a universal assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a universal assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a belief or idea that is generally accepted by a large number of people or across different cultures. Example: "The notion that all humans need food and water is a universal assumption that transcends cultural boundaries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This seems obvious to us, but it wasn't by any means a universal assumption in those days.

The New Yorker

From all corners of the globe it seems a universal assumption that the world is meant to progress, grow and prosper at a continuous and infinite rate, regardless of the costs.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Taking science as a paradigm of knowledge (now a nearly universal assumption among evolutionary epistemologists), he suggested that ideas and theories struggle against each other for adoption by being critically evaluated; the fittest among them survive, as those that are judged best are eventually adopted.

Britannica

Lorentz invariance is an almost universal assumption for modern physical theories, such as quantum electrodynamics, quantum chromodynamics, the Standard Model of particle physics, and general relativity.

Wikipedia

Climate has also changed over this period, prompting an almost universal assumption of causality.

Plosone

These philosophical questions puzzle scientists because they are used to relying upon Occam's razor as an unstated but universal assumption.

The New York Times

A common, but not universal, assumption is that the behavioural tasks are activating domain-specific language processes, and if in patients they are located in regions not observed in healthy participants performing the same task on the same stimuli, then language processes have become reorganized to atypical sites.

Brain

(A common but by no means universal assumption is that praise is the counterpart of blame; still, it is blame that is often taken to be the more significant phenomenon for moral philosophy).

SEP

But that said, the near universal assumption by commentators and pundits of an "enthusiasm gap" overlooks something important.

Huffington Post

Paramount wanted her character, Sister Sunshine, to be a fraud, but both Dolly and I thought she should be a true believer, which made the execs nervous since the universal assumption in Hollywood is that the only true religion is atheism.

The New York Times - Magazine

One was the universal assumption that explosives were the main threat.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a universal assumption", ensure the context clearly indicates why the assumption is considered universally accepted and avoid overstating the generality of the assumption without proper evidence.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a universal assumption" as unequivocally true without acknowledging potential exceptions or cultural variations. Always consider the possibility of counter-examples or differing perspectives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a universal assumption" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a belief or idea that is presumed to be true or valid for everyone, as Ludwig confirms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

7%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a universal assumption" is a noun phrase used to denote a belief or idea that is widely accepted across different cultures and contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While the phrase appears most frequently in news and media, as well as scientific sources, it's crucial to use it judiciously, ensuring that the assumption is indeed widely accepted and not an overgeneralization. Alternative phrases include "a generally accepted belief" and "a common understanding". When writing, it's important to carefully evaluate whether an assumption truly meets the criterion of being universal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a generally accepted belief

Replaces "assumption" with "belief" and "universal" with "generally accepted", focusing on widespread acceptance.

a common understanding

Shifts the focus to comprehension rather than presupposition; still widely held.

a prevailing notion

Emphasizes the dominance or widespread nature of the idea.

a widely held view

Replaces "assumption" with "view", highlighting a perspective shared by many.

a shared presumption

Focuses on the idea being taken for granted by a group.

a conventional wisdom

Highlights the traditional and widely accepted nature of the idea.

a standard expectation

Focuses on what is typically anticipated or expected.

a typical presupposition

Replaces universal with typical, while keeping the same meaning

a foundational principle

Emphasizes the role of the assumption as a basis for reasoning.

a basic tenet

Focuses on its fundamental, foundational character, changing assumption for tenet.

FAQs

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

You can use "a universal assumption" to introduce an idea or belief that is widely accepted as true or valid. For example, "A universal assumption in economics is that individuals act in their own self-interest."

What can I say instead of "a universal assumption"?

You can use alternatives like "a generally accepted belief", "a common understanding", or "a widely held view" depending on the context.

Is it always accurate to describe something as "a universal assumption"?

No, describing something as "a universal assumption" implies widespread acceptance, which may not always be accurate. It's important to ensure the assumption is genuinely prevalent and not just a localized or biased belief. It is useful to carefully consider if the belief is truly "generally accepted belief".

What makes an assumption "a universal assumption"?

An assumption becomes "a universal assumption" when it is believed or accepted across different cultures, societies, and contexts. It often reflects fundamental aspects of human nature or shared experiences. However, it's crucial to critically evaluate whether an assumption truly meets this criterion.