hypothetical assertions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hypothetical assertions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing statements or claims that are based on conjecture or assumptions rather than facts. Example: "In our debate, we explored several hypothetical assertions about the future of technology and its impact on society."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It offers anxious weeders a model of how to move through the process, with suggested rejoinders to such hypothetical assertions as "You can never have enough Sartre".

The New York Times - Arts

However, an earlier version of this entry (first published in 2007, last version Winter 2014) was organized around the relations of assertion to other topics, including truth and logic, and contained, e.g., discussions of conditional and hypothetical assertions.

SEP

Contrary to popular belief, it is the former rather than the latter which are typical of the natural sciences, which means that typically prediction in natural science is conditional and limited in scope it takes the form of hypothetical assertions stating that certain specified changes will come about if particular specified events antecedently take place.

SEP

But he repeatedly added that he had no information to back up those hypothetical assertions and insisted that no physical evidence suggested any reason to believe that the killings were drug-related.

Los Angeles Times

Thus, the functional separations of episodic memory, language, and mentalizing networks we propose here have to be understood as well-founded, yet hypothetical assertions.

Cerebral Cortex

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Goldberg makes his assertion with a hypothetical: If you are caught in a train car -- or college campus or movie theater -- under the fire of a lunatic killer, would you rather have a weapon to defend yourself or cower in fear under a seat?

Huffington Post

Barr's assertion is not completely hypothetical.

The Washington Post

Times of origins and extinctions hypothetical but staggered to reflect Darwin's assertion that the births and deaths of species are "gradual".

Evolution: Education and Outreach

They express assertion, negation, conditionality (a phrase using the word if, for instance), hypothetical thoughts and alternatives, as well as time, location, and cause.

HuffPost

"The assertion that Monsanto would pursue patent infringement against farmers that have no interest in using the company's patented seed technology was hypothetical from the outset," the company said in a statement issued Monday.

HuffPost

All the assertions made by the secretary of state are based on conjecture and totally hypothetical scenarios.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hypothetical assertions", ensure the context clearly indicates that these are not factual claims but rather possibilities or scenarios being explored.

Common error

Avoid presenting "hypothetical assertions" as definitive truths. Always frame them as possibilities or scenarios to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hypothetical assertions" functions as a noun phrase, where "hypothetical" modifies the noun "assertions". It describes statements or claims that are based on assumptions, speculation, or theoretical possibilities, rather than proven facts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hypothetical assertions" is a phrase used to describe claims or statements based on assumptions or speculation rather than concrete evidence. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, its purpose is to explore potential scenarios or argue based on assumed conditions. While not very frequent, understanding its usage is crucial for academic and analytical writing, ensuring clarity by distinguishing these assertions from factual claims. Consider alternatives like "speculative claims" or "theoretical statements" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

speculative claims

Replaces "hypothetical" with "speculative", emphasizing the uncertain nature of the claim.

theoretical statements

Uses "theoretical" instead of "hypothetical", focusing on the conceptual aspect of the assertions.

presumptive claims

Substitutes "hypothetical" with "presumptive", highlighting the assumption of truth without proof.

conditional statements

Focuses on the 'if-then' nature of the assertions, emphasizing their dependence on certain conditions.

conjectural statements

Replaces "hypothetical" with "conjectural", stressing the guess-work involved in the assertions.

supposed declarations

Emphasizes the imagined or assumed nature of the declarations.

assumed propositions

Highlights the acceptance of propositions as true without concrete evidence.

projected claims

Focuses on the prediction or forecast aspect of the assertions.

unproven allegations

Emphasizes the lack of verification for the claims being made.

tentative pronouncements

Highlights the provisional and uncertain nature of the pronouncements.

FAQs

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

You can use "hypothetical assertions" to introduce speculative arguments or scenarios. For example, "The debate focused on several "hypothetical assertions" about the potential impact of the policy."

What are some alternatives to saying "hypothetical assertions"?

You can use alternatives like "speculative claims", "theoretical statements", or "conjectural statements" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "hypothetical assertions" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "hypothetical assertions" when exploring possibilities, making predictions, or discussing potential outcomes based on certain assumptions. This is common in fields like science, economics, and philosophy.

Are "hypothetical assertions" the same as predictions?

While both involve looking into the future, "hypothetical assertions" are more about exploring conditional possibilities, whereas predictions are more direct statements about what one believes will happen. A "hypothetical assertion" might say, "If X occurs, then Y might happen", while a prediction states, "Y will happen".