assumptions

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'assumptions' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that is believed to be true, even though it has not yet been proven. For example, "I made some assumptions about how the project would turn out, but my predictions didn't match the actual results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The financial crisis and the great recession, indeed depression, undermined many of the assumptions of bourgeois triumphalism.

The Guardian

The support I have gained takes many forms: regular meetings, great communication, senior staff being present, a lack of assumptions about what I will do, and workload expectations that are in line with my career position.

The Guardian

This has fallen slightly since then, but their report suggests that with NHS England projections of flat cash for the NHS, and reasonable assumptions around forecast GDP growth, we could see our spend on healthcare falling back to around 6% of GDP by 2021, equivalent of 2003's spending levels.

The Guardian

It purports to be objective and rational yet it builds in so many assumptions that it leads inevitably to the conclusion that animal experiments are necessary.

The Guardian

"This release contains certain 'forward-looking statements', which are based on management's views and assumptions regarding future events.

The Guardian

The questions economists seek to answer, the tools they use to help find the answers (that's principally maths, rather than the applied topics that research suggests women are drawn to), the standard assumptions they make along the way (that people are emotionless, free and selfish), and the things they choose to measure all reflect a traditional and stereotypical male way of looking at the world.

The Guardian

Harun Khan, deputy secretary general of the council, said: "Is Mr Pickles seriously suggesting, as do members of the far right, that Muslims and Islam are inherently apart from British society?" He said he was writing back to Pickles to demand an explanation for the assumptions that appeared to be in the letter.

The Guardian

"In an earlier era, our assumptions and vocabulary might have expressed judgment instead of compassion, and closed doors instead of opening them," he said.

The Guardian

"Some of them are made on assumptions and what Labour politicians have been overheard saying on a night out with Prince Andrew.

The Guardian

Are the assumptions cheffy types proliferate about it being the route to superior taste also unfounded?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Our contemporary audience operates with different skills and needs and assumptions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "assumptions", acknowledge their potential limitations. Being transparent about the uncertainties strengthens your argument.

Common error

Don't treat "assumptions" as established truths. Always validate "assumptions" with evidence or acknowledge them as unproven beliefs.

Linguistic Context

The word "assumptions" primarily functions as a noun, specifically the plural form of "assumption". It is used to refer to things that are accepted as true or certain to happen, without proof. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a common term across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "assumptions" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that refers to beliefs or suppositions taken as true without proof. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and correct for use in various forms of writing and speech. This analysis, based on a wide range of examples from reputable sources like The Guardian and The Economist, shows that while "assumptions" are common in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, they also appear in academic and scientific writing. Remember to be mindful of the potential limitations of "assumptions" and avoid treating them as facts without validation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Underlying premises

Replaces "assumptions" with a more formal term emphasizing the foundational nature of the beliefs.

Presuppositions

Emphasizes the idea of something being supposed beforehand.

Guiding principles

Focuses on the beliefs that direct actions or decisions.

Working hypotheses

Highlights the tentative nature of the beliefs, especially in a research context.

Fundamental beliefs

Stresses the core nature of the beliefs in question.

Basic tenets

Similar to fundamental beliefs, but often used in a more formal or philosophical context.

Initial estimates

Replaces assumptions with a quantitative approach to preliminary calculations.

Accepted wisdom

Emphasizes the idea of beliefs that are widely accepted, though perhaps not critically examined.

Unquestioned beliefs

Highlights the lack of scrutiny applied to the beliefs.

Supposed truths

Highlights the idea of something being considered as truth, even though that may not be the case.

FAQs

How to use "assumptions" in a sentence?

You can use "assumptions" to refer to beliefs that are taken for granted. For example, "The model is based on several key "underlying assumptions" about consumer behavior".

What can I say instead of "assumptions"?

You can use alternatives like "presuppositions", "premises", or "suppositions" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "assumptions" or "presumptions"?

"Assumptions" refer to beliefs accepted without proof, while "presumptions" often imply taking something for granted, sometimes without sufficient justification. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "assumptions" and "hypotheses"?

"Assumptions" are beliefs taken as true, often implicitly, while "hypotheses" are proposed explanations that are tested through experimentation.