presuppose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "presuppose" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is assumed or taken for granted in a discussion or argument. Example: "The theory presupposes that all individuals act rationally when making decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Because real liberty is the opportunity to go to the mall or board a plane in safety.Don Powell Ponte Vedra, Florida  SIR – You echoed the distressing number of our own politicians who presuppose a "balance between liberty and security".

The Economist

It has taken military action only to protect its citizens from armed aggression under the LTTE's brutal tyranny.You presuppose that the LTTE represents the Tamil community, which is not the case.

The Economist

As well as ignoring the reality that many non-Jews (such as evangelical Christians) back AIPAC, it belies the fact that being Jewish does not presuppose support for Israel, a point your newspaper astutely makes.

The Economist

The corporate debt market currently offers spreads that presuppose a high level of defaults; if that many companies are going bust, it is hard to see how equities can perform well.Richard Cookson is a strategist at HSBC and a former writer of the Buttonwood column.

The Economist

"We are a religious people, whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being," the Supreme Court said in 1952.

The Economist

Sub-Lacanian theory would presuppose that the signified "Baudrillard" is merely a neo-modernist capitalist paradox and "death" is a sub-textual patriarchalist paradigm interpolated through a post-colonialist hermeneutic.As such, as Sontag states, "society is dead"; the signifier is merely replicated as a series of pre-cultural totalities implying post-Foucaultian absurdity.

The Economist

Firstly, it belies the fact that being Jewish does not presuppose support for Israel (a point your newspaper astutely makes); Jews have complex relationships with Israel that are often papered over by AIPAC and its allies.

The Economist

Yet there is no way of writing about guns for children that does not presuppose in the latter an extraordinary maturity of thinking and acting.

The Economist

The designers didn't presuppose how the internet would be used and that has made it extremely flexible.

The Economist

does not presuppose that John is married.

SEP

All three notions presuppose assumption (c).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "presuppose", ensure the assumption is reasonable and widely accepted within your intended audience to avoid misunderstandings or objections.

Common error

Avoid using "presuppose" when the assumption is not universally understood or accepted. Clearly state the underlying assumption instead to ensure clarity and avoid alienating your audience.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "presuppose" is as a transitive verb. It indicates that something is taken for granted or assumed as a necessary condition for something else. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it often introduces a foundational assumption within an argument or model.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "presuppose" is used to indicate that something is assumed to be true as a precondition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in both scientific and news contexts. To enhance clarity, ensure the underlying assumption is widely accepted. Alternative phrases include "assume" or "take for granted". Its presence in the examples illustrates its utility in building arguments and models.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assume

Suggests accepting something as true without proof, closely related to "presuppose" in meaning.

presume

Indicates assuming something is true based on probability or likelihood, slightly less certain than "presuppose".

take for granted

Implies accepting something without questioning or needing proof, similar to "presuppose" but with a stronger emphasis on acceptance.

take it as read

Means to accept something as already understood or agreed upon, similar to "presuppose" but more conversational.

postulate

Similar to 'posit', it suggests assuming something as a basic principle, often in a scientific or mathematical context.

posit

Involves putting forward an idea or fact as a basis for reasoning, more formal than "presuppose".

hypothesize

Suggests forming a tentative explanation as a starting point for investigation; implies more uncertainty than "presuppose".

infer

Deriving a conclusion from facts or premises, which can be something "presupposed".

surmise

Involves guessing or supposing something is true without sufficient evidence, more speculative than "presuppose".

count on

To rely on with confidence, implying some level of assumption similar to presupposing.

FAQs

How can I use "presuppose" in a sentence?

Use "presuppose" to indicate that something is assumed to be true or factual as a basis for reasoning or argument. For example: "The model "presupposes" that consumers act rationally."

What's the difference between "assume" and "presuppose"?

"Assume" generally means to suppose something is true without proof. "Presuppose" implies that something must be true in order for something else to be valid or meaningful. Presupposing is a stronger assumption. For example: "I "assume" it will rain tomorrow", versus "This argument "presupposes" the existence of God".

What are some alternatives to using the word "presuppose"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "assume", "take for granted", "presume", or "posit".

Is it okay to use "presuppose" in formal writing?

Yes, "presuppose" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic, scientific, or legal contexts, where it is important to clearly indicate underlying assumptions.