factual assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "factual assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a belief or premise that is based on facts or evidence, often in contexts like research, analysis, or argumentation. Example: "The study was built on the factual assumption that increased exercise leads to better health outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This factual assumption relating the laws for the complex system to both the laws for the simpler systems and the relational structure is itself a law, not a specific causal law but rather a law about such laws.

SEP

This means that the deduction of the law for the complex system depends not only upon the laws for the simpler systems but also upon another factual assumption that relates the laws of the complex system to both the laws for the simpler systems and the relational structure the constitutes the complex system out of the simpler systems.

SEP

Shapiro responds to Goodin's argument by challenging his factual assumption that individuals would starve if they refused the workfare throffer.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

If the new proposals are adopted, Mr. Talisman said, they would "prohibit reliance on unreasonable factual assumptions and representations".

The New York Times

"Simply put, there has been a sudden and dramatic change in the core factual assumptions underlying the court's opinion, and plaintiffs' irreparable injury is more immediate and palpable than ever," wrote Theodore B. Olson in a brief filed with the appeals court late Friday night and released this morning.

The New York Times

First, are Elster's factual assumptions empirically plausible?

SEP

The research paper, entitled Evaluating the privacy properties of telephone metadata, details how the scientists investigated what they describe as the "factual assumptions that undergird policies of differential treatment for content and metadata", underlining how easily they were able to generate detailed intelligence from metadata.

TechCrunch

Moreover, while we certainly did not question the possibility of developing principled views in the field of actual publicity, factual assumptions present in most of the key arguments in this respect (e.g., in those of J.S. Mill or Elster) require more extensive empirical research.

SEP

The committee recommends that such contacts be banned completely in many cases, including "adjudicatory, rate setting and rule making proceedings that are contested and rely on critical factual assumptions".

Los Angeles Times

Thus, although these respondents shared basic factual assumptions about the existence of rational suicides, their statements highlight a normative difference on how healthcare should handle such cases.

BMC Medical Ethics

In some cases, evaluative abilities may be deficient because of distorted factual assumptions, e.g. incorrigible beliefs that no one cares about whether or not the person lives or dies (as in the case described by one of the respondents above), that nothing will be better, or unreasonable beliefs about personal guilt [ 34].

BMC Medical Ethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "factual assumption", ensure the 'facts' supporting the assumption are verifiable and credible. Clearly articulate the basis for your assumption to avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "factual assumption" as an absolute truth. Even when based on evidence, assumptions inherently involve a degree of uncertainty. Acknowledge potential limitations or alternative interpretations to maintain intellectual honesty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "factual assumption" functions as a noun phrase, where "factual" modifies the noun "assumption". It describes an assumption that is purported to be based on facts. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "factual assumption" is a noun phrase denoting a belief or premise based on facts, as affirmed by Ludwig. It's commonly used in formal and scientific registers to identify underlying assumptions in arguments or analyses. While not very frequent, the phrase is grammatically correct and is generally found in academic, news, and encyclopedia contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the 'facts' supporting the assumption are verifiable and credible, and acknowledge potential limitations to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evidence-based assumption

Emphasizes the role of evidence in forming the assumption.

fact-based premise

Highlights the factual basis as a starting point for reasoning.

empirically supported belief

Focuses on empirical data as the foundation for the belief.

real-world assumption

Stresses the connection to actual, observable phenomena.

grounded expectation

Implies a firm basis in reality for the expectation.

verified hypothesis

Suggests the assumption has undergone some degree of verification.

validated supposition

Indicates the supposition has been confirmed or supported.

substantiated claim

Highlights that the claim has been supported by evidence.

demonstrated presumption

Emphasizes the presentation of evidence to support the presumption.

established tenet

Suggests the assumption is a well-recognized and accepted principle.

FAQs

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

You can use "factual assumption" to describe a belief or premise that is based on facts or evidence. For example: "The model operates on the "factual assumption" that consumers act rationally."

What's the difference between "factual assumption" and "hypothesis"?

A "factual assumption" is a belief taken as true for the purpose of argument or analysis, based on existing knowledge. A hypothesis, by contrast, is a testable proposition that is yet to be proven. A hypothesis requires further testing before it can be considered a "factual assumption".

What are some alternatives to "factual assumption"?

Alternatives include "evidence-based assumption", "fact-based premise", or "empirically supported belief". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to challenge a "factual assumption"?

Yes, it's entirely appropriate. Critically evaluating "factual assumptions" is crucial in research and debate. Challenging the supporting evidence can reveal weaknesses or alternative interpretations.