a fallacious assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fallacious assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a belief or idea that is based on a mistaken understanding or reasoning. Example: "The argument was built on a fallacious assumption that all participants had equal access to resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And that's a fallacious assumption".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The letter proceeded from a totally fallacious assumption, namely that the museum was refusing to negotiate".

The New York Times

The perhaps fallacious assumption at the Web site's heart is that every rap lyric has a meaning and that the meaning of every rap lyric should be unearthed.

The New York Times - Magazine

The assistant attorney general for legal policy, Viet D. Dinh, said analyzing the figures that way was misleading and led to the fallacious assumption that the sentences for crack were vastly greater than those involving powdered cocaine.

The New York Times

The effort to gain pay for college athletes also rests on the fallacious assumption that sport at the university is profitable.

Huffington Post

It's also the contradiction of a wider set of fallacious assumptions.

The Guardian

"To infer that an increase in oxycodone prescribing in the UK will lead to an increase in heroin use makes three or four utterly fallacious assumptions.

Vice

Only by recognizing error and abandoning fallacious assumptions can progress be achieved.

The New York Times

They also appear to be based on the same fallacious assumptions, notably that low-density development is inherently less efficient or environmentally sustainable than high-density settlement.

The New York Times

The intolerance at the root of this law is clear, as are its fallacious assumptions.

Huffington Post

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a fallacious assumption", clearly articulate why the assumption is flawed, providing evidence or reasoning to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "a fallacious assumption" simply as a label without explaining the nature of the fallacy. Instead, provide a clear explanation of why the assumption doesn't hold true and what evidence contradicts it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fallacious assumption" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "fallacious" modifies the noun "assumption". It describes the quality of the assumption being incorrect or misleading. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it's used when discussing mistaken understandings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fallacious assumption" is a noun phrase used to describe an incorrect or misleading premise, often identified and critiqued in academic, news, and professional settings. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes a belief based on a mistaken understanding. While the phrase is grammatically correct, it's important to clearly explain why the assumption is flawed when using it. Alternative phrases include "an incorrect assumption" or "a flawed premise", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an incorrect assumption

Replaces "fallacious" with a more common synonym, maintaining a similar level of formality.

a false assumption

Replaces "fallacious" with a more direct synonym, making the phrase slightly less formal.

a flawed premise

Shifts from "assumption" to "premise", implying a foundational error in reasoning.

a mistaken belief

Emphasizes the psychological aspect of holding an incorrect idea.

a deceptive assumption

Highlights the misleading nature of the assumption.

a groundless assumption

Implies that the assumption lacks any basis in fact or reason.

an erroneous presupposition

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey the idea of an underlying, incorrect assumption.

a specious assumption

Suggests the assumption appears correct but is actually false.

an unsubstantiated assumption

Focuses on the lack of evidence supporting the assumption.

an unfounded presumption

Similar to "unsubstantiated assumption", highlighting the lack of a solid foundation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fallacious assumption" to describe an idea or belief that is based on incorrect reasoning or information. For example, "The argument's conclusion was based on "a fallacious assumption" about the economy."

What are some alternatives to saying "a fallacious assumption"?

Alternatives include "an incorrect assumption", "a flawed premise", or "a mistaken belief". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What makes an assumption "fallacious"?

An assumption is "fallacious" when it is based on faulty logic, insufficient evidence, or a misunderstanding of the facts. It's an error in reasoning that undermines the validity of any conclusions drawn from it.

How does "a fallacious assumption" differ from a simple misunderstanding?

While both involve incorrect beliefs, "a fallacious assumption" implies a flaw in the reasoning process itself, rather than just a lack of information. A misunderstanding might be corrected with more data, but "a fallacious assumption" requires addressing the logical error.