make a supposition

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a supposition" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "make a supposition" when you're suggesting something as a possible explanation or idea. Example sentence: "Let's make a supposition that the Mona Lisa was painted by someone other than Leonardo da Vinci."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

So you can't really know what Putin's cut is, but you can make a supposition.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Now, on this state of things, let us make a supposition--not a very foreign one--and see the consequences, which would unquestionably follow from the principles of Sir William Blackstone.

University of Chicago

Chapman made a supposition that childbirth classes could possibly assist men in preparing for the changes they would witness in their partners during the labour experience [ 42].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

I'm going to make a little supposition here and suggest that the more male‑dominated an industry, the less of a toss it gives about domestic violence.

The Guardian - Opinion

When you do anything from a clear judgment that it ought to be done, never shun the being seen to do it, even though the world should make a wrong supposition about it; for, if you don't act right, shun the action itself; but, if you do, why are you afraid of those who censure you wrongly?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

First, we need to make a basic supposition.

TechCrunch

He also knew, or had made a good supposition, about Napoleon's orders, so he knew what to offer Mortier and Gazan as bait.

Wikipedia

Strong theoretical and empirical evidence supports the supposition that individuals who make a public commitment to a behavioral goal exhibit greater effort and persistence.

BMC Public Health

Inevitably, I've made a few informed suppositions but then, as we were recording last week, Buzzfeed broke the news that Mueller has documents to back up Cohen's claim that the president instructed him to lie to Congress.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It is possible to make the supposition that each of the examined energies executes some, expressly certain, function.

Nanoscale Research Letters

"The supposition is we, the insurance world, are making a decision if something is real or a forgery," Dorit Straus, worldwide fine art manager at Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make a supposition" when you want to introduce an idea as a possibility, often as a starting point for reasoning or discussion.

Common error

Avoid presenting a supposition as a definitive truth. Always clarify that it's an assumption, not an established fact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a supposition" functions as a verbal expression introducing a hypothetical idea or assumption. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable to suggest something as a potential explanation or idea.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make a supposition" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a hypothetical idea or assumption. Ludwig confirms its usability in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that you are presenting it as a possibility, not a definitive fact. Consider related phrases like "conjecture" or "hypothesize" to diversify your writing. As the examples illustrate, while it's a common expression, its use should be thoughtfully considered to maintain clarity and precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conjecture

This is a direct synonym, implying a guess or hypothesis.

hypothesize

This suggests forming a testable statement or prediction.

posit

This implies putting forward an idea or argument.

advance a theory

This phrase suggests presenting a formal explanation.

formulate a hypothesis

This indicates developing a structured, testable statement.

put forward a proposition

This suggests offering something for consideration.

advance an assumption

This focuses on presenting an idea as a basis for reasoning.

draw an inference

This implies reaching a conclusion based on evidence.

make an inference

This indicates reaching a conclusion based on evidence.

make a guess

This suggests making a conclusion based on limited information.

FAQs

How can I use "make a supposition" in a sentence?

You can use "make a supposition" to introduce a hypothesis or assumption, such as: "Let's "make a supposition" that the increase in sales is due to the new marketing campaign."

What phrases are similar to "make a supposition"?

Alternatives include "conjecture", "hypothesize", or "posit", all of which suggest presenting an idea as a possibility.

Is it better to "make a supposition" or "make an assumption"?

While similar, "make a supposition" often implies a more tentative or exploratory idea compared to "make an assumption", which can suggest a belief taken for granted. The best choice depends on the context.

When is it appropriate to "make a supposition" in writing?

It is appropriate to "make a supposition" when you are exploring different possibilities, proposing an initial idea for investigation, or presenting a hypothetical scenario.