a presupposition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a presupposition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an assumption or belief that is taken for granted in a statement or argument. Example: "In the debate, the speaker's argument was based on a presupposition that everyone agreed with the initial premise."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is a presupposition of understanding and communicating with one another.

The New York Times

For him, time is not so much a presupposition of meaningful experience as a pervasive physical substance, rather like air or water but harder to pin down.

The Guardian

The very idea that thought should be without presuppositions, however, is itself a presupposition, and thus the system is never quite able to complete itself.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(3) is a presupposition of natural science.

SEP

What happens when a presupposition is false?

SEP

We say that "as" is a presupposition trigger.

SEP

Similarly, "this" is a presupposition trigger requiring something to refer to, the bare plural is a presupposition trigger requiring existence of multiple individuals, and "would" is a presupposition trigger requiring a salient future or hypothetical circumstance.

SEP

If a presupposition is involved, then contradiction arises, rendering 51 infelicitous.

Lingua Sinica

In many cases where a presupposition of an utterance is violated, the utterance is nevertheless understood.

SEP

A statement, according to Collingwood, may be either a proposition or a presupposition.

SEP

In the next subsection, I will show that this counterfactual component stands as a presupposition.

Lingua Sinica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a presupposition", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being assumed. Ambiguity can weaken your argument.

Common error

Avoid building arguments on unacknowledged presuppositions. Clearly articulate the underlying assumptions to strengthen the validity and transparency of your reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a presupposition" functions as a noun phrase within a sentence, often serving as the subject or object of a verb. Ludwig AI shows that it typically introduces an underlying assumption, belief, or condition taken for granted in a discussion or argument.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

19%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a presupposition" is a noun phrase that introduces an underlying assumption or belief taken for granted in an argument or statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in formal, scientific, and academic contexts. While it's similar to "an assumption" or "a premise", "presupposition" often implies a condition for a statement's meaningfulness. When writing, remember that clarifying underlying assumptions strengthens your arguments. The phrase's prevalence across authoritative sources like the SEP and The New York Times underscores its importance in clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an assumption

Replaces "presupposition" with a more general term for something taken for granted.

a basic assumption

Highlights that the assumption is fundamental or essential.

a tacit assumption

Highlights that the assumption is unstated or implied.

an underlying belief

Focuses on the belief as the foundation for a thought or action.

a premise

Suggests a foundation for an argument or conclusion.

a prior condition

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the assumption being made before something else.

a hidden premise

Implies that the assumption is not explicitly stated but is necessary for the argument to work.

a given

Indicates something accepted as fact, without needing proof.

a foundational principle

Indicates a core belief upon which other ideas are built.

a starting point

Emphasizes the role of the assumption as the beginning of a process or argument.

FAQs

How can I use "a presupposition" in a sentence?

You can use "a presupposition" to introduce an underlying assumption upon which an argument or idea is based. For example, "The argument operates on "a presupposition" that all participants have equal access to resources".

What phrases are similar to "a presupposition"?

Alternatives to "a presupposition" include "an assumption", "a premise", or "an underlying belief". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "presupposition" or "assumption"?

"Presupposition" is more formal and often implies a condition that must be true for a statement to be meaningful. "Assumption" is more general. In many cases, they're interchangeable, but "presupposition" adds a layer of logical dependency.

What happens if a presupposition is proven false?

If "a presupposition" is proven false, the argument or statement built upon it may become invalid or meaningless. It's crucial to identify and validate key presuppositions.