based on false assumptions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "based on false assumptions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing conclusions, beliefs, or decisions that are derived from incorrect or misleading premises. Example: "The project's failure was largely due to decisions that were based on false assumptions about market demand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Before they have even reached the age of one, then, we can see that children are being set different aspirations based on false assumptions about their gender.

The Guardian

Both ideas are based on false assumptions.

The New York Times

This logic is based on false assumptions.

Harvard University

The other comparisons are either misleading or based on false assumptions.

The New York Times

A civilian airliner, Dutch victims: "People realized that the sentimental attitude toward Putin and Russia was based on false assumptions," a German diplomat said.

The New Yorker

In accepting Gianni's story, Giovanni must come to grips with the realization that a fundamental relationship in his life was based on false assumptions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Often one of the reasons for such failure is that protocol designers have insufficient understanding of the potential adopters' economic incentives so one may end up designing protocols based on false or inaccurate assumptions.

Computer Networks

Fundamentalism pushes for conformity to their religious status quo, and that push is rarely seen by them for what it actually is: bulling and judging of others based on false, self-created assumptions.

Huffington Post

Mr. Schumer, a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, called on the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate whether the loans were based on false or misleading financial assumptions before being sold to investors as securities.

The New York Times

No credible evidence has been presented publicly by anyone or any organization as the accusations are based on false allegations and inaccurate assumptions, including claims about the impact of Russian regulations and policies on the company.

TechCrunch

"No credible evidence has been presented publicly by anyone or any organisation as the accusations are based on false allegations and inaccurate assumptions," the company said in a statement.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When critiquing an argument, explicitly state the false assumption upon which it is "based on false assumptions". This clarifies your reasoning and strengthens your counter-argument.

Common error

Avoid simply stating something is "based on false assumptions" without identifying the specific false assumption. Always clarify which assumption is incorrect to make your critique more convincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "based on false assumptions" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is founded on incorrect or untrue premises. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

27%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "based on false assumptions" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates a flaw in reasoning or planning due to reliance on incorrect premises. As noted by Ludwig, its usage spans across various domains, including news, academia, and science, demonstrating its versatility and relevance. To enhance writing, it's crucial to specify the exact false assumption being critiqued, rather than making a general statement. Alternatives such as "predicated on flawed premises" or "grounded in inaccurate beliefs" can be used to maintain a formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

predicated on flawed premises

This alternative emphasizes the logical foundation being faulty.

grounded in inaccurate beliefs

This alternative highlights the role of incorrect beliefs as the basis.

stemming from erroneous presumptions

This alternative emphasizes the origin of the problem in mistaken presumptions.

founded on unsubstantiated claims

This alternative emphasizes the lack of evidence supporting the initial claims.

derived from faulty reasoning

This alternative focuses on the incorrect reasoning process leading to the conclusion.

resting on shaky foundations

This alternative uses a metaphor to describe the instability of the underlying basis.

hinging on dubious suppositions

This alternative highlights the uncertainty and questionable nature of the suppositions.

built on misguided notions

This alternative emphasizes the incorrect and potentially harmful nature of the initial notions.

arising from incorrect data

This alternative specifies that the inaccuracy stems from bad data.

rooted in deceptive information

This alternative emphasizes that information leading to the assumption is misleading.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "based on false assumptions" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, you can replace "based on false assumptions" with phrases like "predicated on flawed premises", "grounded in inaccurate beliefs", or "stemming from erroneous presumptions". These alternatives /s/predicated+on+flawed+premises, /s/grounded+in+inaccurate+beliefs, /s/stemming+from+erroneous+presumptions maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "based on false assumptions" and "based on incomplete information"?

"Based on false assumptions" implies the information used was actively incorrect. "Based on incomplete information" means some information was missing, leading to a potentially flawed conclusion. The former suggests an error in what was known, while the latter suggests a problem in how much was known.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "based on false assumptions"?

Use "based on false assumptions" when you want to highlight that an idea, plan, or decision is fundamentally flawed due to being built upon incorrect or invalid premises. It's appropriate in analytical writing, debates, or discussions where identifying flawed reasoning is crucial.

Are there any synonyms for "assumptions" that I can use with "based on false"?

Yes, you can use words like "presumptions", "premises", "suppositions", or "beliefs" /s/erroneous+presumptions, /s/flawed+premises, /s/dubious+suppositions, /s/inaccurate+beliefs to replace "assumptions" while keeping the meaning similar. The choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.