a tenuous assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tenuous assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an assumption that is weak, uncertain, or not well-supported by evidence. Example: "The researchers based their conclusions on a tenuous assumption that the data collected was representative of the entire population."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The period of increased susceptibility to overwash impact at Salina Tam (EWE III XI) or EWE II both inferred from SAT 8, might correlate with layer 2.94 2.77 m b.s. in SAT 9 where reworked ostracods were identified; however, this is a tenuous assumption since age control is not available.

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

That the reservoir is a mammal is a more tenuous assumption.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Importantly natural history models based only on observational data must implicitly assume no selection bias, a very tenuous assumption.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

But that remains a tenuous supposition.

The New York Times - Sports

But they still subscribe to the belief that architecture expresses a society's aspirations, and also to the more tenuous assumption that it can mold society itself.

The New Yorker

Often perceived as being tramps, Vladimir and Estragon are a pair of human beings who do not know why they were put on earth; they make the tenuous assumption that there must be some point to their existence, and they look to Godot for enlightenment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Under Bratton, the godfather of zero-tolerance "broken windows" policing, arrests of peddlers and panhandlers on the subway system and of non-violent, low-level offenders in housing projects have spiked, purportedly on the tenuous assumption that such harassment prevents more serious crimes.

Vice

Beyond the counterintuitive flattening of biological objects composed in turn of other composite objects lurks the tenuous assumption that the fields composing the data are regular and recurrent.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

In this case, it can be argued that up to three of these conditions exist (1, 3 and 4) and therefore that, even with the tenuous assumption that competency was present, discontinuation of life support must not ensue under the present circumstances.

Critical Care

Those three measures all appear to be based on rather tenuous assumptions.

Huffington Post

"Is it prudent public policy to operate facilities of such immense hazard on such tenuous assumptions?" Lochbaum asks.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a tenuous assumption", ensure that the context clearly indicates the reasons for the assumption's weakness. Provide evidence or arguments to support your assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "a tenuous assumption" when the assumption is demonstrably false or easily disproven. The phrase suggests a degree of uncertainty or lack of support, not outright falsehood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tenuous assumption" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "tenuous" modifies the noun "assumption". The adjective highlights the weakness or uncertainty associated with the assumption. This is supported by Ludwig, which finds it used in contexts where the validity of a claim is being questioned.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a tenuous assumption" effectively conveys that an assumption is weak, uncertain, or lacks strong support. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears in various reputable sources like news media, encyclopedias and scientific publications. The expert rating is high, indicating its appropriateness and effective usage. To convey similar meanings, you can use "a shaky assumption" or "a questionable assumption". When using the phrase, provide context for the assumption's weakness. Avoid using it when the assumption is demonstrably false.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shaky assumption

Replaces "tenuous" with "shaky", suggesting instability or lack of firmness in the assumption.

a weak assumption

Substitutes "tenuous" with "weak", highlighting the lack of strength or validity of the assumption.

a questionable assumption

Replaces "tenuous" with "questionable", emphasizing the doubtfulness or uncertainty surrounding the assumption.

a fragile assumption

Substitutes "tenuous" with "fragile", indicating the assumption is easily broken or invalidated.

a dubious assumption

Replaces "tenuous" with "dubious", suggesting suspicion or uncertainty about the truth or validity of the assumption.

a flimsy assumption

Substitutes "tenuous" with "flimsy", highlighting the lack of substance or strength in the assumption.

an unsubstantiated assumption

Replaces "tenuous" with "unsubstantiated", emphasizing the lack of evidence to support the assumption.

a speculative assumption

Substitutes "tenuous" with "speculative", indicating the assumption is based on conjecture rather than firm evidence.

a presumptive assumption

Replaces "tenuous" with "presumptive", suggesting the assumption is based on probability or likelihood rather than certainty.

an unsupported assumption

Substitutes "tenuous" with "unsupported", emphasizing that the assumption lacks backing or validation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tenuous assumption" to describe a belief or idea that is not strongly supported by evidence. For example: "The study's conclusions rely on "a tenuous assumption" about consumer behavior.".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "a tenuous assumption"?

Phrases with similar meanings include "a shaky assumption", "a weak assumption", and "a questionable assumption". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a tenuous assumption" in formal writing?

Yes, "a tenuous assumption" is suitable for formal writing, as it is a clear and professional way to express that an assumption is not strongly supported. Ludwig AI confirms this, as the phrase appears in academic and news sources.

What makes an assumption "tenuous"?

An assumption is considered "tenuous" when it lacks sufficient evidence, relies on speculation, or is based on a fragile or easily disproven premise.