a challenging assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a challenging assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a belief or idea that is difficult to accept or prove. Example: "In our research, we encountered a challenging assumption that required further investigation to validate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For example, MIMIC models: require invariant loadings across the groups, a challenging assumption when working with understudied measures like the one here;[ 61] require invariant factor variances across the groups; lack formal hierarchical invariance tests; and may miss non-uniform bias.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In general, this is a fairly challenging assumption to test or support with confidence.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

This is indicative of a more subtle, and more computationally challenging, assumption embedded in estimates of land availability: the amount of agriculturally-viable land is taken as finite.

Biomass and Bioenergy

We did not discount CLABSIs or deaths in the base case analysis to avoid making the ethically challenging assumption that infections or deaths prevented in the future are worth less than they are in the present.

BMJ Open

These results show that phenotype sequencing will work well with a modest number of sequenced strains, even under our most challenging assumptions, for a range of typical target sizes.

Plosone

Everything Anderson wrote was boldly original, challenging assumptions by uncovering a neglected or suppressed voice.

The Guardian - Books

For many punks, looking distinct is a story of creativity, boundary-pushing and challenging assumptions.

WikiHow

The two served each other best by challenging assumptions at every turn; it was a mutual admonition society.

The New Yorker

In the same way that you can explore a problem laterally — such as by playing with words or challenging assumptions — you can also explore it at different "altitudes".

WikiHow

It was additional proof that the European Union was rethinking how it operated and challenging assumptions that had driven the project since it was founded half a century earlier.

Encyclopedia Britannica

According to Weiss and colleagues this enables bridging diverse cultures and boundary-spanning functions as well as revealing and challenging assumptions that limit thinking and action [ 51]. - Being a continuum, the concepts of 'innovative actions' and 'adaptation' were combined into the concept 'changes' within the 'action'-construct.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a challenging assumption", clearly articulate why the assumption is challenging. Provide context and explain the potential implications or difficulties it presents.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the difficulty of the assumption without providing sufficient justification. Ensure that the level of challenge aligns with the available evidence and the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a challenging assumption" functions as a noun phrase, where "challenging" modifies the noun "assumption". Ludwig shows it's used to identify an underlying belief that presents significant difficulties or complexities. The phrase highlights that the assumption in question is not straightforward and requires careful scrutiny.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a challenging assumption" is a noun phrase used to describe a premise that is difficult to accept, prove, or work with. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in science, news, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, clearly articulate the reasons why the assumption is considered challenging and provide sufficient context. Alternatives like "a difficult premise" or "a questionable assumption" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Avoid overstating the challenge without proper justification. Always aim to present an balanced view, acknowledging both the difficulties and the potential implications of working with such an assumption.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult assumption to accept

Emphasizes the difficulty in accepting the assumption as true or valid.

a problematic assumption

Highlights the potential issues or drawbacks associated with the assumption.

a questionable assumption

Indicates doubt or uncertainty about the validity of the assumption.

a debatable assumption

Suggests that the assumption is open to discussion and disagreement.

an unsubstantiated assumption

Points out the lack of evidence or support for the assumption.

a demanding assumption

Focuses on the rigor or strictness required for the assumption to hold true.

a complex underlying assumption

Highlights the intricate and possibly obscure nature of the assumption.

a controversial assumption

Implies that the assumption is likely to provoke disagreement or opposition.

a speculative assumption

Suggests that the assumption is based on conjecture rather than solid evidence.

a tenuous assumption

Indicates that the assumption is weak or unlikely to be true.

FAQs

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

You can use "a challenging assumption" to describe a premise that requires careful consideration or may be difficult to prove. For example, "The model relies on "a challenging assumption" about consumer behavior."

What are some alternatives to "a challenging assumption"?

Alternatives include "a difficult premise", "a problematic assumption", or "a questionable assumption". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "challenging assumption" or "difficult assumption"?

Both "challenging assumption" and "difficult assumption" are acceptable. "Challenging" often implies that the assumption requires significant effort to address or validate, while "difficult" simply indicates that it is hard to accept or prove.

What makes an assumption "challenging"?

A challenging assumption might be difficult to test, lack sufficient evidence, or have significant implications if proven false. It often requires further investigation or alternative approaches to overcome its inherent difficulties.