erroneous assertion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'erroneous assertion' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when you want to express that someone has made an incorrect statement or claim. For example: The politician's erroneous assertion about the economy was quickly debunked.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

He was especially critical of what he called the erroneous assertion that the other teachers were missionaries.

The New York Times

These provisions directly refute the F.D.P.'s erroneous assertion that petitioner is "attempt[ing] to federalize a state law dispute".

The New York Times

Both reports start from the unchallenged but erroneous assertion that the NHS is "unsustainable", and are padded out with a plethora of platitudes about more care in the community and the merging of health and social care services.

The Guardian - Opinion

This erroneous assertion parrots the misconception by Mr. Burkhauser and friends that mental impairments are more subjective or indeterminate than mental retardation (MR, now called intellectual disability or ID) or physical disabilities.

The New York Times

From the very beginning of the editing process, the talking points contained the erroneous assertion that the attack was "spontaneously inspired by the protests at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo and evolved".

The New Yorker

"A number of recent news reports have included an erroneous assertion by Larimer County Coloo). Sheriff Jim Alderden that the American Civil Liberties Union is representing the Heene Family of Fort Collins, Colo., which is reportedly being investigated for allegedly perpetrating a 'balloon boy hoax' for publicity purposes.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

She's right about that, given her father's wildly erroneous assertions about W.M.D.s in Iraq.

The New York Times

Due to their different tail behavior, a falsely determined extreme value distribution will lead to erroneous assertions about quantiles, which serve as characteristic quantities.

Acta Materialia

(Kristof) What a tragedy it would be if Mr. Kristof's column, based as it is on erroneous assertions and inadequate reporting, would do great harm to an extraordinarily important and successful child disability income support program and more importantly, the vulnerable children it serves.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, the tools used to make estimates in healthcare are far more abstract than they are in physical science, meaning they can be applied in entirely the wrong situation without appearing the least bit ludicrous, leading to erroneous assertions being made without any appreciation for the significance of scale.

The Guardian

A book by one of the documentary's researchers, Rob Howells, entitled Inside the Priory of Sion: Revelations from the World's Most Secret Society - Guardians of the Bloodline of Jesus presented the version of the Priory of Sion as given in the 2008 documentary, which contained several erroneous assertions, such as the claim that Plantard believed in the Jesus bloodline hypothesis.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "erroneous assertion" when you want to highlight not just an error, but the act of stating something as a fact when it is not.

Common error

While "erroneous assertion" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Opt for simpler terms like "mistake" or "misunderstanding" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "erroneous assertion" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "erroneous" modifies the noun "assertion". It is used to identify and characterize a statement presented as fact that is actually incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and appropriate for describing incorrect statements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

33%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "erroneous assertion" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a statement presented as fact that is incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers examples from reputable sources, primarily in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While highly effective in formal writing, it might be perceived as too formal in casual conversations. Alternatives like "false claim" or "incorrect statement" could be preferable in less formal contexts. Remember to substantiate your claim that an assertion is "erroneous" with evidence or sound reasoning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

false claim

Replaces "assertion" with "claim", emphasizing the potentially contested nature of the statement.

incorrect statement

Uses more neutral language, suitable for less formal contexts.

inaccurate statement

Similar to "incorrect statement", but suggests a lack of precision rather than outright falsehood.

untrue declaration

Emphasizes the act of declaring something to be true when it is not.

fallacious argument

Shifts the focus to the reasoning behind the assertion, implying a flaw in logic.

mistaken belief

Highlights the internal state of holding an incorrect conviction.

unfounded allegation

Suggests a lack of evidence to support the assertion, often in a legal or accusatory context.

baseless contention

Implies the assertion has no foundation in fact or evidence.

invalid proposition

A more formal term, often used in philosophical or mathematical contexts.

spurious declaration

Implies the declaration is deceitful or illegitimate.

FAQs

How to use "erroneous assertion" in a sentence?

You can use "erroneous assertion" to describe a statement presented as fact that is, in reality, incorrect. For example: "The politician's speech was filled with "erroneous assertions" about the economy."

What can I say instead of "erroneous assertion"?

You can use alternatives like "false claim", "incorrect statement", or "inaccurate statement" depending on the context.

Is "erroneous assertion" formal or informal?

"Erroneous assertion" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, or news-related contexts. Simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for informal settings.

What is the difference between "erroneous assertion" and "unsubstantiated claim"?

While both phrases describe statements lacking validity, "erroneous assertion" implies that the statement is factually wrong, whereas "unsubstantiated claim" suggests that there isn't enough evidence to support the statement, but it might still be true.