key presupposition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "key presupposition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing an underlying assumption that is essential to an argument or theory. Example: "The key presupposition of her argument is that all individuals have equal access to education."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

They pursued projects that were rarely at odds with US foreign policy and often shared many of its key ideological biases and presuppositions.

The Guardian - Opinion

The distinction between propositions and presuppositions is the key to Collingwood's critique of Ayer.

SEP

Essays include cutting-edge research in semantic relativism, presupposition, vagueness, quantification, the foundations of semantics, and other key issues at the heart of the philosophy of language and philosophical linguistics.

Stanford University

When presuppositions about rationality are made, we will never reach the expansive thought that Metzger considers key to scholarly activity in the past and present.

History of the Human Sciences

The presupposition is fantastical.

The New Yorker

Presupposition and Implicature: Laurence R. Horn.

Stanford University

Presupposition (D.I. Beaver).

Stanford University

This alone constitutes the presupposition of love.

Encyclopedia Britannica

DANIEL ROTHSCHILD Presupposition Projection and Logical Equivalence.

Stanford University

Part V: Focus, Presupposition and Negation:.

Stanford University

One could argue that the real flaw implicit in this parable was the presupposition about race.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "key presupposition", clearly articulate the presupposition itself to ensure your audience understands the underlying assumption upon which your argument or analysis is based. This helps to avoid ambiguity and strengthens the credibility of your reasoning.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "key presupposition" as an absolute truth without acknowledging alternative interpretations or potential challenges to the underlying assumption. Acknowledge different perspectives, which will enhance the strength of your argument by demonstrating that you've considered other angles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "key presupposition" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a foundational assumption that is crucial to an argument, theory, or analysis. Considering the lack of examples in Ludwig, the analysis relies on the general understanding and usage of the individual words.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "key presupposition" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote a fundamental assumption, even though it is not frequently encountered. While Ludwig indicates that the phrase is correct, the lack of examples suggests it's not a common expression. Its function is to pinpoint crucial, underlying assumptions in arguments or analyses, often in formal and scientific settings. Alternative phrases include "core assumption" or "fundamental premise". When employing this phrase, ensure the presupposition is clearly articulated and open to scrutiny. When assessing this analysis, it's important to remember that the absence of examples in Ludwig affects our ability to draw comprehensive conclusions about usage patterns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

core assumption

Replaces "presupposition" with "assumption", emphasizing the act of assuming something to be true.

fundamental premise

Substitutes both "key" and "presupposition" with synonyms, highlighting the foundational nature of the idea.

central tenet

Replaces the original phrase with terms emphasizing the central and guiding principle.

primary assumption

Uses "primary" instead of "key", indicating the most important assumption.

main underlying assumption

Adds "underlying" to further clarify that the assumption is not explicitly stated but is fundamental.

essential precondition

Highlights that the element is indispensable and comes before.

critical foundation

Emphasizes the importance of the presupposition as a base for further reasoning.

basic starting point

Focuses on the role of the presupposition as the initiation of an argument or reasoning.

underlying principle

Shifts from assumption to principle, emphasizing a more general guiding belief.

chief unstated belief

Replaces the word presupposition making the expression easier.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "key presupposition" in a sentence?

To effectively use "key presupposition", introduce it as a foundational assumption that underpins your argument or analysis. Clearly articulate the presupposition itself and explain its relevance to the overall discussion. For example: "The key presupposition of this study is that all participants have a basic understanding of the technology being evaluated."

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "key presupposition"?

Alternatives to "key presupposition" include "core assumption", "fundamental premise", or "primary assumption depending on the context".

What is the difference between a "key presupposition" and a regular assumption?

A "key presupposition" implies that the assumption is both fundamental and essential to the argument or analysis being presented. It suggests that the rest of the reasoning heavily relies on this particular assumption being valid. Whereas an assumption is only something considered to be true.

How can I identify a "key presupposition" in someone else's argument?

To identify a "key presupposition", look for underlying beliefs or assumptions that are not explicitly stated but are necessary for the argument to hold. Consider what the speaker or writer takes for granted and how their conclusions would be affected if that assumption proved false.