innocent assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "innocent assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a belief or idea that is made without malice or ill intent, often in a context where the assumption may be naive or overly simplistic. Example: "Her innocent assumption that everyone would be on time led to a delay in the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

— It was an innocent assumption, and for Andy Pettitte to challenge it said a lot about the psyche of his dazed team.

The New York Times - Sports

But it seems we are to question even this relatively innocent assumption -- at least in the novels of Diane Johnson, who has given us first "Le Divorce" and now "Le Mariage".

The New York Times - Books

I began with the innocent assumption that the internet provides an essentially free forum in which to "hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers" – in line with our right to freedom of speech as set out in the Human Rights Act.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nonetheless, given the lack of information in the data available to us, it is an innocent assumption.

Health Economics Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Journal impact factors, the numbers of citations, h-indexes, page views, downloads and various other measures have their advocates and their critics but with a few exceptions the conversation about these metrics has involved an innocent and blind assumption that they have been calculated in a reliable fashion.

eLife

For the innocent, there are the assumptions on sight that they were all drug dealers.

The New York Times

Ms. Jurgensen said Mr. Kelley had been permitted to play an active role in the investigation because "we had the assumption he was innocent".

The New York Times

We once operated under the assumption that you were innocent until proven guilty.

Huffington Post

Or, at least, they seem to have unlearned the assumption that everyone pleading innocent to a crime is probably guilty.

Vice

It must be a genuine assumption that he is an innocent man caught in a nightmare.

The New York Times

After Hatfill was identified, Kristof wrote that there "must be a genuine assumption that he is an innocent man caught in a nightmare".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the context makes it clear why the assumption is considered "innocent". This usually involves highlighting a lack of awareness, malice, or intent to deceive.

Common error

Avoid using "innocent assumption" as a catch-all phrase for any mistake. Reserve it for situations where the lack of awareness or malice is a key aspect of the situation. If the error stems from negligence or incompetence, a different phrase may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "innocent assumption" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "innocent" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "assumption". Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. The phrase typically identifies a belief or idea held without malice or awareness of negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "innocent assumption" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a belief held without malicious intent or awareness of negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While relatively uncommon, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, primarily within news and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you're highlighting the lack of malice or awareness to distinguish it from simple mistakes. Alternatives such as "naive supposition" or "unwarranted presumption" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

naive supposition

Replaces "assumption" with "supposition", emphasizing a lack of awareness or understanding.

unwarranted presumption

Highlights the lack of justification for the assumption.

harmless belief

Focuses on the lack of harmful intent or consequence.

unfounded expectation

Emphasizes the absence of a solid basis for the expectation.

simple misjudgment

Presents the assumption as an error in judgment without malice.

benign preconception

Highlights the harmless nature of the preconceived idea.

unexamined premise

Focuses on the lack of critical evaluation of the underlying premise.

unsophisticated inference

Indicates a lack of complexity or nuance in the reasoning process.

unquestioned notion

Stresses the lack of scrutiny or challenge to the idea.

trusting acceptance

Emphasizes the unquestioning nature of the acceptance of the idea.

FAQs

What does "innocent assumption" mean?

The phrase "innocent assumption" refers to a belief or idea that is taken to be true without any malicious intent or awareness of potential negative consequences. It often implies a certain naivety or lack of experience.

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

You can use "innocent assumption" in a sentence like this: "Her innocent assumption that everyone would be on time led to a delay in the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "innocent assumption"?

You can use alternatives like "naive supposition", "unwarranted presumption", or "harmless belief" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "innocent assumption"?

It's appropriate to use "innocent assumption" when you want to convey that a belief or idea is held without any malicious intent or awareness of potential negative consequences. The context should make it clear why the assumption is considered "innocent".