a shaky supposition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shaky supposition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an assumption or belief that is uncertain or not well-founded. Example: "The scientist's conclusion was based on a shaky supposition that lacked sufficient evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If college presidents have a spine -- and this is a shaky supposition at best -- they will begin to disassemble the current system during the N.C.A.A. convention next month and burn the B.C.S. on a pyre the second the agreement expires after the 2005 season.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

These were shaky suppositions.

The New York Times - Magazine

A Shaky Start.

The New York Times - Science

Yemen is a shaky state.

The New York Times

But he subsists on a shaky network.

The New York Times

Minnesota hung on despite a shaky finish.

Independent

Still a shaky line back there.

The New York Times

IT ALWAYS felt like a shaky defence.

The Economist

It is a shaky start.

The Guardian

Millwood had a shaky start.

The New York Times - Sports

February 1975: A shaky start for the station.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a shaky supposition", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the supposition is weak or unreliable. Providing specific reasons or evidence will strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a shaky supposition" as a certainty. Using phrases like 'it is clear that' or 'undoubtedly' can undermine your credibility if the foundation is indeed weak. Acknowledge the uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shaky supposition" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "shaky" modifies the noun "supposition". This phrase is typically used to describe an idea, belief, or assumption that is not well-founded or is open to doubt. As per Ludwig, this is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a shaky supposition" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, albeit relatively rare in occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It functions as a noun phrase to describe an idea or belief lacking a strong foundation. Its purpose is typically to express skepticism or invite scrutiny. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, it's best to clearly indicate why the supposition is weak to enhance clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dubious assumption

Replaces 'supposition' with 'assumption' and 'shaky' with 'dubious', both conveying doubt.

a questionable hypothesis

Substitutes 'supposition' with 'hypothesis' and 'shaky' with 'questionable', suitable for more formal contexts.

an uncertain premise

Replaces 'supposition' with 'premise' and 'shaky' with 'uncertain', focusing on the foundational aspect.

a flimsy basis

Uses 'basis' instead of 'supposition' and 'flimsy' instead of 'shaky', highlighting the weakness of the foundation.

a tenuous claim

Substitutes 'supposition' with 'claim' and 'shaky' with 'tenuous', emphasizing the lack of strong support.

a weak argument

Replaces 'supposition' with 'argument' and 'shaky' with 'weak', focusing on the reasoning aspect.

an unfounded belief

Substitutes 'supposition' with 'belief' and 'shaky' with 'unfounded', stressing the lack of evidence.

a fragile theory

Replaces 'supposition' with 'theory' and 'shaky' with 'fragile', suitable for scientific or academic contexts.

a risky speculation

Uses 'speculation' instead of 'supposition' and 'risky' instead of 'shaky', emphasizing the potential for error.

a poorly supported idea

Replaces the entire phrase with a more descriptive alternative, highlighting the lack of support.

FAQs

How can I use "a shaky supposition" in a sentence?

You can use "a shaky supposition" to introduce an idea or belief that lacks strong evidence or is questionable. For example: "The scientist's conclusion was based on "a shaky supposition" that lacked sufficient evidence."

What are some alternatives to "a shaky supposition"?

You can use alternatives like "a dubious assumption", "a questionable hypothesis", or "an uncertain premise" depending on the context.

Is "a shaky supposition" the same as "a tenuous claim"?

While both phrases indicate weakness, "a shaky supposition" refers more to a foundational belief or assumption, whereas "a tenuous claim" refers more to an assertion that lacks strong support.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a shaky supposition"?

It's appropriate to use "a shaky supposition" when you want to critically evaluate an idea or belief and highlight its lack of solid grounding. It's common in academic discussions, debates, and analytical writing.