a dubious assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

"a dubious assumption" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a questionable belief or assertion. For example, you could say, "The investigation was conducted under the dubious assumption that the suspect was guilty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

That the production was intended to resonate with the aftermath of Sept. 11 is probably a dubious assumption.

The New York Times

They presumed that the companies would keep most of their market share, a dubious assumption considering past performance.

The New York Times

(A methodological note: I am projecting caucus delegates out in states like Iowa and Maine on the assumption they are proportional to the straw-poll vote there, a dubious assumption in practice.

The New York Times

This is a dubious assumption, especially in reservoirs with a high production rate in the beginning.

Petroleum Science

Although comments were mainly favourable, specific concerns were either that it was a dubious assumption to speculate that it would not be necessary to close the genome or that the advance provided by these results were specific to this particular strain.

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But this is a highly dubious assumption.

The Economist

(That assumes, of course, that there are jobs to be had — an increasingly dubious assumption).

The New York Times

In assessing the potential contribution of new U.S. missiles, a critical (and dubious) assumption is that the United States would disperse them among several secure bases in each region of concern.

Huffington Post

"In Chicago, they like to say the NHL lockout cost the city $2m a day," an estimate based on the dubious assumption that 20,000 people would not go elsewhere in Chicago and spend $100 per person.

The Guardian - Business

There's a ripe example at Stratford-on-Avon right now, where Thomas Middleton's A Mad World My Masters has been "edited" by Sean Foley and Phil Porter on the dubious assumption that modern audiences are too dumb to understand it.

The Guardian

This latter suggestion seemed to involve a "myth of the given" (Sellars 1956), or the dubious assumption that there was something given in our experience that was entirely un-interpreted by our understanding.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a dubious assumption", clearly articulate why the assumption is questionable. Providing context or evidence to support your assessment strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "a dubious assumption" when the assumption is clearly false or easily disproven. Opt for stronger language, such as "a false premise" or "an incorrect belief", to more accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dubious assumption" functions as a noun phrase, where 'dubious' is an adjective modifying the noun 'assumption'. It's used to characterize a particular assumption as questionable or doubtful. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dubious assumption" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express doubt or skepticism about the validity of an assumption. While Ludwig AI states that it's usable in various contexts, it's most commonly found in news, media and scientific writing, indicating a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, ensure you provide context to clarify why the assumption is questionable. Consider alternatives such as "a questionable assumption" or "a suspect assumption" to fine-tune the nuance. Remember to avoid overstating the dubiousness when stronger terms are more accurate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a questionable assumption

Replaces 'dubious' with 'questionable', implying a similar level of uncertainty but possibly less strong doubt.

a suspect assumption

Substitutes 'dubious' with 'suspect', suggesting that the assumption is viewed with distrust or suspicion.

an unreliable assumption

Replaces 'dubious' with 'unreliable', focusing on the lack of dependability of the assumption.

a shaky assumption

Uses 'shaky' instead of 'dubious', indicating a lack of solid foundation or evidence for the assumption.

a tenuous assumption

Replaces 'dubious' with 'tenuous', highlighting the weak or flimsy nature of the assumption.

an unfounded assumption

Replaces 'dubious' with 'unfounded', emphasizing the lack of a valid basis or justification for the assumption.

a groundless assumption

Similar to 'unfounded', this emphasizes the complete lack of basis for the assumption.

a flawed assumption

Implies the assumption has inherent problems or defects.

a challengeable assumption

Focuses on the fact that the assumption can be easily opposed or disputed.

a contestable assumption

Similar to 'challengeable', it means the assumption can be debated or questioned.

FAQs

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

You can use "a dubious assumption" to express skepticism about a statement or belief. For example, "The plan's success hinges on "a dubious assumption" that consumer spending will increase."

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

Alternatives include "a questionable assumption", "a suspect assumption", or "an unreliable assumption", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to describe something as "a dubious assumption"?

It's appropriate when you believe an assumption is questionable or lacks sufficient evidence, but you can't definitively prove it false. It suggests a degree of skepticism rather than outright rejection.

What makes an assumption "dubious"?

An assumption can be considered "dubious" if it's based on limited information, contradicts established facts, or relies on overly optimistic projections. It implies the assumption is open to doubt and further scrutiny.