a fundamental assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fundamental assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a basic belief or principle that underlies a theory, argument, or system. Example: "In our research, we start with a fundamental assumption that all participants will respond honestly to the survey questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's a fundamental assumption of Western political philosophy.

Yale University

Underlying private initiatives is a fundamental assumption that charitable giving will continue unabated.

The New York Times

A fundamental assumption of the tcp protocol is that packet losses indicate congestion on the network.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

A fundamental assumption underlying twin research, the equal environments assumption, is also explained and illustrated.

Twin Mythconceptions False Beliefs, Fables, and Facts About Twins

Dr. Pearson questions a fundamental assumption of biocontrol — that pest enemies of the weeds are the factor that controls them.

The New York Times - Science

A fundamental assumption in this country is that African Americans can't possibly be smart enough to figure everything out themselves.

Harvard Business Review

Additivity of proportions, a fundamental assumption in linear mixing models, cannot be readily expressed in log-ratio terms.

Sedimentary Geology

SSST is also a fundamental assumption in the use of cosmogenic radionuclides (CRN) to estimate erosion and weathering rates.

Geoderma

A fundamental assumption that hobbled the military's planning was that Iraq's ministries and institutions would continue to function after Mr. Hussein's government was toppled.

The New York Times

It is a fundamental assumption of statistical mechanics that a closed system with many degrees of freedom ergodically samples all equal energy points in phase space.

Nature

But the best reason to reject the idea is that it violates a fundamental assumption by voters that their election system is fair.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Before building an argument, make sure that the "a fundamental assumption" is valid to avoid the entire argument falling apart.

Common error

Failing to explicitly state "a fundamental assumption" can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations of your work. Always make your core assumptions transparent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fundamental assumption" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a basic, underlying belief or principle. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to introduce a concept that serves as the foundation for an argument, theory, or system. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its role in various contexts, from scientific research to political philosophy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

29%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fundamental assumption" is a crucial phrase for establishing the underlying basis of an argument, theory, or system. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various fields. The phrase functions as a noun phrase with the purpose of ensuring clarity and transparency. It is most frequently used in scientific, news and media, and academic contexts. Related phrases such as "a core assumption" or "a basic premise" can be used as alternatives to add variety to your writing. When using this phrase, it is best practice to clearly articulate the assumption to avoid misunderstandings and ensure the validity of your reasoning. Failing to acknowledge or explicitly state "a fundamental assumption" is a common error that can undermine the credibility of your work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pivotal assumption

Emphasizes the critical importance of the assumption.

a core assumption

Highlights the assumption's centrality to a system or argument.

a basic premise

Focuses on the foundational nature of the assumption as a starting point.

a central tenet

Implies a key principle or belief that something is based on.

a key supposition

Highlights the assumption as an underlying belief that may or may not be explicitly stated.

an underlying assumption

Stresses the implicit and often unacknowledged nature of the assumption.

a foundational principle

Elevates the assumption to the level of a guiding rule or doctrine.

a governing principle

Suggests the assumption dictates the operation or behavior of a system.

a cornerstone belief

Highlights that the belief is indispensable or essential.

a working hypothesis

Presents the assumption as a provisional starting point for further investigation.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a fundamental assumption" in a sentence?

Start by identifying the core belief or principle upon which your argument or analysis rests. Then, clearly state this as "a fundamental assumption" before proceeding with your reasoning. For example, "A fundamental assumption of this study is that participants will provide honest responses."

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a fundamental assumption"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a core assumption", "a basic premise", or "an underlying assumption". Each subtly shifts the emphasis while conveying a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "a fundamental assumption" and "a hypothesis"?

"A fundamental assumption" is a foundational belief accepted as true for the sake of argument, while a hypothesis is a testable statement that requires evidence to support or refute it. A hypothesis is generally part of the scientific method while "a fundamental assumption" may come before that.

When is it necessary to explicitly state "a fundamental assumption"?

It's crucial to state "a fundamental assumption" when it's not self-evident, when it significantly influences your conclusions, or when your audience might reasonably question its validity. Transparency enhances the credibility of your work.