a vague assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a vague assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an unclear or imprecise belief or idea that is not well-defined. Example: "His decision was based on a vague assumption that the project would succeed without proper planning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

There is a vague assumption that talking about Mormonism, or talking, in President Obama's case, about Reverend Jeremiah Wright, is like lighting a fuse.

The New Yorker

There was a vague assumption, as Mr Pickles puts it, that the country would "one day wake up and apologise for putting us in opposition".

The Economist

Successful applications begin with a clear and difficult problem to solve instead of a vague assumption that technology will enhance teaching.Second, we usually focus on improving existing teaching systems whereas technology is better used to create new learning systems.

The Economist

Operating on a vague assumption that trippy music and album design go hand in hand with smoking vast quantities of prime, sticky Adelaide hydro, I asked some stoner buddies if they minded submitting themselves to the last five major Wolf Eyes releases, and passing criticism on the artwork and sounds.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Quite the contrary, there has always been a vaguely Confucian assumption of patriarchal infallibility.

The New Yorker

What's exhilirating is that the vague assumptions, arrogant exploits, twinkling of an ephemeral joke, they all are being ratified in a swirl of innovation that is dazzling in its ability to masquerade as superficial and childish.

TechCrunch

In any case, experts say that objections to transsexual inclusion arise less from physiological questions than from vague assumptions of what is natural and what is artificial when it comes to the human body.

The New York Times

But, as my colleague Polly Curtis has found today with her excellent Reality Check, the strict economic arguments are all built on far from solid ground, with vague assumptions about the value of time spent on trains, road decongestion and network reliability.

The Guardian - Business

Yes? A: Vaguely.

The New Yorker

When skepticism based purely on vague assumptions leads to premature conclusions, it becomes blind cynicism.

TechCrunch

Arbitrarily fixing s1 and s3 with s1 < s3 the closure of an explicit definition is reflected by the choice of s2 with the restriction of s1 ≤ s2 ≤ s3 ; see Section 2.4 and Appendix B. Explicit definitions, so to speak, implicitly make some (though quite vague) assumptions on the type of underlying disease structure.

Bioinformatics and Biology Insights

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a vague assumption" to introduce an idea that requires further scrutiny or clarification. It signals to the reader that the point is not yet fully developed or supported.

Common error

Avoid building arguments solely on "a vague assumption". Always seek supporting evidence or data to strengthen your claims, even if the initial assumption seems plausible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vague assumption" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct. It typically identifies an idea or belief that lacks clear definition or supporting evidence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a vague assumption" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an unclear or imprecise belief. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across diverse contexts, though its frequency is uncommon. Predominantly appearing in News & Media and Scientific sources, it serves to introduce potentially weak or undefined premises. When employing this phrase, it's best practice to clarify why the assumption is vague and provide supporting context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unsubstantiated belief

Focuses on the lack of evidence supporting the belief, highlighting its unfounded nature.

an ill-defined supposition

Emphasizes the lack of clarity and definition in the underlying supposition.

an imprecise premise

Highlights the lack of exactness or accuracy in the foundational premise.

a fuzzy notion

Suggests a lack of clarity and distinctness in the idea or concept.

a loose conjecture

Implies a speculative idea with limited support or rigorous analysis.

a rough estimate

Indicates an approximation with a degree of uncertainty or imprecision.

a speculative guess

Focuses on the speculative nature of the guess, implying a lack of concrete evidence.

a general idea

Emphasizes the broad and non-specific nature of the idea.

an ambiguous presumption

Highlights the uncertainty and potential for multiple interpretations in the presumption.

an unconfirmed hypothesis

Indicates that the hypothesis has not been verified or supported by evidence.

FAQs

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

You can use "a vague assumption" to introduce an idea that lacks concrete evidence or clear definition. For example: "His plan was based on "a vague assumption" that the market would continue to grow."

What are some alternatives to "a vague assumption"?

Alternatives include "an unsubstantiated belief", "an ill-defined supposition", or "an imprecise premise" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it acceptable to base an argument on "a vague assumption"?

While it's not ideal, acknowledging that an argument is based on "a vague assumption" can be a starting point. However, it's crucial to qualify why the assumption is vague and to seek further evidence to support or refute it.

What is the difference between "a vague assumption" and "a hypothesis"?

A hypothesis is a testable statement, whereas "a vague assumption" is an unclear or imprecise belief. A hypothesis requires investigation, while "a vague assumption" may simply represent a lack of understanding or clarity.