bad assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bad assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a belief or conclusion that is incorrect or unfounded. Example: "The project's failure was largely due to a bad assumption about the market demand for the product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Bad assumption number one: they continued to underestimate the Americans.

Yale University

"That's not a bad assumption," Low said today.

The New York Times - Sports

A bad assumption will yield a bad estimate, even if the model itself is accurate.

The New York Times

It is not a bad assumption, as far as assumptions go.

The Guardian - Money

Maybe it was a bad assumption, but it got me through the day.

The New Yorker

"People who assume I want to run for elected office may be dealing from a bad assumption," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

These are bad assumptions.

Harvard Business Review

Those are both bad assumptions.

Yale University

Hsieh was remorseful but undeterred: "We made some bad assumptions.

The New York Times - Magazine

They've had no discussions with their children and have made some very bad assumptions".

The New York Times

They relied on bad assumptions, and in some cases may have been lied to by issuers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When pointing out a "bad assumption", clearly articulate why it is flawed and what evidence contradicts it. This strengthens your argument and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because two things occurred together, one caused the other. This is a common source of "bad assumptions". Always look for additional evidence to support a causal link.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad assumption" functions as a noun phrase, where "bad" modifies the noun "assumption". It is used to describe an assumption that is incorrect, flawed, or likely to lead to negative consequences. The Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

13%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bad assumption" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to identify a flawed or incorrect assumption. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across diverse contexts, notably in news, academic writing, and business communications. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by explaining why the assumption is flawed and providing supporting evidence. Remember to avoid common pitfalls, such as confusing correlation with causation. Utilizing alternative phrases like "incorrect premise" can also enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incorrect premise

Replaces "assumption" with "premise" emphasizing the foundation of an argument or idea.

flawed hypothesis

Substitutes "assumption" with "hypothesis", highlighting a proposition that is not well-supported.

false presupposition

Uses "presupposition" instead of "assumption", suggesting something taken for granted that is untrue.

erroneous belief

Emphasizes the incorrect nature of the belief, rather than the act of assuming.

misguided expectation

Focuses on the expectation aspect of the assumption, implying it was poorly directed.

unfounded supposition

Highlights the lack of basis or evidence for the assumption.

invalid inference

Replaces "assumption" with "inference", suggesting a conclusion drawn incorrectly.

poor judgment

Shifts the focus to the act of judging or deciding, rather than the underlying assumption.

dubious premise

Emphasizes the questionable nature of the starting point or foundation.

risky proposition

Focuses on the potential negative consequences of relying on the assumption.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "bad assumption"?

You can use alternatives such as "incorrect premise", "flawed hypothesis", or "false presupposition" depending on the specific context.

How can I identify a "bad assumption" in my reasoning?

Look for statements that are taken for granted without sufficient evidence or justification. Question the underlying beliefs that support your conclusions and ensure they are well-supported.

What's the difference between a "bad assumption" and a "reasonable assumption"?

A "bad assumption" is based on flawed logic or insufficient evidence, while a reasonable assumption is supported by available information and logical reasoning. Always strive to validate your assumptions whenever possible.

How to use "bad assumption" in a sentence?

For instance, you can say, "Relying on that "bad assumption" led to the project's failure", or "The company made a "bad assumption" about market demand".