general assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "general assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a widely held belief or idea that is accepted without proof or evidence. Example: "The general assumption is that people prefer to work in a collaborative environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The general assumption was that Rodriguez was clean.

The New York Times - Sports

And there's a general assumption that, whatever the details, this is what did for Madame Jojo's.

The Guardian

The general assumption is that the former should always trump the latter.

The Guardian - Sport

Is it possible to make a general assumption about what material women enjoy?

The Guardian

The general assumption in Western law is that it can be.

Britannica

Something many appeals to openness share is the general assumption that it is a good thing.

The Guardian

In robust design, the general assumption is that the experimental data are normally distributed without contamination.

Computers & Industrial Engineering

There's a general assumption that emotional people are always flying off the handle.

The New York Times

He added: "The general assumption about human exhumation is that they should stay in the ground.

Independent

The general assumption is that he was victim of a mafia killing.

Independent

The general assumption is that prosecuting him would be unlikely to result in a conviction.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "general assumption", ensure that you clarify whether you agree with the assumption or intend to challenge it. This provides clarity and prevents misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "general assumption" when the belief is only held by a small group. Ensure the assumption is genuinely widespread before using the phrase to maintain accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general assumption" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is widely used in different contexts. For example, "The general assumption is that..."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "general assumption" is a commonly used noun phrase that refers to a widely held belief or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is frequently found in news, scientific articles, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, it's important to clarify your stance on the assumption and avoid overstating its generality. Related phrases include "common belief", "prevailing view", and "accepted wisdom". Recognizing the different contexts in which "general assumption" appears allows for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

common belief

Focuses on the shared nature of the belief among a group of people.

prevailing view

Emphasizes the widespread acceptance and influence of the opinion.

accepted wisdom

Highlights the established and unquestioned nature of the assumption.

conventional understanding

Stresses the traditional and widely recognized interpretation of something.

general consensus

Indicates agreement among a group of people about a particular idea.

popular notion

Suggests that the idea is widespread and well-liked among the public.

standard expectation

Focuses on what is typically anticipated or believed to be the norm.

typical assumption

Highlights the ordinariness and commonality of the assumption.

presumed idea

Indicates that the idea is taken for granted without concrete proof.

widely held view

Emphasizes the broad acceptance of the opinion among a large group.

FAQs

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

You can use "general assumption" to introduce a widely held belief, for example: "The "general assumption" is that the economy will improve next year."

What phrases can I use instead of "general assumption"?

Alternatives include "common belief", "prevailing view", or "accepted wisdom" depending on the context.

Is it always accurate to refer to a belief as a "general assumption"?

No, using "general assumption" implies that the belief is widely held. If the belief is only common among a specific group, it's more accurate to describe it as a belief specific to that group.

What's the difference between a "general assumption" and a "hypothesis"?

A "general assumption" is a belief taken for granted, while a hypothesis is a testable statement based on limited evidence that requires further investigation. A hypothesis is often a starting point for research.