an incorrect assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an incorrect assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a belief or idea that is not true or valid. Example: "The study was based on an incorrect assumption that all participants had prior experience with the software."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

This is usually an incorrect assumption.

Harvard University

This means that today's best theories similarly need a major shakeup, by retiring an incorrect assumption.

The Guardian

This is an incorrect assumption, experts and the late great children's author Maurice Sendak have repeatedly tried to tell parents like me.

The Washington Post

He realized then that he had made an incorrect assumption and that the buyer had been thinking ahead to her apartment's resale potential.

The New York Times

Forced assimilation has largely dominated Indigenous policy since federation, just as an incorrect assumption of the vanishment and destruction of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people drove European thinking from the first days of the colonial frontier.

The Guardian

Mr. Bikhchandani and his co-authors worked out this rational herding story carefully, and their results show that the probability of the cascade leading to an incorrect assumption is 37percentt.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

This was a mostly incorrect assumption, though a number of places did open in the evening in preparation for the early morning suhur meal, eaten by those who are about to embark on their day-long fast.

BBC

In response, Hawaiian Airlines' chief operating officer, Jon Snook, said: "That's an entirely incorrect assumption".

The Guardian

These funding cuts being driven through by the Tories start from a totally incorrect assumption: that education only benefits the individual, and therefore the individual should bear the cost.

The Guardian

A common incorrect assumption in all these analyses is that the pre-mandate insurance coverage includes coverage of lymphedema treatment to current medical standards.

Health Economics Review

Kanode and Haddad (2009) stated that an important, but incorrect, assumption was made that GDSE follows the waterfall method.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an incorrect assumption", clearly state what the correct information or understanding should be. This provides context and helps avoid further confusion.

Common error

Don't assume that identifying "an incorrect assumption" automatically invalidates an entire argument or theory. Instead, focus on how correcting the assumption can refine or improve the overall understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an incorrect assumption" functions as a noun phrase, where "incorrect" modifies the noun "assumption". As supported by Ludwig AI, it typically serves to identify a flaw in reasoning, planning, or understanding. It is used to pinpoint errors in underlying beliefs.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an incorrect assumption" is a commonly used phrase to identify flawed reasoning or misunderstandings. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, including news and media, scientific research, and academic discussions. It is essential to clearly identify and correct such assumptions to improve understanding and avoid errors. Alternative phrases like "a false premise" or "a flawed assumption" can be used depending on the specific nuance. Being mindful of overgeneralization when identifying incorrect assumptions is a key best practice. According to Ludwig, this phrase is used in neutral register, but also in formal register depending on the specific sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a false premise

Emphasizes that the underlying basis or foundation for a conclusion is wrong.

a flawed assumption

Highlights the defect or weakness in the initial belief.

a mistaken belief

Directly states that the belief is inaccurate or wrong.

an erroneous supposition

Uses more formal language to indicate an incorrect guess or hypothesis.

a faulty premise

Similar to "false premise", indicating a defect in the foundational statement.

an invalid assumption

Highlights that the assumption does not hold true or is not logically sound.

a groundless assumption

Emphasizes the lack of evidence or justification for the assumption.

a fallacious assumption

Indicates that the assumption is based on a fallacy or deceptive reasoning.

an unsubstantiated assumption

Highlights that there's no proof to support the assumption.

a misleading assumption

Indicates that the assumption leads to a wrong conclusion or understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "an incorrect assumption" in a sentence?

You can use "an incorrect assumption" to point out a flaw in reasoning or a misunderstanding. For example: "The project's failure was due to "an incorrect assumption" about market demand."

What are some alternatives to "an incorrect assumption"?

Some alternatives include "a false premise", "a flawed assumption", or "a mistaken belief". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "incorrect assumption" or "false assumption"?

Both "incorrect assumption" and "false assumption" are acceptable. "Incorrect" implies a deviation from what is accurate, while "false" suggests something is untrue. The choice often depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "an assumption" and "an incorrect assumption"?

"An assumption" is a belief accepted as true, often without proof. "An incorrect assumption" is /s/an assumption that has been proven wrong or leads to inaccurate conclusions.