presupposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "presupposed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an idea or belief that is accepted as true without proof. For example: "The teacher presupposed that the students had all done their homework."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the first place, Gibbon said, the Romans had carried with them into slavery the culture of a free people: their language and their conception of themselves as human beings presupposed freedom.

The Guardian - Tech

Kant, he noted, had argued that:the entire practice of lending money presupposed at least the honest intention to repay.

The Economist

In trying to justify presupposed contentions, your articles gave credence to one book about the king written by an American journalist.

The Economist

Ethernet never presupposed what sort of medium the data would travel over, be it coaxial cable or radio waves (hence the term "ether" to describe some undefined path).

The Economist

But that clashed with NATO enlargement, which presupposed that Russia was a threat.

The Economist

Knowledge of calculus is not presupposed.

The Economist

Its authority, says Kelsen, is "presupposed".

SEP

No ability to recognize kin is presupposed.

SEP

The conditions obtaining in the lamp problem only enable us to conclude that the lamp will be either dim or else lit but not both at t* = 1 P.M., and this follows from the fact that this exclusive disjunction was presupposed from the start to be true at each and every instant of time, independently of the way in which we could act on the lamp in the t-series of instants of time.

SEP

Although OD is not completely uncontestable[8] it is plausible, and like RE, has been pervasively presupposed in work on deontic logic.

SEP

Hume (1993) attacks both the view of causation presupposed in the argument (that causation is an objective, productive, necessary relation experienced as power that holds between two things) and the Causal Principle every contingent being has a cause of its being that lies at the heart of the argument.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "presupposed", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being assumed. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "presupposed" without making the underlying assumptions explicit. This can lead to misunderstandings if the audience is unaware of the base assumptions.

Linguistic Context

The term "presupposed" functions as a past participle or past tense verb, often used to describe an assumption or condition that is taken as true or given before further analysis or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it implies a prior acceptance of something as valid.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "presupposed" is a versatile term, predominantly used in formal and academic settings to denote something assumed or taken for granted as a necessary condition. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and frequently used. The term appears commonly in scientific and news contexts. When using "presupposed", ensure that the underlying assumption is clear to avoid any ambiguity. Alternatives such as "assumed beforehand" or "taken for granted" may be suitable for less formal communication. By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, you can use the term effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assumed beforehand

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the assumption, focusing on it being made prior to something else.

taken for granted

Highlights the lack of questioning or examination of the assumption.

implicitly assumed

Focuses on the assumption being made without explicit statement.

antecedently supposed

Stresses that the supposition came before the current consideration.

presumed

A more direct synonym, implying a belief based on probability.

posited

Implies a more formal or theoretical assumption, often used in philosophical or academic contexts.

hypothesized

Suggests the assumption is a basis for further investigation or testing.

accepted as axiomatic

Indicates that the assumption is considered a fundamental truth.

underlying assumption

Highlights the foundational role of the assumption in a system or argument.

built upon

Implies that something is constructed or developed based on the initial assumption.

FAQs

How is "presupposed" used in academic writing?

In academic writing, "presupposed" indicates an assumption that is taken as a given, often based on prior research or established knowledge. For example, a study might state that certain background conditions are "implicitly assumed".

What's the difference between "presupposed" and "assumed"?

"Presupposed" often implies that the assumption is necessary or foundational for a particular argument or context, while "assumed" is a more general term for taking something as true. "Presupposed" can suggest a deeper, more embedded assumption.

Can "presupposed" be used in everyday conversation?

While "presupposed" is more common in formal writing, it can be used in conversation when discussing foundational beliefs or necessary preconditions. Simpler alternatives like "assumed beforehand" might be more appropriate in less formal settings.

What are some synonyms for "presupposed"?

Synonyms for "presupposed" include "taken for granted", ""implicitly assumed"", and "presumed". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.