete, but after further evaluation, I realized it would require more time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The other day, I got stuck behind a little Honda Civic hatchback that was swerving back and forth, crossing over into the lane on its left and then the lane on its right a few tiMys before finitialslassumptionits brakes in deference to the red light and, in turn, the various non-moving cars in front of it.

TechCrunch

There's no doubt the product is slickly marketed, with plenty of invitations to "change the world" together, which is fine but it's the underlying strength of the product that struck me more than anything, so I got straight onto the web and started investigating; my initial assumption was that there must be hundreds of Augmented Reality products like this one on the market.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Wiley's initial assumption was that CIJA would end up, at best, building cases against regional commanders.

The Guardian

Management's initial assumption was that the sales team had an unfair advantage and that territories or the quota system needed to be reconfigured.

Harvard Business Review

Perhaps because she looks and sounds so much like a French and Saunders skit, the initial assumption was that Honey G was a knowing parody, maybe even the work of a professional comedian.

The Guardian - Opinion

The initial assumption was that people were motivated to buy insurance because of the mandate — if an individual did not get insurance, he or she would face a fine.

The Washington Post

When people who had been receiving the old incapacity benefit were retested to see if they were eligible for the new employment and support allowance (ESA), the initial assumption was that 23% of people who went through the test would be found fit for work.

The Guardian

However, as the initial assumption was for elastic state, the model is valid for elastic low stress, or the accuracy of model reduces using plastic high stress state.

Construction and Building Materials

The same committee gave serving and retired Metropolitan Police bosses a roasting earlier today (while they accused News International of trying to thwart their investigations), and the initial assumption was that the News Corp bosses would decline to appear before MPs, citing the need to deal with police questions and possible court cases first.

The Economist

The initial assumption was confirmed by the study that the implementation of a personality-oriented learning will be possible, if the training is designed as a co-communicative learning and cognitive activity of teachers and students which aimed at their development.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Our initial assumption was that creating a fun and interactive way for users to subscribe to topics would get them to complete the process without much friction.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "My initial assumption was", clearly state how your assumption changed or was proven wrong. This demonstrates critical thinking and intellectual honesty.

Common error

Avoid presenting "My initial assumption was" without discussing how your understanding evolved. Omitting the subsequent realization or correction makes the statement incomplete and potentially misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "My initial assumption was" functions as a discourse marker introducing a previously held belief or hypothesis. It sets the stage for a discussion where that assumption is either confirmed, challenged, or revised. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "My initial assumption was" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase for indicating a prior belief or hypothesis. While less common overall, it finds application in news, scientific, and academic writing. According to Ludwig AI, it's deemed correct for use in written English. When employing this phrase, be sure to follow up with an explanation of how that assumption evolved or was proven. Alternative phrases include "I initially thought" or "At first, I believed", offering different shades of meaning and emphasis. As always, context is key to effectively integrating "My initial assumption was" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I initially thought

Replaces "assumption" with "thought", focusing on the mental process.

My original idea was

Substitutes "assumption" with "idea", indicating a plan or concept.

At first, I believed

Emphasizes the initial belief before further information.

I had initially presumed

Replaces "assumption" with "presumed", suggesting a belief without proof.

My starting point was

Focuses on the initial basis or foundation of an argument.

Initially, I considered

Highlights the act of considering something at the beginning.

My preliminary understanding was

Replaces "assumption" with a more formal "understanding".

The initial premise I operated under was

Uses "premise" to indicate a foundational assumption.

I originally envisioned

Implies a mental image or expectation at the beginning.

My first impression led me to believe

Emphasizes the role of a first impression.

FAQs

How can I use "My initial assumption was" in a sentence?

Use "My initial assumption was" to introduce a prior belief before presenting new information or a revised understanding. For example, "My initial assumption was that the project would be simple, but I soon realized its complexity".

What phrases are similar to "My initial assumption was"?

Similar phrases include "I initially thought", "At first, I believed", or "My original idea was". These alternatives can add variety to your writing while conveying the same meaning.

Is it better to say "My initial assumption was" or "I initially assumed"?

Both phrases are correct. "My initial assumption was" emphasizes the assumption itself, while "I initially assumed" focuses on the act of assuming. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

How do I correct or refine my "initial assumption"?

After stating your "initial assumption", provide evidence, data, or reasoning that led you to revise your thinking. This shows intellectual growth and a willingness to learn from new information.