false presumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "false presumption" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an assumption or belief that is not correct or is not based on sufficient evidence. For example, "The public had a false presumption that the politician was honest, when in fact he had been involved in several scandals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Digital makes the false presumption that you can predict those ripples, but Jimi and I were always looking for the warning signs.

The Guardian - Music

For six men involved in the trial in London of a new anti-inflammatory drug designed by TeGenero, a German firm, that was, however, a false presumption.

The Economist

It is argued that the recent criticism by Fodor (Cognition 75 (2000) 29) of "cheater detection" in the Wason selection task is based upon a false presumption about what the task entails.

Cognition

There was a decent amount of water out there, he went on to explain, but it was a false presumption that it could sustain all the farms, all the cities, all the rivers.

The New York Times - Magazine

That sounds antithetical to the encounters many of us have had with consultants and specialists, but in Verghese's view, clinical abstraction is a manufactured problem, the consequence of our false presumption that there is such a thing as scientific neutrality.

The Guardian - Books

The possible causes of the observed conservatism are discussed, and it is demonstrated that the method currently used to calculate the effective section factor for protected CFS columns is based on a false presumption that both unprotected and protected CFS columns can be treated in the same manner.

Fire Safety Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Also, he said, "In my opinion, Obama had a few false presumptions.

The New Yorker

Alchemy and its false presumptions must be distinguished from scientific knowledge, such as mathematics, mineralogy, chemistry, zoology, and botany.

SEP

Ultimately, such false presumptions are the problem that flows throughout the article.

Huffington Post

To cover a story with breadth, objectivity and integrity does not include false reports and presumptions of the cause of one's death, be they a celebrity or not.

Huffington Post

Your apologia, of sorts, regarding your coverage of the dubious case of Wen Ho Lee suggests a false premise: that the presumption of innocence applies only in the courtroom and need create no barrier to the coverage of alleged crimes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "false presumption", clearly articulate why the presumption is incorrect and what evidence contradicts it. This strengthens your argument and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Don't rely on the context to make it clear why the presumption is false. Explicitly state the factual inaccuracies to ensure your audience understands the issue fully.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "false presumption" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI examples show it's used to identify an incorrect or unfounded belief that influences a situation or argument.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "false presumption" is a noun phrase used to identify and critique incorrect assumptions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic discourse. When using "false presumption", ensure clarity by explicitly stating the factual inaccuracies. Alternative phrases such as "incorrect assumption" or "unfounded belief" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to avoid the common mistake of assuming the falsehood is obvious; always provide supporting evidence. Its level of formality is neutral to formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incorrect assumption

Focuses on the inaccuracy of the assumption, rather than the act of presuming.

unfounded belief

Highlights the lack of a solid foundation for the belief.

mistaken assumption

Emphasizes the error in the assumption made.

flawed premise

Indicates a defect in the initial proposition or argument.

erroneous presupposition

A more formal way of saying "false presumption", highlighting the incorrect nature of the prior belief.

baseless conjecture

Highlights that the idea is only based on speculation and has no strong evidence.

unsubstantiated claim

Emphasizes the lack of evidence to support the assertion.

invalid premise

Indicates that the foundation upon which something is based is not valid.

dubious assumption

Suggests the assumption is questionable and unlikely to be correct.

fallacious belief

Emphasizes the deceptive nature of the belief, implying it's based on a fallacy.

FAQs

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

You can use "false presumption" to point out an incorrect belief underlying an argument or action. For example, "The project failed due to the "false presumption" that the market was ready for the product."

What's a more formal synonym for "false presumption"?

A more formal alternative to "false presumption" is "erroneous presupposition". It carries a similar meaning but is often used in academic or legal contexts.

Is it redundant to say "false presumption", since a presumption is already an assumption?

While a presumption is a type of assumption, adding "false" emphasizes that the assumption is not just unproven, but demonstrably incorrect. It's used for clarity and emphasis.

What is the difference between "false assumption" and "false presumption"?

"False assumption" and "false presumption" are very similar. "Presumption" often implies a belief taken for granted or used as a basis for reasoning, while "assumption" is a more general term for something accepted as true.