a problematic assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

"a problematic assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a supposition that is uncertain or has potential to be proven wrong. For example, "One problematic assumption made by the researchers is that the study participants would remain anonymous."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Central to the psycho-behavioural thesis is a problematic assumption: that if people believe they have a moral duty to respect nature or believe that natural things are intrinsically valuable, then they really will act in more environmental-friendly ways.

SEP

To say you like black women highlights a problematic assumption that all of them act, or look, the same.

Vice

(Surely, I don't need to make mention that there's a problematic assumption there from Mr. Levant, whose co-commenter also adds the Algonquin senator comes from a "tougher neighbourhood" than Trudeau).

Vice

A problematic assumption of these models, however, is that they do not incorporate the aforementioned increasing costs of increasingly-complex accumulated knowledge.

Plosone

In the setting of an observational cohort study this is a problematic assumption when using exposure at study baseline.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Here, each individual is assumed to contribute to the group's decision with equal weight (e.g. [ 1])—a potentially problematic assumption given that many animal groups are composed of members differing in age, experience, skill, social rank and so forth.

Biology Letters

Under liquidity-trap conditions, this is a very problematic assumption, and I don't mean to drop my skepticism for other purposes.

The New York Times

A second problematic assumption of standard economic models is that people are properly attentive to all relevant costs and benefits, even those that are uncertain, or that occur in the distant future.

The New York Times

On this question, Mr. Ellis is noncommital: "While we can never know for sure," he writes, "the balance of historical scholarship over the last 40 years has made that a highly problematic assumption".

The New York Times - Books

There's also a really problematic assumption in the United States that if you don't believe in God, you're not a moral and ethical person.

Vice

It is generally assumed that all degrees of freedom are in thermodynamic equilibrium (a sometimes problematic assumption).

Accounts of Chemical Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a problematic assumption", be prepared to articulate why the assumption is problematic. Providing specific reasons or evidence strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "a problematic assumption" when a simpler term like "an assumption" suffices. Overusing the adjective "problematic" can weaken your writing. Reserve it for cases where the assumption truly poses a significant challenge or risk.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a problematic assumption" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates its use in identifying suppositions that may lead to issues.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a problematic assumption" is a common expression used to identify a belief or premise that may be flawed, uncertain, or lead to negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and suitable for use in various contexts, particularly in science, news, and academic writing. When employing this phrase, be prepared to explain why the assumption is problematic, providing specific reasons or evidence to support your claim. While the phrase is useful for highlighting potential weaknesses, avoid overuse, as it can dilute its impact and consider contextually relevant alternatives to strengthen your writing. Some authoritative sources that employ this phrase are The New York Times, The Guardian and Vice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a questionable premise

Replaces "assumption" with "premise", implying the foundation itself is doubtful.

a dubious supposition

Uses "dubious supposition" to emphasize the uncertainty and potential invalidity of the assumption.

a flawed hypothesis

Substitutes "assumption" with "hypothesis", suggesting the idea has been tested and found deficient.

a tenuous belief

Replaces "assumption" with "belief", emphasizing the weak or uncertain basis of the idea.

an unreliable inference

Highlights the potential for error in the reasoning process leading to the assumption.

an unfounded claim

Emphasizes the lack of evidence supporting the assumption.

a shaky basis

Focuses on the instability and unreliability of the foundation upon which something is built.

a risky proposition

Highlights the potential negative consequences of relying on the assumption.

a contentious point

Emphasizes the likelihood of disagreement or debate surrounding the assumption.

a challengeable assertion

Suggests that the assumption is open to scrutiny and refutation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a problematic assumption" to introduce a statement that is being used despite having flaws, such as "A problematic assumption is that all participants will respond truthfully."

What are some synonyms for "a problematic assumption"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a questionable premise", "a dubious supposition", or "a flawed hypothesis", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to identify an assumption as "problematic"?

It's appropriate when the assumption has the potential to lead to incorrect conclusions, ethical concerns, or practical difficulties. Be ready to explain why it's "problematic".

What's the difference between "a problematic assumption" and "a false assumption"?

"A false assumption" implies the assumption is demonstrably untrue. "A problematic assumption" may not be definitively false, but its use could still cause issues due to uncertainty or other factors.