a common assumption is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common assumption is" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a widely held belief or idea that is often taken for granted. Example: "A common assumption is that all students learn at the same pace, but this is not always the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Benefits of Being Fit Though Fat A common assumption is that people who are fat cannot possibly be fit.

The New York Times - Health

A common assumption is that both are sunk.

The Economist

A common assumption is that fire destroys fingerprint evidence.

Science & Justice

A common assumption is that such aggregation reactions are nonspecific processes.

Nature

Moreover, a common assumption is that elimination of redundancy leads to improved efficiency (coverage time).

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

A common assumption is that England's different laws exist to protect fusty privilege, such as the birthrights of eldest sons.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

A year ago, a common assumption was that Enron could become a domino that would knock down much of Houston.

The New York Times

A common assumption was that it wouldn't.

The New York Times - Science

A common assumption was an annual operating profit of about $1.5 billion.

The New York Times

Landscape structure and fragmentation have important effects on ecosystem services, with a common assumption being that fragmentation reduces service provision.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

A common assumption was that it would not be clear until Tuesday, the eve of Mr. Clinton's scheduled departure for Japan, whether the talks are "going in the right direction or not," the official added.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a common assumption is" to introduce a statement that many people accept as true, but which might need further examination or qualification.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "a common assumption is". Vary your sentence structure to keep your writing engaging. Consider alternatives such as "it is widely believed that" or "the prevailing view is".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common assumption is" functions as an introductory phrase. It sets the stage for a statement that is often accepted as true, but may be subject to scrutiny or further explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a common assumption is" serves as a prevalent introductory phrase, particularly in Science, News & Media, and Formal & Business contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and wide applicability make it suitable for various writing styles, from neutral to formal. It's used to introduce a premise that's generally accepted but potentially requires further examination. Related alternatives include "it is generally assumed that" and "the prevailing view is". While a valuable tool, writers should avoid overusing the phrase to maintain engaging prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is generally assumed that

Replaces "a common assumption is" with a more direct statement of general acceptance.

it is widely believed that

Emphasizes the breadth of the belief rather than focusing on it as an assumption.

a prevalent notion is that

Substitutes "assumption" with "notion" to suggest a possibly unexamined idea.

the prevailing view is that

Indicates the most accepted perspective on a matter.

it is often thought that

Focuses on the frequency of the thought or idea.

people often presume that

Highlights that the idea is a presumption rather than a certainty.

many people assume that

Directly attributes the assumption to a large group of people.

a widespread belief is that

Similar to "widely believed", but uses "belief" instead of "asssumption".

the conventional wisdom is that

Implies the assumption has been around for a long time and is generally accepted.

it's a common understanding that

Shifts the focus to shared understanding rather than assumption.

FAQs

What does "a common assumption is" mean?

The phrase "a common assumption is" introduces a belief or idea that is widely accepted or taken for granted by many people. It often precedes a statement that may or may not be entirely accurate or require further examination.

How can I use "a common assumption is" in a sentence?

You can use "a common assumption is" to introduce a generally held belief. For example, "A common assumption is that all swans are white, but black swans exist in Australia."

What are some alternatives to "a common assumption is"?

You can use alternatives like "it is generally assumed that", "it is widely believed that", or "the prevailing view is" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a common assumption is"?

Use "a common assumption is" when you want to introduce an idea that is generally accepted, but you also want to imply that it may not be entirely accurate or that it needs further qualification. This can be useful when presenting counter-arguments or alternative perspectives.