erroneous assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "erroneous assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a belief or idea that is incorrect or based on a misunderstanding. Example: "The project's failure was largely due to an erroneous assumption about the market demand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was a completely erroneous assumption.

The Guardian - Arts

This is an erroneous assumption, because this theory postulates that Smurfs reproduce sexually.

The New York Times

The approach is based on the erroneous assumption that whatever threatens America (Iran, North Korea, etc).

The New York Times

Newton hypothesized that light is corpuscular in its nature, each colour represented by a different particle speed, an erroneous assumption.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The first erroneous assumption it contains is that there are some people in Israel who are preventing the Army from winning.

The New Yorker

Mr. McKinney of the Met said this effort was based on the erroneous assumption that other people could contribute at the level of Mr. Bloomberg, a billionaire.

The New York Times - Arts

"The notion that invoking it in that case somehow means we are signing onto the Bush approach to the world is just an erroneous assumption".

The New York Times

Its new director needs to confront the erroneous assumption that more ill-thought-out and costly regulations are the key to achieving better environmental quality.

The Economist

Less observant Jews in Tenafly, N.J., and Westhampton Beach, N.Y., have fought their installation, under the erroneous assumption that an eruv would coerce them in some way.

The New York Times

The spokesman, Terry Dunn, maintained that "the court's order is premised largely on a completely erroneous assumption of fact, with no evidence to support it," and that G.E. had not been given a "full and fair hearing".

The New York Times

In much of the commentary, I've encountered the erroneous assumption that the book is written for corporate power players, which it isn't, and an odd expectation it should speak for all women, which it shouldn't.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure you clearly articulate why the "erroneous assumption" is incorrect and what the actual reality is. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences of the "erroneous assumption". While it's important to highlight the error, be factual about its impact rather than resorting to hyperbole.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "erroneous assumption" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "erroneous" modifies the noun "assumption". As Ludwig AI states, the phrase describes an incorrect or mistaken belief or idea. It commonly appears in contexts where errors in reasoning or judgment are being discussed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "erroneous assumption" is a commonly used phrase that identifies a flawed or incorrect belief. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in formal writing, particularly in academic, scientific, and news contexts. When using this phrase, clearly explain why the assumption is incorrect and avoid exaggerating its impact. Alternative phrases such as "false assumption" or "incorrect presumption" can be used for variety, but maintain the core meaning. Remember that, while both effectively communicate the idea of an incorrect belief, "erroneous" may sound slightly more formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

false assumption

Uses "false" instead of "erroneous", offering a more common synonym with identical meaning.

incorrect presumption

Replaces "assumption" with "presumption" and "erroneous" with "incorrect", slightly shifting the emphasis to taking something for granted incorrectly.

mistaken belief

Substitutes "assumption" with "belief", framing it as a held conviction rather than a starting point, and "erroneous" with "mistaken".

unfounded supposition

Replaces "assumption" with "supposition", implying a less firm basis, and "erroneous" with "unfounded", highlighting the lack of a solid foundation.

fallacious premise

Uses "premise" to suggest a basis for reasoning that is flawed, and "fallacious" for "erroneous", indicating a logical error.

flawed premise

Similar to "fallacious premise", but uses "flawed" which might imply a less severe error than "fallacious".

inaccurate inference

Shifts focus to the act of inferring, suggesting a faulty conclusion drawn from available data, using "inaccurate" to describe the error.

unjustified conclusion

Emphasizes that the conclusion lacks sufficient support, moving away from the initial assumption itself.

invalid hypothesis

Frames it as a testable statement that has been proven wrong or lacks support; "invalid" highlights that the original criteria were not met.

untenable proposition

Presents the idea as unsustainable or indefensible, stressing the weakness of the argument or idea.

FAQs

How can I use "erroneous assumption" in a sentence?

You can use "erroneous assumption" to point out a mistake in reasoning or a flawed belief. For example: "The project failed because it was built on the "false assumption" that demand would remain high."

What are some alternatives to saying "erroneous assumption"?

Alternatives include "false belief", "incorrect presumption", or "mistaken belief", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "erroneous assumption" or "false assumption"?

"Erroneous assumption" and "false assumption" are largely interchangeable. "Erroneous" may sound slightly more formal, but both effectively communicate the idea of an incorrect belief.

What's the difference between an "erroneous assumption" and an "unfounded assumption"?

While similar, an "erroneous assumption" implies the assumption is demonstrably wrong. An "unfounded assumption" suggests the assumption lacks a solid basis or evidence, but may not be definitively proven wrong.