a debatable assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a debatable assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a claim or belief that is open to disagreement or differing opinions. Example: "The study is based on a debatable assumption that all participants have the same level of prior knowledge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is a debatable assumption.

The New York Times

However, most of the previous ranking-based methods either follow a debatable assumption or have unsatisfied robustness.

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But that estimate was based on a highly debatable assumption -- that Congress would adhere to onerous spending caps it set in 1997 to achieve a balanced budget.

The New York Times

Except that the story was slapped back to life and forced to undergo one warping after another: five more television series (including an animated version) and no fewer than ten feature films, all of them based on the debatable assumption that you can take a format designed to last fifty minutes and stretch it out to twice that length, then pray that the thinness doesn't show.

The New Yorker

Even if we make the debatable assumption that this is true, it won't be clear to many that a public school teacher could justifiably attempt to bring it about that her or his students believed this to be so.

SEP

Thus, these estimations rely on the debatable assumption that IMAT is distributed homogeneously along the muscle's length.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Currently, perhaps the most debatable assumption is that all QTN can be discovered with perfect precision, which is not possible with livestock datasets of the size that are presently available.

Genetics, Selection, Evolution

But these laws rest on a couple of highly debatable assumptions: that artifacts should remain in whatever country they were found, and that the best way to protect archaeological sites is to restrict the international trade in antiquities.

The New York Times - Science

In the present case, this allows one to describe the image as an impressive accomplishment from an artistic or aesthetic point of view (which it surely is), but still criticize it as an image which conveys a fallacious argument with questionable premises and debatable assumptions.

SEP

In addition, there are many debatable assumptions regarding the most practical pathways to certain careers.

The New York Times

Some caveats: The authors note that the data available to estimate biomass is spotty, so they made some debatable assumptions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a debatable assumption", ensure you provide context or evidence to explain why the assumption is open to debate. This adds credibility to your analysis.

Common error

Avoid presenting your analysis as definitively correct when it relies on "a debatable assumption". Acknowledge the potential impact of the assumption's uncertainty on your conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a debatable assumption" functions as a noun phrase, where "debatable" modifies the noun "assumption". It highlights that the assumption in question is not universally accepted and is open to discussion and disagreement. Ludwig shows it is often used to introduce a point that requires further justification.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a debatable assumption" is a phrase used to introduce a claim that's open to discussion. Ludwig's analysis, which indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct, confirms its usability in various contexts like news, science, and encyclopedias. Related phrases include "a questionable premise" and "a disputable hypothesis". A key writing practice is to justify why the assumption is debatable, while avoiding overstating the certainty of your analysis. This phrase is relatively rare but useful for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a questionable premise

Replaces "assumption" with "premise", highlighting the foundation of an argument being open to doubt. Similar because both refer to the basis of a claim that isn't universally accepted.

a disputable hypothesis

Substitutes "assumption" with "hypothesis", framing it as a testable idea that might be challenged. Similar because both are subject to scrutiny and potential rejection.

a contestable claim

Uses "claim" instead of "assumption", emphasizing the assertiveness of the statement being questioned. Similar because both imply a statement that can be argued against.

a challengeable belief

Replaces "assumption" with "belief", focusing on the personal conviction that is open to debate. Similar because both involve a position that others might disagree with.

an arguable point

Rephrases the entire expression, focusing on the aspect of being open to argument. Similar as highlights the discussion, but changes the noun.

a contentious idea

Substitutes "assumption" with "idea", emphasizing the controversial nature of the concept. Similar because both are subject to scrutiny and potential rejection.

a contentious proposition

Uses "proposition" instead of "assumption", emphasizing the formal nature of the statement being questioned. Similar because both imply a statement that can be argued against.

a shaky presupposition

Replaces "assumption" with "presupposition", highlighting the underlying nature of the idea and how fragile the statement is. Similar because both involve a position that others might disagree with.

a questionable foundation

Focuses on the base on which something is standing, while highliting its lack of reliability. Similar as highlights the base of something that can be debated.

a precarious starting point

Uses "starting point" instead of "assumption", underlining the initial step of reasoning which is high risk. Similar because both imply a statement that can be argued against.

FAQs

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

You can use "a debatable assumption" to introduce a claim or belief that is open to disagreement or differing opinions. For example: "The study is based on "a debatable assumption" that all participants have the same level of prior knowledge."

What are some alternatives to "a debatable assumption"?

You can use alternatives like "a questionable premise", "a disputable hypothesis", or "a contestable claim" depending on the context.

What makes an assumption "debatable"?

An assumption is "debatable" when there is reasonable evidence or argument to suggest it might not be true, or when its truth depends on specific conditions that are not universally accepted.

Is it always wrong to base an argument on "a debatable assumption"?

No, it's not always wrong. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the assumption is debatable and to consider how the argument's conclusion might change if the assumption proves false. Transparency is key.