an unfounded assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unfounded assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a belief or idea that lacks evidence or justification. Example: "The claim that the project will fail is based on an unfounded assumption that the team lacks the necessary skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But, as he relates here, it was an unfounded assumption.

Independent

They base themselves upon an unfounded assumption as to what basically constitutes contact with, and the perception of, the supernatural".

The New Yorker

Such sensationalism creates real damage as it reinforces an unfounded assumption that mosques across the UK are a problem in our society".

The Guardian

In dissent, Justice Kagan wrote that she was confident that "the majority's decision — founded as it is on an unfounded assumption — would have no real-world meaning or application".

The New York Times

An unfounded assumption perhaps when more than 1.3m women and girls play football - more than any other sport in the UK.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The dynamic stiffness matrix (DSM -based DSM -basedentification methodampingsed by Lee and Kidentificationve and promethod because it identifies the damproposedrix from the measured DSM without relying on any unfounded assumptions.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Plaintiff's argument lacks merit as it is premised on the unfounded assumption that a person forms a business relationship with Plaintiff when he or she enters particular terms in Google's search engine.

Forbes

Belief in prenatal fetal awareness, mental communication between mother and unborn child, and emotional attachment of child to mother as a prenatal phenomenon, are concepts that connect easily to the unfounded assumption that all adopted children suffer emotional disorders.

Wikipedia

The Court’s apparent fear that following the Constitution in this case will provide petitioners a “windfall” in the amount of transaction costs saved is based on the unfounded assumption that the State must return the interest directly to petitioners.

Cornell University

Arar was a Canadian citizen deported to Syria and tortured by its state intelligence service on the completely unfounded assumption that he was involved in terrorism.

Vice

Before jumping to the conclusion that this is because young adults do not use email, note that that is another unfounded assumption.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "an unfounded assumption", ensure you can clearly articulate why the assumption lacks a solid basis. Provide counter-evidence or logical reasoning to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "an unfounded assumption" to describe widely known or self-evident falsehoods. The phrase is most effective when addressing assumptions that might initially seem plausible but lack deeper scrutiny.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unfounded assumption" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject, object, or complement of a verb. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, indicating its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an unfounded assumption" is a grammatically sound and usable expression used to denote a belief or idea that lacks supporting evidence. According to Ludwig AI, it's acceptable for use in written English. While relatively rare, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. When employing this phrase, clarity is crucial: ensure you can justify why the assumption is, in fact, unfounded. Alternatives like "a baseless claim" or "an unsupported assertion" offer similar meanings. By avoiding overuse and providing substantiation, you can effectively leverage this phrase to challenge unsubstantiated claims and promote critical thinking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a baseless assumption

Emphasizes the lack of any foundation or support for the assumption.

an unsupported claim

Focuses on the absence of evidence to back up the assertion.

a groundless presumption

Highlights the lack of any rational basis for the presumption.

a speculative hypothesis

Indicates that the hypothesis is based on conjecture rather than concrete data.

a flimsy assertion

Suggests that the assertion is weak and easily refuted.

a dubious proposition

Implies that the proposition is questionable and unlikely to be true.

an unsubstantiated belief

Stresses the lack of proof or verification for the belief.

a poorly justified idea

Highlights the inadequacy of the reasoning behind the idea.

an unproven supposition

Indicates that the supposition has not been demonstrated to be true.

a questionable premise

Suggests that the underlying premise is open to doubt or challenge.

FAQs

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

You can use "an unfounded assumption" to critique a statement or argument that lacks evidence. For example, "The politician's economic forecast is based on "an unfounded assumption" about future growth."

What are some alternatives to saying "an unfounded assumption"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a baseless claim", "an unsupported assertion", or "a groundless presumption". These phrases all convey the idea that something is believed without sufficient evidence.

Is it correct to say "a unfounded assumption" instead of "an unfounded assumption"?

No, the correct article to use before "unfounded" is "an" because "unfounded" begins with a vowel sound. Therefore, ""an unfounded assumption"" is the grammatically correct form.

How does "an unfounded assumption" differ from a hypothesis?

A hypothesis is a proposed explanation made as a starting point for further investigation. While a hypothesis may be unproven, it is not necessarily ""an unfounded assumption"" if it is based on some initial observation or rationale. The latter implies a lack of any reasonable basis.