gratuitous assertions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gratuitous assertions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe statements or claims that are made without sufficient evidence or justification, often seen as unnecessary or excessive. Example: "The article was filled with gratuitous assertions that lacked any factual basis, making it difficult to take the author's arguments seriously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Is "our culture" a "limbo of arbitrary choices and gratuitous assertions," as Kramer wrote in 1972?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The assertion, moreover, casts a gratuitous slur — which I greatly regret — on the countless responsible married people who practice contraception and whose family life is an example to all".

The New Yorker

Gratuitous, too.

The New York Times

Or gratuitous?

The Guardian

Stark, gratuitous.

The Guardian

Note that gratuitous "lamely".

The New York Times - Books

"They are not gratuitous.

Independent

It's just gratuitous.

Independent

Adding Glass felt gratuitous.

The New York Times

Literature is necessarily gratuitous.

Independent

It was gratuitous.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gratuitous assertions", ensure you can clearly articulate why the claims lack justification or are unnecessary in the given context. Providing specific examples can strengthen your critique.

Common error

Avoid using "gratuitous assertions" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your tone sound overly critical or dismissive. Consider whether a more constructive or nuanced approach would be more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gratuitous assertions" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "gratuitous" modifies the noun "assertions". Ludwig examples show that the phrase is often used to criticize or dismiss claims lacking supporting evidence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gratuitous assertions" is a phrase used to describe claims or statements made without sufficient evidence or justification. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, though relatively rare in usage. Its primary function is to express criticism in formal contexts like news and media, by pointing out unsubstantiated claims. Related phrases include "unsubstantiated claims", "baseless allegations", and "unwarranted statements".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsubstantiated claims

Replaces "assertions" with "claims" and "gratuitous" with "unsubstantiated", emphasizing the lack of evidence.

baseless allegations

Substitutes "assertions" with "allegations" and "gratuitous" with "baseless", highlighting the absence of factual support.

unwarranted statements

Replaces "assertions" with "statements" and "gratuitous" with "unwarranted", suggesting the claims are not justified.

groundless pronouncements

Replaces "assertions" with "pronouncements" and "gratuitous" with "groundless", emphasizing the lack of foundation.

unfounded declarations

Substitutes "assertions" with "declarations" and "gratuitous" with "unfounded", pointing out the lack of basis.

empty pronouncements

Uses "empty" to describe the assertions, implying they lack substance or meaning.

pointless claims

Replaces "gratuitous" with "pointless", focusing on the lack of purpose or necessity.

needless declarations

Substitutes "gratuitous" with "needless", highlighting the lack of requirement.

extraneous statements

Replaces "gratuitous" with "extraneous", emphasizing that the statements are not relevant or essential.

superfluous pronouncements

Uses "superfluous" instead of "gratuitous", indicating that the pronouncements are excessive and unnecessary.

FAQs

How can I use "gratuitous assertions" in a sentence?

You can use "gratuitous assertions" to describe claims made without evidence or justification. For example: "The article was filled with "gratuitous assertions" that lacked any factual basis."

What are some alternatives to "gratuitous assertions"?

Alternatives to "gratuitous assertions" include "unsubstantiated claims", "baseless allegations", or "unwarranted statements", depending on the context.

What does it mean for a statement to be a "gratuitous assertion"?

A "gratuitous assertion" is a statement presented as a fact without any supporting evidence or logical reasoning. It is often seen as unnecessary or excessive, adding nothing of value to the discussion.

How can I identify "gratuitous assertions" in an argument?

Look for statements that are presented as facts but lack supporting evidence, logical reasoning, or any clear connection to the main argument. These statements are often "gratuitous assertions".