axiom

USAGE SUMMARY

'axiom' is correct and usable in written English.
An axiom is a self-evident truth, statement, or principle that is accepted as true without proof. For example: "Honesty is the best policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In addition, the overemphasis on the local man and woman underlines another important axiom about Irish elections: they are in fact 43 separate byelections, often fought on localised issues.

The Guardian

It is also a reminder that there is one axiom of Irish politics you should never forget and that is to never, ever underestimate the Soldiers of Destiny.

The Guardian

Mr Hubbard notes in passing, as though it were a universal axiom brooking no dissent: "raising revenue is about raising average tax rates, not marginal tax rates, as Barack Obama's campaign suggested.

The Economist

Axiom either seconds some of its hundreds of lawyers to a company, takes on a whole chunk of a client firm's legal work (such as commercial contracts), or performs "discovery" (reviewing documents for litigation).

The Economist

Trevor-Roper, later Lord Dacre, summed up "Leviathan" curtly: "The axiom, fear; the method, logic; the conclusion, despotism".Hobbes would probably have acknowledged the first part: he admitted to being a fearful type.

The Economist

By making defence planners worry about fighting two nearly-simultaneous wars like that against Iraq in 1991, this rule-of-thumb has made it harder to prepare for the much broader range of threats which lie ahead.Dropping the two-war axiom is regarded as essential by those who want to spend more money on "transformational" weapons—especially those which can "see deep and shoot deep".

The Economist

It is a similar axiom of democracy that politicians should be subject to the rule of law.

The Economist

THE usefulness of standards is embodied in a simple axiom: when everybody else is doing A, it is not such a good idea to do B. Take driving.

The Economist

Freedom of conscience is an axiom of liberal thought.

The Economist

In 1996 Brazil acted with Argentina and the United States to forestall a coup in Paraguay a recognition that the defence of democracy in the region should take precedence over a tradition of non-intervention in the affairs of neighbours.The search for a stable South America has long been an axiom of Brazil's foreign policy, but demographics have given it greater urgency.

The Economist

This position is a long-established axiom on the Israeli right.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the word "axiom", ensure that the context clearly establishes the foundational nature of the principle or truth being discussed. For example, you might say, "The axiom of free speech is fundamental to democratic societies".

Common error

Avoid using "axiom" to refer to something that is merely a theory or hypothesis. An axiom is a self-evident truth, whereas a theory requires evidence and testing.

Linguistic Context

The word "axiom" functions primarily as a noun. It denotes a self-evident truth or principle that serves as a foundation for reasoning or a formal system. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across diverse contexts, including mathematics, politics, and general principles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "axiom" is a grammatically correct noun that signifies a self-evident truth or principle, used as a foundation for reasoning. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. When using "axiom", ensure clarity in its foundational nature. Avoid confusing it with theories or hypotheses. Consider alternatives like "principle" or "premise" depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental principle

Emphasizes the basic and essential nature of the principle, similar to an axiom's role as a foundation.

basic assumption

Highlights the assumed nature of an axiom, something accepted without proof.

self-evident truth

Focuses on the inherent clarity and obviousness of an axiom.

underlying premise

Stresses the role of an axiom as a foundation for reasoning or argumentation.

foundational concept

Highlights that an axiom is a basic concept on which more complex ideas are built.

core belief

Shifts the context to personal beliefs, where axioms can represent deeply held convictions.

established principle

Highlights that an axiom is generally recognized as a fundamental or important rule of belief.

given truth

Emphasizes that the axiom is treated as a starting point and cannot be questioned.

first principle

Highlights that the axiom cannot be deduced from any other assumption.

unquestioned assumption

Emphasizes the acceptance of an axiom without proof or justification.

FAQs

How is "axiom" used in mathematics?

In mathematics, an "axiom" is a statement or proposition that is assumed to be true without proof. It serves as a starting point for deducing other theorems and results within a formal system. For instance, the parallel postulate is an axiom in Euclidean geometry.

What's the difference between an "axiom" and a theorem?

An "axiom" is a statement accepted as true without proof, serving as a foundation for a system of logic or mathematics. A theorem, on the other hand, is a statement that has been proven based on axioms and other previously established theorems.

Can an "axiom" be disproven?

While axioms are typically considered self-evident, they can be changed or replaced in different systems of thought. If an axiom is changed, the resulting system may lead to different conclusions. The validity of an axiom depends on the system in which it is used.

What are some alternatives to using the word "axiom"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "principle", "premise", or "assumption". These words convey the idea of a foundational concept or belief, but they may not carry the same weight of self-evidence or established truth as "axiom".