a popular assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a popular assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a widely held belief or idea that many people accept as true. Example: "It is a popular assumption that eating carrots improves your eyesight, but scientific evidence does not fully support this claim."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

There is a popular assumption that the military establishment is fully behind it but there are as many opinions among the UK's senior officers – serving and retired – as there are outside.

The Guardian

Nonetheless, a popular assumption regarding the whirlwind world tour to promote yet another untimely Hollywood extravaganza in which human devastation contains a high entertainment component is that Miss Holmes, many years Cruise's junior, has somehow fallen under the spell of a scheming Svengali.

The Guardian - Film

Official figures say that 85% of students finish high school, but the Urban Institute and other groups estimate that nearly a third of them drop out.The result is a popular assumption that American education from kindergarten to 12th-grade high-school graduation (K-12) is in crisis.

The Economist

As for most differential equations, the Lipschitz condition is a popular assumption as regards the uniqueness of the local solution.

Advances in Difference Equations

The results contradict a popular assumption among scientists that new neurons in the hippocampus contribute to the cognitive boost that comes with a more stimulating environment.

Science Magazine

The idea contrasts with a popular assumption called Metcalfe's Law that values networks based on the square of the number of users.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"Every country has a problem disposing of unwanted money," explains Mr Ferenczi, challenging a rather popular assumption, "so they come to Hungary to find out how to do it".

BBC

On the one hand, there is no doubt that consequentialism is a deeply impartial moral theory; on the plausible and popular assumption that a moral theory must be deeply impartial, consequentialism meets this criterion with flying colors.

SEP

The medical journal also explodes the popular assumption that a stillborn baby had something wrong with it and "was never meant to be".

The Guardian

Time scales for chemical reactions, devolatilization and turbulence are extracted and compared, to study the level of turbulence chemistry particle interactions in flame A and to test the popular assumption of equilibrium chemistry in coal combustion modeling.

Combustion and Flame

Given the popular assumption that a region is complex if and only if it is extended (better: not-point-like), this amounts to the claim that simple things do not have extended exact locations roughly, that there are no extended simples.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a popular assumption", consider clarifying whether the assumption is actually valid or if it is being challenged or debunked.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a popular assumption" as fact without providing supporting evidence or acknowledging alternative perspectives. Always critically evaluate the assumption's validity in your context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a popular assumption" functions as a noun phrase, introducing a statement that is generally accepted or believed by many. It often serves as a starting point for discussion or argument, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a popular assumption" serves as a noun phrase to introduce ideas widely accepted, often as a prelude to discussion or critique. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common use across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Science. While seemingly straightforward, awareness of appropriate usage, such as clarifying its validity, is key. Alternatives like "a widely held belief" or "conventional wisdom" can provide nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a widely held belief

Replaces "assumption" with "belief", emphasizing the acceptance of the idea by many people.

the accepted wisdom

Emphasizes that the assumption is not only common but also considered correct or wise.

a prevalent notion

Uses "prevalent" and "notion" to convey the widespread nature of the idea in a more formal tone.

a conventional wisdom

Suggests the assumption has been accepted for a long time and is considered a standard belief.

a common misconception

This alternative suggests that the assumption is not only popular, but also incorrect.

the prevailing view

Focuses on the dominance and widespread acceptance of the assumption.

a standard presumption

Replaces "popular" with "standard" and "assumption" with "presumption", giving a slightly more formal tone.

a general understanding

Highlights that the assumption is part of a broader, shared understanding.

a widespread presupposition

Similar to assumption, but suggests that the idea is taken for granted before further investigation.

a typical expectation

Shifts the focus to what people commonly expect to be true, rather than a belief.

FAQs

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

You can use "a popular assumption" to introduce a widely held belief, often to then question or challenge it. For example: "A popular assumption is that more funding automatically leads to better educational outcomes, but this isn't always the case."

What's the difference between "a popular assumption" and "a common belief"?

While similar, "a common belief" generally refers to something widely accepted as true, whereas "a popular assumption" often implies something taken for granted, potentially without sufficient evidence.

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

You can use alternatives like "a widely held belief", "a prevalent notion", or "conventional wisdom" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to start a sentence with "a popular assumption"?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "a popular assumption" can sometimes sound a bit clunky. Consider rephrasing for better flow, such as "It's a popular assumption that..." or "Many people assume that..."