false assertion

USAGE SUMMARY

'false assertion' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a statement that is untrue or incorrect. Example: The witness gave a false assertion about the details of the crime.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The first objection is that I jumped to conclusions based on one person's false assertion.

The New York Times

The court ignored this false assertion and permitted the information to be published anyway.

The Guardian - Opinion

Non-disclosure can also involve a false assertion that there is no information to disclose.

The New Yorker

Witness, for example, is blatantly false assertion that the majority of scientists do not believe in global warming.

Princeton University

South Africa's system of apartheid was built on the simple, if false, assertion of "separate but equal".

Independent

The question, with its false assertion that Graham is gay, turned into a viral video on the Web.

The New Yorker

Seventy-five times, he has made the false assertion that he passed the biggest tax cut in U.S. history.

The Washington Post

There is no benign explanation for President Trump's false assertion that millions of people voted illegally in the last election.

The Washington Post

The Foyle MP added: 'After all it is worth remembering his contribution to the government's false assertion that military attack on Iraq in 2003 [was legal].

The Guardian

The first line of reasoning is that the Dodd-Frank financial reforms "ended too-big-to-fail," a patently false assertion about the current situation.

The New York Times

"His grandmother from Kenya stated, on tape, that he was born in Kenya and she was there to watch the birth," Trump wrote, which was a false assertion.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "false assertion", ensure that you can substantiate the claim that the assertion is indeed false with evidence or logical reasoning. Otherwise, using a more neutral term like 'disputed claim' might be more appropriate.

Common error

While "false assertion" is a perfectly valid phrase, avoid using it in casual conversation where simpler terms like 'lie' or 'untruth' would be more natural. Preserve it for formal writing and discussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "false assertion" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where 'false' modifies 'assertion'. This construction serves to identify a specific type of statement, one that is untrue or incorrect, as validated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "false assertion" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an untrue statement, as supported by Ludwig. It's most frequently used in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure you have a basis for claiming the assertion is false. While valid, it might sound overly formal in casual settings, where words like 'lie' are more appropriate. Ludwig’s findings confirm that while perfectly acceptable, context is key to make it sound more organic. Related terms include "incorrect claim" and "untrue statement", offering alternatives for varying levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

untrue statement

Replaces 'assertion' with a more general term, making it slightly less formal.

incorrect claim

Substitutes 'assertion' with 'claim', implying something presented as fact, now refuted.

erroneous statement

Uses a more formal synonym for 'false' and 'assertion', suitable for academic or professional contexts.

fabricated allegation

Suggests a deliberate and malicious falsehood, stronger than a simple mistake.

misleading representation

Focuses on the deceptive nature of the statement, rather than simply its untruth.

unfounded statement

Emphasizes the lack of evidence or basis for the statement.

deceptive declaration

Highlights the intention to mislead through the statement.

spurious contention

Implies that the statement is not only false, but also lacks legitimate support or reasoning.

bogus claim

Uses a more informal and dismissive term for 'false', suitable for less formal contexts.

fallacious argument

Indicates an error in reasoning within the statement, not just a factual inaccuracy.

FAQs

How can I use "false assertion" in a sentence?

You can use "false assertion" to describe a statement that is not true. For example: "The politician's claim about unemployment rates was a "false assertion"."

What's the difference between "false assertion" and a lie?

While both involve untrue statements, a "false assertion" focuses on the inaccuracy of the statement itself, whereas a 'lie' implies an intention to deceive. A "false assertion" might be made mistakenly, while a lie is always deliberate.

What can I say instead of "false assertion"?

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

Is "false assertion" redundant since assertions are supposed to be true by definition?

While assertions are generally presented as true, the phrase "false assertion" is commonly used to emphasize that the assertion in question is demonstrably untrue or misleading. It's not strictly redundant in common usage.