a central assertion

USAGE SUMMARY

"a central assertion" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an assertion or idea that is a major part or main point of a statement or argument. For example, "In his essay, the author makes a central assertion that poverty is a major cause of homelessness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Democrats accused him of "flip-flopping" on a central assertion of his candidacy.

The New York Times

That practice arises, he said, when an anonymous source is the basis for an article's premise or a central assertion.

The New York Times

One official close to the report challenged a central assertion of the prime minister that divisions within regions themselves were wider than any north-south split.

The Guardian

In the trial of Peter Gotti now under way, a central assertion of the prosecutors is that Mr. Gotti followed one of those old patterns they have been videotaping for years.

The New York Times

The panel rejected a central assertion of the Air Force general counsel's report last June, which found "no systemic acceptance of sexual assault at the academy" or institutional avoidance of responsibility".

The New York Times

The oil and gas giant denies the charge and says that a central assertion of the complaint is "completely inaccurate".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"The films bear vivid and intimate witness to the report's central assertion that each child with a disability is a sister, brother or friend with dreams and the desire to fulfill them – a child who has the same rights as any other girl or boy," he said.

Unicef

A qualitative approach to data collection and analysis was appropriate given the central assertion regarding subjective perspectives.

Global Health Action

The first report, published in September, is now under question because of its central assertion that Iraq's chemical and biological weapons were in such a state of readiness that they could be launched within 45 minutes.

The New York Times

Rather, the central assertion by the plaintiffs is that the Obama Administration violated the law itself.

The New Yorker

Historians not connected to the Kerry campaign dispute the central assertion of the film, that Mr. Kerry was responsible for prolonging the war and the prisoners' torture.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a central assertion" when you want to emphasize that a particular statement is the most important or fundamental point being made. Make sure the context clearly supports this assertion's centrality.

Common error

Avoid using "a central assertion" if the statement is merely important but not truly the core, foundational point of the argument or discussion. Misusing it can weaken your writing by diluting the impact of what is genuinely most important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a central assertion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It highlights the core claim or statement being presented. As Ludwig AI explains, it refers to an assertion that is a major part or main point of a statement or argument.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a central assertion" is a noun phrase used to highlight the most important claim or statement in an argument or discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it pinpoints the core idea. Its usage is most common in news, media, and scientific contexts, and the expression carries a neutral to formal tone. When writing, use this phrase to draw attention to the foundational points of your argument, but be careful not to overstate the centrality of less important statements. Consider alternatives such as "a key claim" or "a core argument", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key claim

Replaces "assertion" with "claim", emphasizing the declarative nature of the statement.

a core argument

Substitutes "assertion" with "argument", highlighting the reasoning and support behind the statement.

a main thesis

Replaces "assertion" with "thesis", indicating a more formal and developed argument or proposition.

a fundamental premise

Changes "central assertion" to "fundamental premise", focusing on the underlying assumption or foundation of an argument.

a primary contention

Replaces "assertion" with "contention", suggesting a point that is argued for or against.

a pivotal statement

Substitutes "assertion" with "statement", emphasizing the importance and influence of the declaration.

a basic proposition

Replaces "assertion" with "proposition", denoting a statement that expresses a judgment or opinion.

a chief point

Changes "central assertion" to "chief point", simply highlighting the main idea or message.

a critical belief

Replaces "assertion" with "belief", highlighting the subjective and conviction-based nature of the claim.

a major tenet

Substitutes "assertion" with "tenet", implying a principle or doctrine held as true.

FAQs

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

You can use "a central assertion" to introduce the main point of an argument or theory, such as: "A central assertion of the theory is that economic inequality leads to social unrest."

What are some alternatives to "a central assertion"?

Alternatives include "a key claim", "a core argument", or "a main thesis", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "a central assertion" and "a central theme"?

"A central assertion" refers to a specific statement being presented as true, while "a central theme" refers to a recurring idea or topic explored throughout a work.

When is it appropriate to use "a central assertion" in writing?

Use "a central assertion" when you need to identify and highlight the most important statement or claim within a larger discussion or analysis. It's particularly useful in academic and formal writing.