just an assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just an assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express that something is merely a belief or idea without concrete evidence. Example: "While I appreciate your input, I must clarify that my conclusion is just an assumption based on the available data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"It's just an assumption".

The New York Times

This is obviously just an assumption.

The Economist

But this was just an assumption.

The New York Times

Although that's just an assumption based on a single image.

The Guardian - Film

Lau suspects that only users who have purchased an item can review it, although this is just an assumption.

The Washington Post

"But this is just an assumption," warns Tookey, "We can't be sure of the future because the virus is good at developing resistance to specific drugs, and none of these children have ever lived into middle – or older age".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

But now I've just made an assumption.

University of California, Berkeley

Maybe he just made an assumption.

The New Yorker

That idea is an artifact of the old Billboard charting system, which was premised on just such an assumption.

The New Yorker

But some in the White House, including in Cheney's office, had made just such an assumption — that "the lack of evidence means they must have it," the former official said.

The New Yorker

Consult with your tax or investment professional to help figure out the kind of gain - don't just make an assumption.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "just an assumption", ensure you clearly communicate the degree of uncertainty involved. Qualify it further by explaining the basis for the assumption or acknowledging potential counterarguments.

Common error

Avoid presenting an idea as definitively true when it's "just an assumption". Use hedging language to indicate uncertainty and avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just an assumption" functions as a qualifier, expressing that a statement is based on belief or conjecture rather than concrete evidence. Ludwig AI examples show it's often used to introduce a degree of uncertainty or to highlight the lack of solid proof for a claim.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "just an assumption" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that a statement is based on belief or conjecture rather than solid proof. As Ludwig AI points out, it serves as a qualifier, tempering assertions and expressing doubt. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse contexts, from news reporting to academic discourse. When using this phrase, it is crucial to acknowledge the uncertainty involved and avoid presenting it as a definitively true fact. While "just an assumption" appears frequently in news, science, and academic sources, according to Ludwig, it's important to consider more precise alternatives for formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merely a supposition

Replaces "assumption" with "supposition" and "just" with "merely", emphasizing the lack of evidence.

only a presumption

Replaces "assumption" with "presumption" and "just" with "only", highlighting that the idea is based on limited evidence.

simply a guess

Substitutes "assumption" with the more informal "guess" and "just" with "simply", indicating a less formal and potentially less informed belief.

purely speculative

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise and formal expression, emphasizing the lack of factual basis.

largely conjectural

Substitutes "just an assumption" with "largely conjectural", which is more formal and highlights the reliance on guesswork.

based on speculation

Focuses on the speculative nature of the idea, highlighting its lack of grounding in concrete facts.

mostly theoretical

Replaces "assumption" with "theoretical" and "just" with "mostly", suggesting the idea is based on abstract concepts rather than concrete evidence.

an unproven assertion

Emphasizes the lack of proof for the statement, highlighting its tentative nature.

a tentative hypothesis

Replaces "just an assumption" with a more scientific term, indicating a provisional explanation that requires further investigation.

a working hypothesis

Indicates that the assumption is being used as a starting point for further work or investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "just an assumption" in a sentence?

You can use "just an assumption" to express that something is a belief or idea without concrete evidence. For instance, "His theory is "just an assumption" based on limited data".

What phrases are similar to "just an assumption"?

Alternatives include phrases like "merely a supposition", "simply a guess", or "only a presumption", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "just an assumption" in formal writing?

While usable, in formal contexts it's often better to use more precise and nuanced language that clarifies the degree of uncertainty. Consider using "tentative hypothesis" or "based on speculation".

What's the difference between "just an assumption" and "a proven fact"?

"Just an assumption" implies a lack of concrete evidence, whereas "a proven fact" indicates that something has been verified with evidence. Using the correct phrase is crucial for accurately conveying information.