assert of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assert of" is not correct and not usable in written English.
It seems to be a misconstruction, as "assert" typically requires a direct object or a clause following it. Example: "He asserted that the project would be completed on time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Hitchcock's meticulous attention to practical details served his radical subjectivism; he didn't hesitate to fill his films with plenty (from inner voices to dream sequences) that assert of characters what can't be seen from fly-on-the-wall observation.

The New Yorker

It seems proper to consider a word as the name of that which we intend to be understood by it when we use it; of that which any fact that we assert of it is to be understood; of that, in short, concerning which, when we employ the word, we intend to give information.

The New York Times

An utterance of (1) is then seen to assert of Lois that she has a belief whose content is captured by the ascriber's utterance of the sentence 'Superman is strong'.

SEP

Thus, 'taller' (maius) counts as a relative term because when we assert of something that it is taller that is, when we predicate the term 'taller' of it we necessarily do so in comparison to something else.

SEP

If properties are what we assert of objects and what is true/false of objects, then there are simple arguments for the conclusion that at many properties are mind-independent and abstract.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Here's the visual evidence, it asserts, of a warming planet; make of it what you will.

The New York Times

In our article on February 23rd ("Eastern porridge") we asserted, of life sentences in the Japanese judicial system, that "life means life".

The Economist

Mark Mellman, a Democratic pollster, asserted of Republicans: "They seem to have adopted a strategy of muting differences, but my sense is they're doing it rhetorically.

The New York Times

"Each was profoundly right at some moments and profoundly wrong at others," Thompson asserts of their long, inter­twined careers as statesmen, policy makers and public intellectuals.

The New York Times - Books

He justifiably asserts of Welles: "Had he shot nothing else in his life, the surviving fragments would have marked him out as a supreme artist in film".

The Guardian - Books

Anscombe famously asserted of someone who thought in this way, "I do not want to argue with him: he shows a corrupt mind".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "assert of" in formal writing. Opt for constructions like "assert that" or "assert [something] about [something else]" for clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

A common mistake is to follow "assert" with the preposition "of" when a direct object or a "that" clause is required. Ensure that "assert" is followed by what is being asserted or use a more appropriate preposition like "about" if rephrasing.

Linguistic Context

The construction "assert of" is grammatically non-standard. The verb "assert" typically requires a direct object or a "that" clause to follow it. In the provided Ludwig examples, this construction appears in contexts where it might be considered a less formal or archaic phrasing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "assert of" appears in some texts, Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect in contemporary standard English. It's a misconstruction that doesn't align with common grammatical patterns. The intended meaning is generally to declare or state something about a subject. For clearer communication, it's best to use alternatives like "assert that" or "assert [something] about [something else]". The phrase’s usage is rare and is spread between news media and science contexts. Therefore, using this phrase can lead to confusion and is generally not recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assert about

Changes the preposition to "about", which is more common after "assert" when discussing the subject of the assertion.

state concerning

Replaces "assert" with "state" and "of" with "concerning", offering a more formal tone while keeping the subject matter the same.

claim regarding

Substitutes "assert" with "claim" and "of" with "regarding", which provides a slightly less forceful statement.

declare in relation to

Uses "declare" instead of "assert" and "in relation to" in place of "of", changing the syntax to be more descriptive and formal.

affirm with respect to

Replaces "assert" with "affirm" and "of" with "with respect to", offering a more affirmative and specific connection to the subject.

posit about

Uses "posit" instead of "assert" and "about" instead of "of", giving a more academic tone to the statement.

contend regarding

Replaces "assert" with "contend" and "of" with "regarding", which presents a more argumentative perspective.

maintain concerning

Substitutes "assert" with "maintain" and "of" with "concerning", which indicates a sustained belief or assertion.

attest to

Uses "attest" which means to provide or serve as clear evidence of. Differs from the focus on the claim itself that is present in "assert".

profess about

Replaces "assert" with "profess" and "of" with "about", adding an element of personal belief or avowal.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "assert" in a sentence?

Use "assert" followed by a direct object (e.g., "He asserted his innocence") or a "that" clause (e.g., "He asserted that he was innocent"). Avoid using "assert of."

What are some alternatives to using "assert"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "claim", "state", "maintain", or "contend".

Which is the correct preposition to use after "assert," "of" or "about"?

"Assert" is not typically followed by "of". "Assert about" can be used to specify the topic. The proper use depends on constructing the sentence to include a direct object or "that" clause after "assert".

What's the difference between "assert that" and "assert something"?

"Assert that" introduces a clause expressing the content of the assertion (e.g., "He asserted that the Earth is round"). "Assert something" uses a direct object, specifying what is being asserted (e.g., "He asserted his rights").