a positive assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a positive assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a belief or expectation that something will have a favorable outcome or is true in a beneficial way. Example: "In negotiations, it's often helpful to start with a positive assumption about the other party's intentions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Therefore the chance to commit a type I error ("a positive assumption is false") by doing multiple two-sample t-tests is avoided.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If an employee does something that's not in the best interest of the company or fellow employees, a consistent process that makes the positive assumption that a responsible adult will want to resolve the problem and treats people with respect is followed.

Huffington Post

Participants felt that self-competency was strengthened by a family member's positive assumptions about their management skills.

BMC Public Health

If they are not working for you to create a positive culture that reflects your positive assumptions about people, they're working against you.

Huffington Post

If you had graduated from an Ivy League school there were all of these incredibly positive assumptions that came with that.

Huffington Post

CAM use was assessed in several ways: We used an appraisal score that included positive experiences with CAM as well as positive assumptions regarding CAM modalities that have not been tried by the participants themselves.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The survey based its positive assumptions partly on sound consumer fundamentals like low unemployment and partly on a September poll of 1,000 consumers, 82percentt of whom said they planned to spend at least as much as they did last year.

The New York Times

When pressed by Senator Evan Bayh, Democrat of Indiana, about the basis for his positive assumptions, he cautioned: "The Champagne bottle has been pushed to the back of the refrigerator.

The New York Times

When looking at return migrants and entrepreneurship, it can be observed that policies and programmes are also sometimes developed based on overly positive assumptions.

IZA Journal of Development and Migration

People don't mind positive assumptions.

Huffington Post

"Our policies and procedures communicate our positive assumptions about Knight employees".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "a positive assumption", ensure it's balanced with realistic assessments. Over-reliance on positive assumptions without considering potential downsides can lead to flawed strategies and unexpected negative outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "a positive assumption" as a substitute for thorough analysis. Blindly assuming positive outcomes without supporting evidence can undermine credibility and lead to poor decision-making.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a positive assumption" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'positive' modifies 'assumption'. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. It introduces a belief or expectation that something will have a favorable outcome.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a positive assumption" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce an optimistic viewpoint or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various writing contexts, particularly in science and news, though it appears less frequently than other similar phrases. When using it, balance the inherent optimism with realistic assessments and supporting evidence to maintain credibility. Consider alternative phrases like "an optimistic expectation" or "a favorable presumption" depending on the formality of your writing. Remember to avoid overgeneralization and naive applications by grounding the "positive assumption" in thorough analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an optimistic expectation

Replaces "assumption" with a word that emphasizes hopefulness and expectation.

a favorable presumption

Uses "presumption" to convey a belief that is taken for granted, and "favorable" to indicate a positive outlook.

a constructive belief

Highlights the belief's positive impact and intention.

a hopeful outlook

Shifts the focus to a general perspective characterized by hope.

a confident anticipation

Emphasizes assurance and expectation regarding a positive outcome.

a sanguine expectation

Uses "sanguine" to denote cheerfulness and optimism in expectation.

a bright prospect

Focuses on the potential for a positive outcome in the future.

an encouraging prediction

Highlights the supportive and uplifting nature of the prediction.

a promising forecast

Uses "forecast" to suggest a prediction based on current trends, emphasizing potential.

a rosy view

Expresses a cheerful and optimistic perspective on a situation.

FAQs

How can I incorporate "a positive assumption" into my writing effectively?

Use "a positive assumption" to introduce a hopeful outlook or a beneficial expectation, ensuring you balance it with realistic analysis and supporting evidence to maintain credibility. For instance, instead of just stating a plan will succeed, frame it as "starting with "a positive assumption" of market growth, we've also prepared contingency plans".

What are some alternatives to using "a positive assumption" in a formal context?

In formal settings, consider using phrases like "an optimistic expectation", "a favorable presumption", or "a constructive belief" to maintain a professional tone while conveying a similar sense of hopeful anticipation.

Is it always appropriate to make "a positive assumption" in professional settings?

While "a positive assumption" can foster a collaborative and forward-thinking environment, ensure it is grounded in data and realistic assessments. Overly optimistic assumptions without due diligence can lead to unrealistic goals and potential setbacks. It is about being optimistic without being detached from reality.

How does "a positive assumption" differ from simply being naive or unrealistic?

"A positive assumption" involves a deliberate choice to view a situation optimistically, often as a starting point for planning or problem-solving. In contrast, naivety or unrealistic thinking lacks the grounding in reality and contingency planning that should accompany a well-considered positive assumption.