a blanket assertion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a blanket assertion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a statement that is made in a general or sweeping manner without considering specific details or exceptions. Example: "The politician's claim that all citizens support the new policy was merely a blanket assertion that lacked evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But those officials cautioned that it is impossible to make a blanket assertion that Al Qaeda possesses no nuclear material.

The New York Times

She then makes a blanket assertion that the latter are so inherently bad that their actual record of government is irrelevant.

The Guardian

If the heart of an archival institution is their collections, how can a blanket assertion that using only one type of methodology be plausible, given that collections can be used to leverage support from the community, stakeholders, and funding agencies?

Columbia University

A Vermont judge ruled yesterday that Howard Dean could not use a blanket assertion of "executive privilege" to shield from public view more than half of the papers he assembled over 11 years as governor.

The New York Times

A1 A Vermont judge ruled that Dr. Dean could not use a blanket assertion of executive privilege to shield from public view papers he assembled over 11 years as governor.

The New York Times

She cites exam regulator Ofqual's decision to drop speaking and listening from the requirements of GCSE English and the decision to stop marks from science practicals from counting towards a student's final GCSE grade as "clear examples of awful policy-making, and Labour should not make a blanket assertion that 'we're not going to touch GCSEs'".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Indeed, Fernando Guerra, an expert on Hispanic politics at Loyola Marymount University, who disdains Bendixen's blanket assertion, nevertheless says that he has "a gut feeling that about 10percentt of the Latinos who are voting for Hillary are voting against Obama because he's African-American".

The New York Times - Magazine

"Nothing in the record supports Argentina's blanket assertion that the injunctions will plunge the republic into a new financial and economic crisis," he said.

The New York Times

He reiterated his blanket assertion of innocence, saying he would remain in Canada "until everything is completely resolved to my absolute satisfaction".

The New York Times

Of course, that blanket assertion is simply not true.

TechCrunch

That blanket assertion of safety may not be true.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When critiquing an argument, using the phrase "a blanket assertion" can effectively highlight the lack of nuance or supporting evidence in the original statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a blanket assertion" without clearly explaining why the statement in question is overly general or lacks sufficient justification. Provide specific examples or counterarguments to strengthen your critique.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a blanket assertion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It identifies a statement characterized by its breadth and lack of specific support. Ludwig AI identifies it as correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a blanket assertion" is a noun phrase used to critique overly general statements lacking evidence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriate use in written English. While not extremely common, the phrase appears mostly in news and academic contexts. Remember to provide specific context and reasoning when employing this phrase to maximize its impact and avoid generalizations in your own writing. Several alternatives exist, such as ""a sweeping claim"" or ""an unsubstantiated statement"", allowing for subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sweeping claim

Emphasizes the breadth and scope of the statement.

a broad generalization

Focuses on the lack of specificity and potential for inaccuracy.

an unsubstantiated statement

Highlights the absence of supporting evidence.

an unsupported allegation

Implies a potentially damaging claim lacking proof.

a categorical declaration

Stresses the unqualified and definitive nature of the statement.

an across-the-board statement

Indicates the statement applies uniformly to all cases.

a wholesale judgment

Conveys a sense of totality and lack of individual consideration.

a general pronouncement

Highlights the formal or official nature of the statement.

a blanket charge

Highlights the accusatory nature of the assertion

a sweeping pronouncement

Emphasizes the authoritative and comprehensive nature of the statement.

FAQs

How can I use "a blanket assertion" in a sentence?

You can use "a blanket assertion" to describe a statement that is made in a general or sweeping way without considering specific details or providing evidence. For example, "His argument was dismissed as "a blanket assertion", lacking any empirical support".

What are some alternatives to "a blanket assertion"?

Alternatives include "a sweeping claim", "a broad generalization", or "an unsubstantiated statement". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to call something "a blanket assertion"?

Yes, the phrase "a blanket assertion" typically carries a negative connotation. It implies that the statement is overly broad, lacks sufficient evidence, and may be inaccurate or misleading.

What's the difference between "a blanket assertion" and "a hypothesis"?

A hypothesis is a proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation, whereas "a blanket assertion" is presented as a fact without proper support. A hypothesis invites scrutiny, while "a blanket assertion" attempts to shut down discussion.