a key assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing an important belief or premise that underlies an argument, theory, or analysis. Example: "In our research, a key assumption is that all participants will respond honestly to the survey questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A key assumption is that the climate sensitivity inferred today also applies to the distant future.

Nature

We also highlight a key assumption, that the capacity for Bayesian beliefs is subject to constraints.

Evolution and Human Behavior

A key assumption is that the model's error terms are normally distributed.

NeuroImage

A key assumption is that agents do not take into account possible future changes to the network.

Harvard University

By the time they realize a key assumption was flawed, it's too late to stanch the bleeding.

Harvard Business Review

A key assumption in the field was that there is no fundamental difference between public and private organizations.

Britannica

Criteria on gas injection conditions were identified for ensuring gas temperature homogeneity, a key assumption made by fuelling protocols.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Unfortunately, the treatment is dependent upon a key assumption: 'Failures of versions for each component are statistically independent…' (Section 2).

Reliability Engineering & System Safety

It's not terrible advice but it rests on a key assumption: that parents emerge into their role the same way behavioural psychologists see their children, tabula rasa.

The Guardian - Opinion

A key assumption in the empirical application of rational decision theory is that of procedure invariance; preferences are independent of how they are elicited.

Yale University

A key assumption underpinned Romney's appearance in Allentown — that the working class whites who once dominated this great industrial center would back the Republican nominee.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Before building an argument on "a key assumption", critically evaluate its validity. Question whether the assumption holds true under various conditions and consider potential counterarguments.

Common error

Avoid building arguments on implicit assumptions. If something is "a key assumption", it must be explicitly acknowledged and, if possible, justified rather than left unstated, as this can weaken your reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key assumption" functions as a noun phrase identifying a significant underlying belief or premise. As Ludwig AI highlights, it underscores an important element that supports a particular argument or theory. It serves to pinpoint a foundational element.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

12%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a key assumption" is a frequently used noun phrase that denotes a significant underlying belief or premise. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Predominantly found in formal and scientific contexts, it serves to establish a basis for reasoning and analysis. When using this phrase, it is best practice to explicitly state and justify the assumption, while avoiding reliance on unacknowledged implicit assumptions. Alternatives such as "a central premise" or "a fundamental presupposition" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a central premise

Replaces "assumption" with "premise" and "key" with "central", emphasizing the foundational nature of the belief.

a fundamental presupposition

Uses "presupposition" to denote something assumed beforehand, and "fundamental" in place of "key" indicating a basic, underlying idea.

a core belief

Substitutes "assumption" with "belief", focusing on the acceptance of something as true, and "key" with "core", highlighting centrality.

an essential precondition

Highlights the necessary condition aspect of the assumption, framing it as something that must be true beforehand.

a primary tenet

Uses "tenet" to refer to a principle or belief held as true, and "primary" as a synonym for "key", signifying importance.

a basic expectation

Replaces "assumption" with "expectation", focusing on what is anticipated or considered likely, and "key" with "basic" focusing on fundamentals.

a main supposition

Substitutes "assumption" with "supposition", indicating something assumed to be true, and "key" with "main", indicating the most important.

a critical element

Shifts the focus to the importance of the assumption as a necessary part of a larger whole, using "critical" in place of "key".

a significant hypothesis

Highlights the assumption as a testable proposition, using "hypothesis" and replacing "key" with "significant".

a notable premise

Emphasizes the noteworthiness of the underlying belief, replacing "assumption" with "premise" and "key" with "notable".

FAQs

What does "a key assumption" mean in academic writing?

In academic writing, "a key assumption" refers to a fundamental premise or belief upon which an argument, theory, or analysis is based. It is an underlying idea that is taken as true for the purpose of the discussion or research. Recognizing and stating these assumptions is important for transparency and intellectual honesty.

How can I identify "a key assumption" in a text?

To identify "a key assumption", look for statements that are presented as facts without extensive proof, or ideas that the author seems to take for granted. Consider what beliefs must be true for the author's argument to hold. Sometimes, assumptions are stated explicitly; other times, they are implied.

What are some alternatives to "a key assumption"?

You can use alternatives like "a central premise", "a fundamental presupposition", or "a core belief" depending on the context.

Why is it important to acknowledge "a key assumption" in research?

Acknowledging "a key assumption" is crucial because it helps readers understand the foundation of your argument and assess its validity. If the assumption is flawed, the entire argument may be undermined. Transparency about assumptions enhances the credibility of your work.