a rational assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rational assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a conclusion or belief that is based on logical reasoning or sound judgment. Example: "Given the available data, it is a rational assumption that the project will be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

My organization, Second Chance Employment Services (SCES), understands that assuming the victim can easily leave an abusive relationship is not a rational assumption.

HuffPost

Based on a rational assumption, the negative training set was chosen (see Methods section).

BioMed Research International

It would appear to be a rational assumption that offering any form of financial incentivisation should drive up employee compliance with new or revised working practices.

F1000Research

In such a case, one can make a rational assumption that genes from these segments are enriched with (in our case) the MG-associated genes, and thus ranking genes for relevance to MG based on the selected features will be more efficient and more meaningful.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Bearing in mind what Page has said in public this seems a pretty rational assumption to make.

The Guardian - Opinion

In spite of the rational assumption that skiing while in possession of a firearm is a risky endeavour, the athletes that take part in the biathlon prove it can be done with style and finesse.

The Guardian - Travel

This perfect rational assumption requires complete information; all factors of the game should be common knowledge.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The rational assumption that the total series of all conditions is already given would hold only for things in themselves.

SEP

At other times, in other contests, that logic - the rational assumption that the superior will always beat the valiant subordinate - stood firm, despite all the emotion and industry aimed at it.

BBC

Solution concepts based on the canonical rational assumption also assume that it is common knowledge that each player is rational, each player knows that all players are rational, each player knows that each player knows that all players are rational, and so on ad infinitum.

Plosone

At the same time, a strategy may offer a reasonable action before the arrival of such a query, employing some rational assumptions regarding the data distribution.

Journal of Big Data

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a rational assumption", ensure the context provides sufficient evidence or reasoning to support the assumption's validity.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a rational assumption" as an absolute truth. Acknowledge that it's based on available information and may be subject to change as new evidence emerges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rational assumption" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a statement based on logical reasoning and available evidence. As Ludwig indicates, it's used to present a conclusion derived from a careful consideration of the facts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rational assumption" is a phrase used to introduce a statement that is logically based and supported by evidence. Ludwig AI analysis finds the phrase grammatically correct, while it has a relatively low frequency. As Ludwig examples show, the phrase appears in a variety of contexts, ranging from scientific research to news articles, suggesting a neutral to formal tone. When employing the phrase, ensure there is adequate justification to support the assumption, and avoid presenting it as an absolute truth. Alternatives such as "a reasonable assumption" or "a logical assumption" may be used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonable assumption

This alternative uses a more common synonym for "rational", making it slightly more accessible.

a logical assumption

This alternative emphasizes the step-by-step reasoning behind the assumption.

a sound assumption

This alternative suggests that the assumption is well-founded and reliable.

a well-founded assumption

This alternative highlights the presence of a strong basis or justification for the assumption.

a valid assumption

This alternative focuses on the legitimacy and correctness of the assumption.

a justifiable assumption

This alternative emphasizes the defensibility and permissibility of making the assumption.

a tenable assumption

This alternative suggests that the assumption is capable of being defended against criticism.

a plausible assumption

This alternative indicates that the assumption is believable and likely to be true.

an educated guess

This alternative suggests the assumption is based on some knowledge but still involves uncertainty.

a working hypothesis

This alternative presents the assumption as a starting point for further investigation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rational assumption" to introduce a statement that is based on logical reasoning or available evidence. For instance, "Given the data, it's "a rational assumption" that sales will increase next quarter."

What are some alternatives to "a rational assumption"?

Some alternatives include "a reasonable assumption", "a logical assumption", or "a sound assumption", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to make "a rational assumption"?

It is appropriate to make "a rational assumption" when you have sufficient evidence or logical reasoning to support your belief, but absolute certainty is not possible. Always be prepared to re-evaluate your assumption if new information arises.

What distinguishes "a rational assumption" from a wild guess?

"A rational assumption" is grounded in evidence and reasoning, whereas a wild guess lacks such support. The former is a calculated judgment, while the latter is a speculation without a solid foundation.