he presupposes that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he presupposes that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's assumptions or beliefs that are taken for granted in a particular context or argument. Example: "In his analysis, he presupposes that all participants have prior knowledge of the subject matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If Elwood says, "The Queen of England has charming grandchildren," he presupposes that there is a unique queen of England, and says that her grandchildren are charming.

SEP

But observe that he presupposes that the things about which physics will inform us are properties and that is a category that physics has not used for several centuries.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He presupposed that the doctors went to elite institutions for undergraduate and graduate degrees and then worked in a lower-paying medical specialty such as pediatrics or general practice.

The Washington Post

It "presupposes that music exists in separate, independent strands, whereas I think all music is part of something bigger," he says.

The Guardian - Music

This analysis presupposes that commuting represents what economists call a rational choice, as opposed to a constrained choice.

The New Yorker

Our model presupposes that sort of uniqueness of demand, and solves specifically for that.

TechCrunch

"You never sent me that email, Mavis," presupposes that Mavis screwed up or didn't bother.

Huffington Post

The very fact that Boltzmann considers intervals for the values of $x$ and $y$ of arbitrary small sizes, and stressed the distinction between rational and irrational values of the ratio $a/b$, indicates that he did not silently presuppose that phase space was essentially discrete, where those distinctions would make no sense.

SEP

In saying (4) Elwood would presuppose that Bush invaded Iraq, and in (5) he would presuppose that Clinton had cheated on his wife, and then stopped doing so for a period of time (possibly rather short).

SEP

Mr. Klinkenborg is worried about the "technical narrowness" of some college programs and the "rush to make education pay off"– which, he writes, "presupposes that only the most immediately applicable skills are worth acquiring".

The New York Times

It does not presuppose that AI is conscious - that is the question.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he presupposes that" when you want to highlight an underlying assumption that influences a person's reasoning or actions. It's effective in academic and analytical writing.

Common error

While "he presupposes that" is grammatically sound, it can sound overly formal in casual contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "he assumes that" or "he believes that" in less formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he presupposes that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing a proposition that someone takes as a given. It highlights the underlying assumptions influencing their reasoning or actions. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in analytical contexts, confirming its function in presenting assumed truths.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he presupposes that" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that someone is making an underlying assumption. According to Ludwig, while acceptable, it's relatively rare and leans toward formal contexts, often found in academic and scientific writing. For less formal situations, consider using simpler alternatives like "he assumes that". This phrase is most effective when the goal is to critically examine the basis of someone's reasoning, as it directly points out the assumptions that shape their conclusions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he assumes that

Replaces "presupposes" with a more common synonym, "assumes", indicating a belief taken without proof.

he presumes that

Similar to "assumes", but can also imply a legal or formal assumption.

he takes it for granted that

Emphasizes that the belief is accepted without question or examination.

he believes that

A simpler way to state a belief, lacking the implication of something being pre-established.

he posits that

Suggests a more formal and theoretical assertion, closer to a hypothesis.

he hypothesizes that

Indicates a tentative assumption made as a basis for reasoning or investigation.

he surmises that

Implies a conjecture based on limited evidence or intuition.

he infers that

Highlights a conclusion reached based on evidence and reasoning.

he deduces that

Suggests a conclusion reached through logical reasoning from established premises.

he postulates that

Introduces a basic principle or assumption, often in a formal or scientific context.

FAQs

What does "he presupposes that" mean?

The phrase "he presupposes that" means that someone assumes something to be true or factual, often as a basis for further reasoning or action. It indicates an underlying assumption that is taken for granted.

When is it appropriate to use "he presupposes that"?

It's appropriate to use "he presupposes that" in formal writing, academic analysis, or when you want to emphasize the underlying assumptions someone is making. It suggests a more considered or theoretical context.

What can I say instead of "he presupposes that"?

You can use alternatives like "he assumes that", "he takes it for granted that", or "he believes that" depending on the context.

Is "he presupposes that" formal or informal?

The phrase "he presupposes that" leans towards the formal side. Simpler alternatives like "he assumes that" are suitable for more casual contexts.