a specific assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a specific assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a particular belief or idea that is taken for granted in a discussion or analysis. Example: "In our research, we based our findings on a specific assumption that all participants would respond honestly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Similarly, when a philosopher (or scientist) wonders whether a specific assumption or a particular choice of a parameter value is necessary, the device of axiomatization helps to resolve the question; given an axiomatic presentation, one can explore whether every derivation using the assumption can be transformed into one without.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Making a specific assumption, for instance that $f$ is linear, solves that problem by fiat.

SEP

This paper deals with the appropriateness of a specific assumption inherently used in all relevant published models, namely the temperature uniformity in the soot and wall layer.

Chemical Engineering Science

PLS-SEM requires neither a large sample size nor a specific assumption on the distribution of the data, or even the missing data.

Ecological Processes

The optimization based on genetic algorithm approach identifies material properties of an existing soil model, and SelfSim approach extracts the underlying soil behavior unconstrained by a specific assumption on soil constitutive behavior.

Computers and Geotechnics

fMRI data are commonly analyzed using 'model-based' statistical methods that require a specific assumption about the time courses of activation.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In the social sciences, the analysis of news media is done largely by hand and in a hypothesis-driven fashion: the scholar needs to formulate a very specific assumption about the patterns that might be in the data, and then set out to verify if they are present or not.

Plosone

The idea is: M is preferred over M′ if every assumption πi that doesn't hold in M but that holds in M′ is 'compensated for' by a more specific assumption πj that holds in M but doesn't hold in M′.

SEP

However, our neuroimaging data even suggest a more specific assumption of concomitant processing of categorical and continuous characteristics of the carry effect subserved by different parts of a fronto-parietal network associated with numerical cognition (see [ 16] for a review).

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Thus, whether selection is common or rare, the standard assumption that the loci in the 5% tail of an empirical distribution represent swept regions corresponds to an extremely specific assumption regarding the reduction in variation owing to hitchhiking, and thus also about the true underlying and unknown value of the joint parameter sλ.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Mr. Daniels said that the administration was not making any specific assumptions in its projections for next year about a recovery in the stock market.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a specific assumption", clearly articulate the assumption itself. This prevents ambiguity and ensures your audience understands the foundation of your argument or analysis.

Common error

Avoid treating "a specific assumption" as universally accepted. Always acknowledge it as an assumption and be prepared to justify it or discuss potential limitations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific assumption" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a particular belief or idea that is taken for granted in a discussion or analysis. As Ludwig AI explains, it refers to assumptions that require careful consideration and justification, which is different from general knowledge.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a specific assumption" is a noun phrase used to highlight a particular belief or idea that is foundational to an argument or analysis. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and best used when precision and clarity are needed. The contexts in which you'll find "a specific assumption" are primarily in the sciences, encyclopedias and news, reflecting its use in formal and academic settings. Remember to always clearly articulate the assumption being made and acknowledge its potential limitations. Considering alternatives like "a particular assumption" or "a defined assumption" can also help refine your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular assumption

Replaces "specific" with "particular", indicating a certain assumption rather than a general one.

a defined assumption

Substitutes "specific" with "defined", emphasizing the clear and distinct nature of the assumption.

a precise assumption

Uses "precise" instead of "specific", highlighting the exactness and accuracy of the assumption.

a concrete assumption

Employs "concrete" in place of "specific", suggesting that the assumption is firm and well-established.

a distinct assumption

Replaces "specific" with "distinct", emphasizing the assumption's uniqueness and clarity.

a given assumption

Changes "specific" to "given", implying that the assumption is already established or pre-defined.

a stipulated assumption

Uses "stipulated" instead of "specific", indicating that the assumption is a required condition or agreement.

a designated assumption

Substitutes "specific" with "designated", implying that the assumption has been chosen or assigned for a particular purpose.

a certain presupposition

Replaces "assumption" with "presupposition" and "specific" with "certain", indicating something assumed beforehand.

a definite premise

Changes "assumption" to "premise" and "specific" to "definite", referring to a stated reason or fact forming the basis of a conclusion.

FAQs

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

Use "a specific assumption" to introduce a particular belief or idea that underlies your argument or analysis. For example: "Our model is built on "a specific assumption" about consumer behavior."

What are some alternatives to saying "a specific assumption"?

You can use alternatives like "a particular assumption", "a defined assumption", or "a precise assumption", depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "a specific assumption" or "a general assumption"?

The choice depends on your context. "A general assumption" refers to a broad, widely accepted belief, while "a specific assumption" refers to a particular, perhaps less universally accepted, belief that is important to your argument. Make sure you are talking about "a specific assumption".

What does it mean to challenge "a specific assumption"?

Challenging "a specific assumption" means questioning its validity or applicability. This involves examining the evidence supporting the assumption and considering potential counterarguments or limitations.