a big assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a belief or conclusion that is based on insufficient evidence or reasoning. Example: "Making a big assumption about someone's intentions can lead to misunderstandings and conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

This is a big assumption.

The Economist

That may be a big assumption.

The New York Times

But this is a big assumption.

The Guardian

And that's making a big assumption, too.

The Guardian - Money

PHILIP GOUREVITCH: I think that's a big assumption.

The New Yorker

"But it's a big assumption to make at this point".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

This is a very big assumption.

The Guardian

But that could be a fairly big assumption.

The New York Times

"It's a very big assumption that just because he wants to pull troops out, he'll be able to do it," he said.

The New York Times

There's a very big assumption baked into the analysis.

Forbes

You see what I mean, so you could do that for everyone and you can work out based on that kind of idea a tariff based on the big assumption that they actually already have the infrastructure to be CSAG compliant.

BMC Oral Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Qualify "a big assumption" with phrases like "assuming that" or "under the premise that" to clearly signal that you are presenting something uncertain.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a big assumption" as a fact. Always acknowledge its potential limitations and the consequences if it proves false.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big assumption" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or object within a sentence. It highlights a premise or belief that is significant and potentially questionable, as illustrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a big assumption" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to highlight a significant, potentially questionable premise, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its function is to express doubt and prompt critical evaluation in neutral to professional registers. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it serves to challenge the validity of arguments and plans. When employing this phrase, acknowledge its limitations and qualify the assumption, preventing its presentation as a hard fact. Remember, failing to do so can lead to misunderstandings and flawed conclusions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major premise

Replaces "assumption" with "premise", emphasizing the foundational nature of the belief.

a crucial presupposition

Substitutes "big" with "crucial" and "assumption" with "presupposition", highlighting the importance and underlying nature.

a significant supposition

Replaces "assumption" with "supposition" and "big" with "significant", indicating importance and conjecture.

a fundamental tenet

Substitutes "assumption" with "tenet" and "big" with "fundamental", indicating a core belief or principle.

a bold conjecture

Replaces "assumption" with "conjecture" and "big" with "bold", emphasizing the speculative and risky nature.

a risky hypothesis

Substitutes "assumption" with "hypothesis" and "big" with "risky", highlighting the uncertain outcome.

a sweeping generalization

Replaces "assumption" with "generalization" and "big" with "sweeping", suggesting a broad, possibly inaccurate claim.

a questionable inference

Replaces "assumption" with "inference" and "big" with "questionable", indicating doubt or uncertainty.

a precarious belief

Replaces "assumption" with "belief" and "big" with "precarious", highlighting the instability or unreliability.

an optimistic forecast

Implies that the assumption leans towards a positive prediction, which may or may not be grounded in reality.

FAQs

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

You can use "a big assumption" to point out a potentially flawed premise in an argument or plan. For example, "Assuming that the economy will improve is "a big assumption" given the current circumstances."

What phrases are similar to "a big assumption"?

Similar phrases include "a major premise", "a risky hypothesis", or "a sweeping generalization", all of which imply a degree of uncertainty or risk.

Is it always negative to describe something as "a big assumption"?

Not necessarily. While it often implies doubt, describing something as "a big assumption" can also serve as a neutral observation, prompting further investigation or qualification. The tone depends on the context.

What's the difference between "a big assumption" and "a small assumption"?

"A small assumption" suggests a minor, perhaps inconsequential, premise. Conversely, "a big assumption" implies a significant premise upon which much depends, and whose failure would have major consequences.