premature assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "premature assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a conclusion or belief that is formed too early, without sufficient evidence or consideration. Example: "Making a premature assumption about the project's success can lead to significant setbacks down the line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"That premature assumption by defense lawyers can be one of the greatest obstacles to justice".

The New York Times

You will have noticed that I'm making a premature assumption here about the outcome of a case, Shelby County v. Holder, that was argued just last week.

The New York Times

This despicable man made a premature assumption that she was uneducated (or at least, not educated enough to understand High Valyrian), and Daenerys had allowed him to believe that.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In our attempts to assert our children's separate identities, might we be making premature assumptions?

The New York Times - Books

One reason, she suggests, is that both audiences and critics made some premature assumptions.

The New York Times - Arts

The Atlanta Braves' general manager would not divulge the team's plans for Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux but cautioned against premature assumptions.

The New York Times - Sports

Although banners at Dublin Airport proclaim, "70 minutes to Cardiff, 80 to Immortality," in reference to the flight time and the length of a rugby match and Leinster's presumed reward for victory, Leinster itself certainly is not making premature assumptions or shouting the odds.

The New York Times - Sports

However, we regard as premature the assumptions being made about narrative interactivity.

University of Chicago

That makes it premature to make assumptions about the succession.There are, though, more lasting signs that inspire some confidence about the direction and durability of change.

The Economist

My Forbes colleague James Conca, senior scientist for the Institute for Energy and the Environment at New Mexico State University, believes the radiation emissions permitted by EPA "may increase more than tenfold". But EPA officials say it's premature to make assumptions.

Forbes

Mr. Feinberg said such an assumption was premature at best.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Before acting on a belief, pause to consider whether you might be making a "premature assumption". Gathering more information often prevents errors.

Common error

Avoid treating initial impressions as facts. Even if your intuition feels strong, labeling it as a definitive truth can lead to a "premature assumption" and flawed decisions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "premature assumption" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence. It indicates a belief or conclusion formed before adequate evidence or consideration has been gathered. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is often used in contexts where caution against rushing to judgment is advised.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "premature assumption" describes a conclusion reached without sufficient evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and employed across diverse fields like news, academia, and science, carrying a neutral yet professional tone. The core purpose is to caution against hasty judgments, as underscored by the provided examples. To avoid this, gather ample data and be open to revising your views. Although the phrase is used infrequently, understanding its implications can significantly improve decision-making.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jumping to conclusions

An idiomatic phrase emphasizing the act of reaching a decision too quickly.

early conclusion

Focuses on the timing of the conclusion, suggesting it was reached too soon.

unfounded supposition

Emphasizes the lack of a solid basis for the assumption.

ill-considered belief

Indicates that the belief was formed without careful thought or consideration.

rash presumption

Emphasizes the boldness and recklessness of the presumption.

hasty generalization

Highlights the act of forming a broad conclusion based on limited evidence.

unwarranted inference

Highlights the lack of justification for drawing the inference.

precipitous judgment

Emphasizes the rashness and hastiness of the judgment.

unsubstantiated claim

Focuses on the lack of evidence to support the claim.

guesswork

Highlights the speculative nature of the conclusion.

FAQs

How can I avoid making a "premature assumption"?

To avoid making a "premature assumption", gather sufficient evidence, consider alternative explanations, and challenge your initial beliefs. Be open to revising your understanding as new information becomes available.

What's the difference between a "premature assumption" and a hypothesis?

A "premature assumption" is a belief formed without sufficient evidence, while a hypothesis is a testable explanation based on limited evidence. A hypothesis is a starting point for investigation, whereas a "premature assumption" is often treated as a proven fact.

What are some synonyms for "premature assumption"?

Alternatives to "premature assumption" include "hasty generalization", "early conclusion", and "unfounded supposition", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of the initial mistake.

Is it always bad to make a "premature assumption"?

While often detrimental, a "premature assumption" can sometimes serve as a starting point for exploring possibilities. However, it's crucial to recognize it as tentative and subject to change based on new data.