doubtful assumptions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doubtful assumptions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing beliefs or conclusions that lack certainty or are based on questionable premises. Example: "The research was flawed due to several doubtful assumptions that were not adequately addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

We believe that the mismatch between the observation and the calculation is caused by these doubtful assumptions and that establishing new dense leveling routes and GNSS surveys will be needed for the estimation of all model parameters.

Earth, Planets and Space

They were the first in the tradition to engage, like Socrates in ancient Greece, in an explicit, reflective search for objective moral standards and to give step-by-step, tightly reasoned arguments for their views, though their reasoning is sometimes simplistic or rests on doubtful assumptions.

SEP

We undertook data analysis using Stata version 9 (StataCorp LP, TX, U.S .. Continuous variables were categorized to avoid doubtful assumptions about linearity.

Plosone

Continuous variables were categorized to avoid doubtful assumptions about linearity.

BMC Pediatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

My own personal experience with social conservatives gives me reason to feel doubtful of his assumptions.

Huffington Post

Sonia is the one who admires Le Corbusier, and though Alexander can recognise the quality of the building when he's inside it, he's doubtful about the underlying assumptions – "machine for living, I mean, the very expression.

The Guardian - Books

Realclimate will emphasize the very tentative nature of this forecast, and caution that there is a danger that if one doesn't fully realize how doubtful some of the assumptions are, climate modelers may well be slammed with the accusation that "they predicted a cooling but it didn't happen".

The New York Times

However, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, this assumption is doubtful in practice.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

However, the application of laboratory findings to field conditions has become doubtful due to the various assumptions used in laboratory studies, including the scaling down of the reservoir, the use of sieved river sands and/or synthetic samples, and the use of limited combinations of two-phase flows.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Linear models, however, make many assumptions, which are doubtful in complex biological processes.

BMC Genomics

Linear models are simple and easy to apply, but make many assumptions that are doubtful for complex processes, such as aging.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "doubtful assumptions", ensure you clearly articulate why the assumptions are doubtful. Provide evidence or reasoning to support your claim. This strengthens your argument and prevents misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that assumptions are "doubtful" without providing any justification. Back up your assertion with logical reasoning or empirical data to demonstrate why the assumptions are questionable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doubtful assumptions" functions as a noun phrase where "doubtful" modifies the noun "assumptions". This describes assumptions that are questionable or uncertain. As demonstrated by Ludwig, the phrase is used to express reservations about the validity of certain presuppositions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "doubtful assumptions" is a phrase used to describe assumptions that are questionable or lack strong support. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and most commonly found in scientific and news contexts. To use it effectively, clearly articulate why the assumptions are doubtful and back up your assertions with evidence. Remember that it is more appropriate to use alternative expressions such as "questionable premises" or "uncertain hypotheses" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Questionable premises

Focuses on the uncertainty of the initial statements.

Uncertain hypotheses

Highlights the lack of certainty in scientific or theoretical propositions.

Dubious presuppositions

Emphasizes the suspect nature of underlying beliefs.

Controversial axioms

Draws attention to the contentious nature of foundational principles.

Unsubstantiated claims

Highlights the lack of evidence supporting the statements.

Tenative suppositions

Emphasizes the provisional nature of the assumptions.

Speculative propositions

Highlights the conjectural nature of the statements.

Unreliable premises

Indicates a lack of trustworthiness in the foundational statements.

Weak foundations

Emphasizes that the base or structure that something relies on is fragile and prone to failure.

Flawed presumptions

Points to inherent errors or defects in the assumptions made.

FAQs

How can I use "doubtful assumptions" in a sentence?

You can use "doubtful assumptions" to describe premises or beliefs that are questionable or lack sufficient evidence. For example, "The model's predictions were unreliable due to several "doubtful assumptions" about consumer behavior."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "doubtful assumptions"?

Alternatives to "doubtful assumptions" include "questionable premises", "uncertain hypotheses", or "dubious presuppositions". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What makes an assumption "doubtful"?

An assumption becomes "doubtful" when it lacks empirical support, contradicts established knowledge, or relies on overly simplistic or unrealistic conditions. Essentially, it's an assumption that is open to serious question.

In what fields is the phrase "doubtful assumptions" commonly used?

The phrase "doubtful assumptions" is commonly used in fields such as science, economics, and philosophy, where critical analysis and evaluation of underlying premises are essential. You might also see it in news reporting when analyzing claims or predictions.