mere assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mere assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a belief or idea that is not based on evidence or certainty, often implying that it is insignificant or trivial. Example: "His conclusion was based on a mere assumption, lacking any substantial proof to support it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Greek authorities said the plane made sudden swerves as it plummeted but the Egyptians denied this; while one Egyptian forensics official's statement that the condition of human remains suggested a bomb was later dismissed by a more senior official as "completely false" and based on "mere assumption".

The Guardian

The mere assumption that equal treatment, regardless of gender is "fairness," is to say that the details and history don't matter.

Huffington Post

It is unknown if the film was initially planned or if it was mere assumption, but it was reported that it would be a two reel production in September 1913.

Wikipedia

Furthermore, the location of the D371 side chain in the NMR structure was dictated not only by the mere assumption that this side chain coordinates Ca2+, as implied in ref. [43], but also by multiple restraints derived from nuclear Overhauser enhancements [17].

Plosone

Our definition of a benign lesion, which is no growth and no serum-CEA increase after 1 year, however, is a mere assumption and not definitive proof that the lesion is truly benign.

Annals of Surgical Oncology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Everything published about this matter is completely false, and mere assumptions that did not come from the forensics authority," Hesham Abdelhamid was quoted as saying in a statement.

The Guardian

But Hisham Abdelhamid, head of Egypt's forensics authority, said this assessment was "mere assumptions" and that it was too early to draw conclusions.

The Guardian

In experimental sciences, any experiment is carried out within a framework of known facts and mere assumptions.

Data Handling in Science and Technology

"But all of that is mere assumptions.

Vice

More precisely, under a mere nonnegativity assumption on the nonlinearity, the authors begin this work by stating that up to space dimension (n=4), bounded stable solutions of (1.1) are trivial.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Knowledge is to be "distinguished from a mere representation, presumption, question, or assumption by the fact that a content appears here with a sense of objective necessity" (Dilthey 2002, 27 28).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mere assumption", ensure the context clearly indicates the lack of evidence or justification for the assumption. Strengthen your writing by providing counterarguments or alternative explanations.

Common error

Avoid using "mere assumption" to dismiss valid concerns or potentially significant factors. Acknowledge the limitations of your dismissal by providing strong evidence or arguments. Using "mere assumption" to dismiss something important may weaken your stance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mere assumption" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It serves to characterize a belief or idea as lacking substance or support. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mere assumption" is used to describe an idea or belief that lacks a solid foundation in evidence, thus prompting a degree of skepticism. Grammatically correct, it is most frequently used in news and scientific contexts and is considered neutral in tone. While examples are relatively rare, Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage. When incorporating this phrase into your writing, consider alternatives such as "simple guess" or "unsubstantiated claim" for variations in meaning, while ensuring you are not inappropriately dismissing valid points. Proceed with judicious application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sheer presumption

Emphasizes the boldness or audacity of the assumption.

simple guess

Highlights the lack of any reasoned basis for the assumption.

unsubstantiated claim

Focuses on the absence of evidence to support the assertion.

baseless assertion

Stresses the lack of any foundation or justification for the assumption.

pure conjecture

Indicates the assumption is entirely speculative and without factual basis.

blind leap

Suggests a significant risk and lack of information underlying the assumption.

unfounded belief

Highlights the lack of a valid reason for holding the belief.

tenuous hypothesis

Implies the assumption is weak and easily challenged.

speculative inference

Focuses on the uncertain nature of the conclusion drawn.

hasty generalization

Suggests the assumption is based on insufficient evidence or a small sample size.

FAQs

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

You can use "mere assumption" to indicate that something is based on speculation rather than evidence. For example, "His argument was based on a mere assumption, lacking any concrete data".

What's a good alternative to "mere assumption"?

Alternatives include "simple guess", "unsubstantiated claim", or "baseless assertion", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a mere assumption" or "the mere assumption"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "a mere assumption" is used when referring to one instance of an assumption, while "the mere assumption" refers to a specific assumption already mentioned or understood in the context.

What is the difference between "mere assumption" and "hypothesis"?

A hypothesis is a proposed explanation based on limited evidence that serves as a starting point for further investigation. A "mere assumption" implies a belief without any supporting evidence or intention for further testing.