initial assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initial assumption" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to an idea or belief that is accepted at the beginning of a situation or argument, before any evidence is presented. Example: The initial assumption of the project team was that increasing marketing efforts would lead to higher sales, but after analyzing the data, they discovered that it was actually product quality that had the biggest impact on sales.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That followed an initial assumption that the Israeli Army was responsible.

The New York Times

Wiley's initial assumption was that CIJA would end up, at best, building cases against regional commanders.

The Guardian

That's a contradiction, which means Gödel's initial assumption -- that the proposition was provable -- is wrong.

The New York Times - Books

To overcome this obstacle, initial assumption should be informed and improved through subsequent analysis.

Air Conditioning System Design Manual

The so determined radiative efficiency is virtually constant at low LX, in accord with our initial assumption.

Harvard University

These solutions are used to improve the initial assumption of the interface temperature until convergence.

International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer

In this type of analysis, if the data are uncertain, then the initial assumption will be supported.

Columbia University

I had the initial assumption that they had come here because of the city's reputation as a liberal, open-minded place, but that notion was quickly dispelled.

The New Yorker

A report by Cambridge Economic Policy Associates (CEPA) last year said: "Gavi's initial assumption that market forces would lead to a reduction in vaccine prices has not occurred..

The Guardian

There was an initial assumption in the West that the end of the cold war in 1991 brought universal jubilation.

The New York Times - Arts

And pointing to a recovery had been part of the initial assumption about how to survive in 2015.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "initial assumption", clearly state it at the beginning of your argument or analysis to provide context and transparency. This helps readers understand the foundation upon which your reasoning is built.

Common error

Avoid treating your "initial assumption" as an unchallengeable truth. Be prepared to revise or discard it if evidence suggests otherwise. Rigorously test your assumption against available data to maintain credibility and avoid flawed conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial assumption" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a preliminary belief or starting point in a line of reasoning or investigation, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initial assumption" is a commonly used noun phrase that refers to a preliminary belief or starting point in reasoning. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various domains, including science, news, and academia. When writing, clearly state your "initial assumption" at the beginning and be prepared to revise it based on evidence. Alternatives like "starting premise" or "preliminary hypothesis" can be used depending on the context. Remember, treating an "initial assumption" as an unchallengeable truth can lead to flawed conclusions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Starting premise

Focuses on the foundational aspect of the assumption.

Preliminary hypothesis

Emphasizes the tentative nature of the assumption, particularly in scientific contexts.

Initial premise

Replaces "assumption" with "premise", highlighting its role as a basis for reasoning.

Working hypothesis

Highlights that the assumption is currently in use but may be subject to change.

Base assumption

Emphasizes that the assumption is foundational and fundamental.

Underlying assumption

Highlights the assumption's role as a less visible, foundational element.

Original belief

Replaces "assumption" with "belief", suggesting a stronger conviction.

Starting point

Shifts the focus to the initial stage of a process or argument.

Initial thought

Implies a preliminary consideration or idea.

Basic presupposition

Replaces both "initial" and "assumption" with synonyms, focusing on the assumed nature of the premise.

FAQs

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

You can use "initial assumption" to introduce a starting point or belief in an argument, like: "The team's "initial assumption" was that the market would respond positively to the new product."

What's a good alternative to "initial assumption"?

Depending on the context, consider alternatives such as "starting premise", "preliminary hypothesis", or "working hypothesis".

Is it okay to change my "initial assumption" during research?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable and often necessary. The scientific method encourages revising or discarding your "initial assumption" based on new evidence or data.

What makes an "initial assumption" valid?

A valid "initial assumption" is one that is clearly stated, based on some preliminary evidence or logical reasoning, and is open to revision based on further investigation. It shouldn't be treated as an unquestionable truth.