a flawed assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a flawed assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a belief or idea that is incorrect or based on faulty reasoning. Example: "The project's failure was largely due to a flawed assumption about the market demand for the product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

As George Monbiot has pointed out, this is a flawed assumption.

The Guardian

He said the advertisements were "based on a flawed assumption that people are going to pay a lot of attention to advertising during the summer".

The New York Times

Constructive debate about Medicare's costs, however, is hampered by a flawed assumption that both helps and is reinforced by the health care industry: that more care -- and more expensive care -- is better care.

The New York Times

But the department's biggest problem, the agency said, is a flawed assumption that distorts all of its analyses: that "oil sands crude will find a way to market with or without" the Keystone pipeline.

The New York Times

The success of a research mathematician depends on recognizing his or her own errors (not having the teacher point them out for you!), correcting them, and also recognizing when a flawed assumption nevertheless has a grain of truth in it.

The New York Times

"It's a flawed assumption that if youth services were to spin out they would flourish in the open market," says Richardson. "It's a really difficult market, and at the end of the day, we're not businesswomen, we're youth workers trying to run a business".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

That could well prove a seriously flawed assumption if a number of complex evolving factors are at work".

Environmental Sciences Europe

Founded on a fundamentally flawed assumption, all the math in the world wouldn't have fixed his model.

TechCrunch

It has been shown that gender is a structure, a structure built on this flawed assumption that nature has only two categories.

Huffington Post

How many times have child protection professionals in the police and elsewhere made the flawed assumption that a child will not co-operate?

The Guardian - Opinion

But his Feb. 9 Op-Ed article, "Peace, One Very Small Step at a Time," demonstrates a flawed basic assumption when he says Yasir Arafat, the Palestinian leader, "favors peace".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When identifying "a flawed assumption", provide evidence or reasoning to support your claim. Clearly explain why the assumption is incorrect or problematic to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences of "a flawed assumption" without sufficient justification. While it's important to highlight the problem, ensure your claims are proportionate and supported by evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a flawed assumption" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies an underlying belief or premise that is incorrect or contains errors in its reasoning. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a flawed assumption" is a noun phrase used to identify an incorrect or weak underlying belief. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its frequency is classified as uncommon. This phrase is prominent in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, reflecting its role in critical analysis. When using this phrase, it's vital to provide evidence to support the claim that the assumption is, in fact, flawed. Related phrases include alternatives like "a fallacious assumption" or "an incorrect assumption". Understanding and appropriately using "a flawed assumption" enhances one's ability to engage in logical discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fallacious assumption

Replaces "flawed" with "fallacious", indicating a deceptive or misleading quality in the assumption.

an incorrect assumption

Uses a more direct term, "incorrect", to describe the assumption's inaccuracy.

a mistaken belief

Substitutes "assumption" with "belief", emphasizing the personal conviction behind the idea.

an unsound premise

Replaces both "flawed" and "assumption" with "unsound premise", highlighting the shaky foundation of an argument.

a questionable premise

Replaces "flawed" with "questionable", focusing on the uncertainty or doubtfulness of the premise.

a dubious assumption

Uses "dubious" to indicate the assumption is of uncertain or questionable validity.

a faulty premise

Uses "faulty" to indicate a defect in the basis of the reasoning.

a misguided premise

Uses "misguided" to suggest the premise is based on faulty understanding or judgment.

an untenable assumption

Uses "untenable" to mean the assumption cannot be defended or maintained.

a shaky premise

Uses "shaky" to describe the instability and unreliability of the assumption.

FAQs

How can I identify "a flawed assumption"?

Look for statements presented as fact that lack sufficient evidence or logical support. Consider whether alternative explanations or perspectives exist that contradict the assumption. If the supposed fact leads to inconsistencies or illogical outcomes, it might be "a flawed assumption".

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

You can use alternatives like "a fallacious assumption", "an incorrect assumption", or "a mistaken belief" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "a flawed assumption" and "a hypothesis"?

"A flawed assumption" is a belief taken as true without proper justification, whereas a hypothesis is a testable statement proposed as an explanation for a phenomenon. A hypothesis is subject to verification, while "a flawed assumption" is often presented as if it already is fact.

Is it always negative to identify "a flawed assumption"?

Identifying "a flawed assumption" is generally a critical and analytical move, implying a mistake in reasoning or evidence. The goal isn't necessarily negative, but rather to encourage more accurate and reliable thinking.