make some assumptions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make some assumptions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing hypothetical situations or when you need to establish a basis for further reasoning or analysis. Example: "In order to proceed with the project, we need to make some assumptions about the budget and timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let's make some assumptions.

Yale University

And so we have to make some assumptions about recombination.

Cornell University

You hear "pizza" and "Chicago" and you make some assumptions.

The Washington Post

In trying to answer this question, Prakken and Varvares had to make some assumptions.

The New Yorker

The simplest ones make some assumptions what a music signal looks like, then eliminate everything else.

The New York Times - Tech

YOU might make some assumptions about Jonathan Rojewski when you hear about his life.

The New York Times

In each case, I'll have to make some assumptions to simplify things.

Cornell University

Sellers will eye up buyers arriving on their home-page, make some assumptions, then charge accordingly.

The Economist

I would make some assumptions about the budget and then anchor a number in my head.

The New York Times

However neutral the auditors, they will make some assumptions others will find questionable.

The Economist

We take educated guesses, make some assumptions, then come up with a perfect theoretical solution.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make some assumptions", clearly state the assumptions you are making to ensure transparency and avoid ambiguity. This helps readers understand the basis of your reasoning and evaluate its validity.

Common error

Avoid making implicit or unacknowledged assumptions that can undermine the credibility of your argument. Always explicitly state the assumptions you are making and, when possible, provide a rationale for why these assumptions are reasonable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make some assumptions" functions as a verb phrase that introduces a set of presuppositions or conditions taken as true for the purpose of further analysis or reasoning. According to Ludwig, it's a correct and usable English phrase. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its role in academic, scientific, and business contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

28%

News & Media

45%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make some assumptions" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate the introduction of foundational premises for reasoning or analysis. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide applicability across academia, news, science, and formal business contexts. While generally neutral to formal, it is crucial to state these assumptions explicitly to maintain transparency and credibility. Alternatives like "formulate some hypotheses" or "posit some premises" can be used depending on the specific nuance required. When employing this phrase, be mindful to avoid unacknowledged or poorly justified assumptions, which can weaken the strength of your argument or model.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formulate some hypotheses

Focuses on creating testable predictions or explanations based on limited evidence.

hypothesize certain scenarios

Focuses on creating potential narratives or sequences of events based on available data.

posit some premises

Emphasizes the establishment of foundational statements as a basis for reasoning.

conjecture certain outcomes

Suggests forming an opinion or supposition about how things will turn out.

speculate on possible causes

Suggests forming a theory or conjecture about why something happened.

stipulate certain conditions

Highlights the setting of specific requirements or terms for a particular situation.

theorize specific mechanisms

Focuses on developing a systematic explanation for underlying processes or interactions.

presuppose certain facts

Implies taking particular information as true or granted before further analysis.

deduce underlying factors

Implies reaching a conclusion based on logical reasoning and evidence.

inferential reasoning

Focuses on drawing conclusions from evidence and prior knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "make some assumptions" in a sentence?

You can use "make some assumptions" to introduce the foundational conditions for your argument or analysis. For example, "To simplify the model, we need to "make some assumptions" about market behavior."

What are some alternatives to "make some assumptions"?

Alternatives include "formulate some hypotheses", "posit some premises", or "stipulate certain conditions", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "make assumptions" or "formulate hypotheses"?

While both phrases involve projecting ideas, "make assumptions" implies taking certain conditions as granted, whereas "formulate hypotheses" suggests creating testable predictions based on evidence.

When is it appropriate to "make some assumptions" in writing?

It's appropriate to "make some assumptions" when dealing with incomplete data or complex situations where simplification is necessary for analysis. Always ensure that the assumptions are clearly stated and justified.