Preliminary assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Preliminary assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing initial beliefs or hypotheses that are subject to further investigation or confirmation. Example: "Our preliminary assumption is that the new marketing strategy will increase sales by at least 20%."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Preliminary assumption testing was conducted to check normality and homogeneity of variance with no serious violations noted.

Journal of Big Data

Preliminary assumption testing was conducted before multivariate analyses to check for normality, linearity, univariate and multivariate outliers, and for homogeneity of variance matrices, and no serious violations were noted.

Plosone

Preliminary assumption testing was conducted to check normality, linearity, univariate and multivariate outliers, homogeneity of variance-covariance matrices and muticollinearity, with no serious violations noted.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

All preliminary assumption checks were completed using the car package in R (Fox & Weisberg [2011]).

Large-scale Assessments in Education

The behavioral ecologists are making the preliminary assumption that a trait is an adaptation in order to test other hypotheses about it they "pretend as if" the trait were an adaptation, and use that assumption to detect deviations from optimality that might reveal interesting tradeoffs and constraints the nature of the deviation can suggest what might be missing from the model.

SEP

In these tests, the preliminary assumption was the existence of homogeneity of variance and not normal distribution [39].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It ensures structural and parametric identification without preliminary assumptions about the working model.

Electrochimica Acta

In this section, we give some basic notations, the preliminary assumptions throughout this paper, as well as some useful results.

Advances in Difference Equations

The paper takes its cue from the Porter hypothesis to make some broad preliminary assumptions to inform the research design.

Journal of Cleaner Production

Preliminary assumptions that are considered in the development of the models in this work are discussed in "Preliminaries to molecular propagation model".

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Given certain preliminary assumptions, this indicated to EPA that groundwater concentrations would need to be less than 1 part per billion--which would mean billions of dollars to clean up contamination.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "Preliminary assumption", clearly state the basis for the assumption and acknowledge its tentative nature to avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "Preliminary assumption" as a definitive fact. Use hedging language to indicate its tentative status and the need for further evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Preliminary assumption" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a belief or idea accepted as true as the basis for reasoning or further investigation, though it might not yet be proven. This is confirmed by Ludwig, which identifies the phrase as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Preliminary assumption" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in written English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to introduce an initial belief or hypothesis that requires further investigation. While it appears most frequently in scientific contexts, it is suitable for formal writing in general. When employing this phrase, ensure the tentative nature of the assumption is clear. Some alternatives, like "initial hypothesis" or "working hypothesis", may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. Remember not to present a "Preliminary assumption" as a definitively true or proven point.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Initial hypothesis

Focuses on the initial nature of the proposition being considered.

Tentative hypothesis

Emphasizes the provisional and unconfirmed nature of the assumption.

Assumed starting point

This alternative indicates the assumption is the basis of further actions.

Working hypothesis

Highlights the practical use of the assumption for ongoing work.

Early supposition

Highlights the timing and uncertain nature of the assumption.

Initial premise

Emphasizes the logical foundation upon which an argument or theory is built.

Provisional belief

Focuses on the tentative acceptance of something as true.

Starting point

Shifts the focus to the role of the assumption as a basis for further investigation.

Base expectation

Emphasizes the fundamental nature of the assumption as a starting point.

First approximation

Highlights that the assumption is a simplified representation of reality.

FAQs

How can I use "Preliminary assumption" in a sentence?

You can use "Preliminary assumption" to introduce an initial belief or hypothesis that needs further investigation. For example, "Our preliminary assumption is that the new drug will show positive results in the clinical trial."

What's the difference between "Preliminary assumption" and "working hypothesis"?

While both terms suggest a starting point for investigation, "Preliminary assumption" is a broader term, while "working hypothesis" specifically implies an assumption used actively in ongoing research or analysis.

What can I say instead of "Preliminary assumption"?

You can use alternatives like "initial hypothesis", "tentative assumption", or "working hypothesis" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "Preliminary assumption" in formal writing?

Yes, "Preliminary assumption" is suitable for formal writing, especially in scientific or academic contexts where initial assumptions are often stated before presenting evidence or analysis.