mere assertion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mere assertion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a statement that is made without any supporting evidence or proof, often implying that the statement lacks credibility. Example: "His claim about the product's effectiveness was nothing more than a mere assertion, lacking any scientific backing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

But this is mere assertion.

Cornell University

All else is mere assertion and speculation.

Cornell University

Nonetheless, the mere assertion that QE is symmetric is, in effect, asymmetric.

The Economist

It may be true but it is not on the mere assertion".

The Guardian

He firmly rejects liberal individualism as nihilistic, the mere assertion that the meaning of life is me.

The Guardian - Books

The alternative — in which an act is legal or illegal at the mere assertion of the executive — is tyranny.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Mere assertions about the relative efficiencies of competing projects will not do.

Cornell University

As for her Christmas holiday, Ms. Alliot-Marie told reporters there were was no question of her resigning "over false claims, mere assertions".

The New York Times

We would welcome a serious discussion of the costs, rather than mere assertions, and are open to new information, either from Trump or from experts in construction engineering who have crunched the numbers.

The Washington Post

It averts the need to shoot much, if any, new footage, and through the use of actual images and the words of the target — sometimes misleading, sometimes not — the negative message can be made to appear more credible than mere assertions.

The New York Times

He first reminded Grant that he himself had been "cast down by a mere newspaper assertion of 'crazy,'" but after recovering his confidence at Shiloh had been given "new life and now... was in high feather".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When critiquing an argument, specify why a statement is a "mere assertion" by pointing out the missing evidence or logical reasoning. This strengthens your counter-argument and provides constructive feedback.

Common error

Avoid presenting your own claims as "mere assertions". Always back up statements with facts, data, or logical reasoning to make your argument more convincing and credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mere assertion" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object of a verb (e.g., "is", "remains") or the object of a preposition (e.g., "based on"). It is used to characterize a statement as lacking supporting evidence. Ludwig AI validates this by showing its usage in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

36%

News & Media

56%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mere assertion" is a commonly used term to describe a statement lacking supporting evidence or justification. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in academic, news, and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it's crucial to clearly articulate why a statement is considered a "mere assertion" by pointing out the missing evidence or logical fallacies. Alternatives such as "baseless claim" or "unsubstantiated statement" offer similar meanings with slightly different emphasis. Avoid presenting your own claims as "mere assertions" by always providing supporting evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

baseless claim

Emphasizes the lack of factual basis for the statement.

unsubstantiated statement

Highlights the absence of evidence to support the statement.

unsupported allegation

Suggests a claim made without any proof.

bald assertion

Implies the statement is blunt and without any attempt at justification.

empty declaration

Highlights the lack of substance or meaning behind the statement.

simple affirmation

Focuses on the straightforward and uncomplicated nature of the statement.

bare pronouncement

Emphasizes the lack of embellishment or detail in the statement.

unconfirmed report

Indicates the statement has not been verified or corroborated.

unproven proposition

Suggests the statement is a suggestion or idea that has not been demonstrated.

ipse dixit

Latin term meaning "he himself said it", indicating the statement is based solely on the authority of the speaker.

FAQs

How can I use "mere assertion" in a sentence?

Use "mere assertion" to describe a statement presented as fact without supporting evidence. For example, "The company's claim of increased profits was a "mere assertion", as they provided no financial data to back it up."

What's the difference between a "mere assertion" and a "hypothesis"?

A "mere assertion" is a statement presented as fact without evidence, while a hypothesis is a testable explanation for a phenomenon. A hypothesis requires experimentation and data to support or refute it; a "mere assertion" typically lacks any such backing.

What are some alternatives to "mere assertion"?

You can use alternatives like "baseless claim", "unsubstantiated statement", or "unsupported allegation" depending on the context.

Is it always negative to call something a "mere assertion"?

Yes, calling something a "mere assertion" is generally negative. It implies that the statement lacks credibility due to the absence of supporting evidence and should be treated with skepticism.