a blanket assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

"a blanket assumption" is a valid phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that is assumed to be true without checking or examining any further evidence. For example, "Employers often make a blanket assumption that all employees who work part time are not committed to their job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

As he said: "You can't make a blanket assumption about James's sexuality or his fiction or his life.

The New York Times - Books

"There is a blanket assumption that if we stop funding the arts my property taxes will go down, and that is not the case," said David Lee White, the associate artistic director for Passage Theater in Trenton.

The New York Times

They said the law required individual assessments of each inmate's personality and medical profile rather than a blanket assumption that all H.I.V.-positive inmates presented such a danger that there was no "reasonable accommodation" that could allow any to participate in normal prison life.

The New York Times

Similarly, during the Blu-ray/HD-DVD wars, there was a blanket assumption that this battle was clearly VHS/Beta, Part Two and hence the winner would inherit a big multi-year-growth market.

TechCrunch

For factor two, the nature of the original, Judge Evans does not make a blanket assumption, owing to instructions from the Eleventh Circuit, but looks at the nature of each excerpt.

Duke University

So what we are left with - intentional or otherwise - is a blanket assumption that these kiddos were sent to fat camp because they look...er...fat...er...fat

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"There is a blanket assumptions relating to all sexual behavior.

The New York Times

The government is understood to be considering changes to the refugee determination system to quickly reject more of the alleged "economic migrants", but Triggs said "a quickie process based on blanket assumption is directly contrary to Australia's obligation under international law, which provides that each individual must be assessed according to their own circumstances".

The Guardian

And from Nick, "As an Englishman, I'll make the blanket assumption the State of Western Australia is rubbish.

The Guardian - Sport

...field data show(s) that, where groundwater was found to exist as a resource, it is contaminated; (Chevron's) blanket assumption that impermeable clay occurs everywhere, rendering pit lining unnecessary, is false.

HuffPost

I don't know which was worse: Joe's blanket assumption that Sydney being attractive in a common sort of way guarantees her safety (Which, as we shall see, merely showed how dumb Joe is), or his revelation that he has "a little thing".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a blanket assumption", ensure you're aware of the potential for oversimplification and consider acknowledging the nuances that might be overlooked. For example, if you say "There is a blanket assumption that all teenagers are irresponsible", you may want to consider adding some nuance to it.

Common error

Avoid using "a blanket assumption" when a more limited assumption is actually being made. If the assumption only applies to a specific subset of people or situations, be precise in your wording.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a blanket assumption" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a widespread belief accepted without individual assessment. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts where such assumptions are challenged or questioned.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a blanket assumption" is a noun phrase referring to a widespread generalization applied without considering individual circumstances. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in news, science, and other writing contexts. While it's a valid phrase, it's important to be aware of the potential for oversimplification and to consider acknowledging the nuances that might be overlooked. Remember to avoid using "a blanket assumption" when a more limited assumption is actually being made. The key takeaway is to avoid hasty generalizations and to give appropriate weight to individual data points.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an overarching assumption

This suggests a comprehensive assumption covering many aspects, slightly broader than a simple blanket assumption.

a sweeping generalization

Focuses on the broad, often inaccurate nature of the assumption, highlighting potential oversimplification.

a broad presumption

Emphasizes the wide scope of the unverified belief, highlighting the lack of specific evidence.

a general presupposition

This emphasizes the idea of an underlying belief taken for granted beforehand, often unconsciously.

a universal assumption

Implies the assumption applies to everyone or everything, stressing the lack of exceptions.

an unsubstantiated claim

Highlights the lack of evidence supporting the assumption, focusing on its unproven nature.

an unverified premise

Stresses that the assumption hasn't been checked for accuracy, focusing on the lack of validation.

a baseless assertion

Emphasizes the lack of foundation or reason for the assumption, highlighting its potential invalidity.

a categorical assumption

Implies the assumption is made without regard to individual differences or nuances, highlighting rigidity.

a wholesale assumption

Suggests a complete and indiscriminate acceptance without examination, stressing the lack of critical thought.

FAQs

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

You can use "a blanket assumption" to describe a general belief that is applied without considering individual circumstances. For example, "It's a blanket assumption that older workers are resistant to new technology".

What's the difference between "a blanket assumption" and "a general assumption"?

"A blanket assumption" implies a more sweeping and less considered generalization, while "a general assumption" may be based on broader trends or patterns but not necessarily applied without thought. Blanket assumptions typically overlook nuances, but general assumptions may still consider them.

What are some alternatives to using "a blanket assumption"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a sweeping generalization", "an overarching assumption", or "a broad presumption".

Is it always negative to make "a blanket assumption"?

While the term often carries a negative connotation, it's not always inherently bad. Sometimes, a blanket assumption is a necessary starting point, but it's crucial to be aware of its limitations and be open to revising it with more specific information. The problem arises when the blanket assumption isn't revisited and remains unchallenged.