false assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "false assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a belief or statement that is wrong or unsubstantiated. For example, "His false assumption that I didn't want to go to the party caused feelings of hurt and frustration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is a false assumption.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her work shows that to be a completely false assumption.

The New York Times

"However, this seems to repeatedly be a false assumption".

The New York Times

And yet, too often, courts and legislatures make that false assumption.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ultimately, there's a fundamental false assumption that people are looking for more immersive and interactive experiences.

The Guardian

And she never makes the false assumption that the star athletes are also, uniformly, academic flops.

The New York Times - Sports

One false assumption about outsourcing has been that only manufacturing jobs would be lost.

The New Yorker

But most of us already have a plan (though that may be a false assumption, too).

The New York Times

The widespread perception that government is going to do it all is based on a false assumption.

The New York Times

Advocates of civic instruction share the widespread but false assumption that schools lack a compelling moral dimension.

The New York Times

It makes the false assumption that when today's youth turn to the internet, they turn to polished prose.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When addressing a "false assumption", clearly state the assumption first, then provide evidence or reasoning to debunk it. This approach enhances clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "false assumption" when you actually mean a hypothesis that has been disproven. A hypothesis is a testable statement, whereas an assumption is often an unexamined belief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "false assumption" functions as a noun phrase, where "false" modifies the noun "assumption". It identifies a premise or belief that is not true. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "false assumption" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to identify incorrect or unsubstantiated beliefs. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating its use across diverse contexts, from news and media to science and formal writing. Understanding and identifying "false assumptions" is crucial for clear communication and sound reasoning. Related phrases include "wrong assumption", "incorrect premise", and "erroneous belief". By recognizing and addressing these flawed assumptions, we can foster more accurate and informed discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wrong assumption

Replaces "false" with "wrong", indicating a flawed belief.

mistaken assumption

Highlights the error in the assumption.

invalid assumption

Uses "invalid" to express the lack of logical validity.

incorrect premise

Substitutes "assumption" with "premise", referring to a basis for reasoning that is incorrect.

erroneous belief

Replaces "assumption" with "belief", emphasizing the incorrectness of the belief itself.

untrue presumption

Indicates that the presumption is not in accordance with fact or reality.

unfounded presupposition

Uses "unfounded" to highlight the lack of basis for the presupposition.

baseless supposition

Replaces "assumption" with "supposition", emphasizing that there's no foundation.

misconceived notion

Suggests the notion is based on a misunderstanding.

fallacious notion

Employs "fallacious" to emphasize the deceptive nature of the notion.

FAQs

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

You can use "false assumption" to point out a belief that is incorrect. For example: "The argument was based on the "false assumption" that all participants had the same level of knowledge."

What are some alternatives to "false assumption"?

Alternatives include "wrong assumption", "incorrect premise", or "erroneous belief", depending on the specific context.

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

Both "incorrect assumption" and "false assumption" are acceptable. The choice often depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "False" often implies a stronger degree of untruth or deception.

What's the difference between a "false assumption" and a "misconception"?

A "false assumption" is a belief taken for granted that turns out to be wrong, whereas a "misconception" is a misunderstanding or incorrect view of something. A "misconception" might arise from a lack of information.