presupposes that

USAGE SUMMARY

"presupposes that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that something requires the assumption that something else is true. For example, "This argument presupposes that our current laws are effective."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In other words, the existence of the feeling of reverence presupposes that God exists.

SEP

It presupposes that there will be an officer present.

The New York Times

Because it presupposes that those situations needed attending to.

The Guardian - Music

"This redesign presupposes that those 5percentt are still there".

The New York Times - Arts

"Getting people's gender 'right' presupposes that gender is fairly static".

The New Yorker

The notion of action presupposes that something has to happen.

The Guardian - Film

Your question presupposes that there is a silver bullet.

The New York Times - Magazine

This argument presupposes that "traditions" are worth preserving.

The Guardian - Books

It presupposes that the audience has seen it staged and can call it to mind.

The New York Times

"That presupposes that both parties believe in the theory of germs".

The New York Times - Health

The AAB policy also presupposes that entrants to universities come in with A-levels.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "presupposes that", ensure the assumption you're highlighting is clear and logically connected to the statement it supports. This strengthens your argument and avoids confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "presupposes that" to introduce widely known or self-evident assumptions. This can make your writing sound verbose and detract from more insightful points.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "presupposes that" functions as a connector, linking a statement to an underlying assumption or precondition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that the truth of one statement depends on the acceptance of another. Examples show it frequently introduces necessary, but often unstated, conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "presupposes that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to highlight underlying assumptions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. Predominantly found in formal contexts such as science, news, and academia, it is used to explicitly state the preconditions necessary for an argument or statement to be valid. While it is a useful tool for precise communication, writers should avoid using it to state the obvious, which can detract from the clarity and impact of their writing. Alternatives such as "assumes that" or "implies that" may be more appropriate in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assumes that

Focuses on the act of taking something for granted, differing slightly in formality.

takes for granted that

Highlights the lack of questioning of a particular assumption.

presumes that

Expresses a belief formed without concrete proof.

implies that

Suggests a conclusion that can be drawn from something, differing from a direct requirement.

necessitates that

Emphasizes the element of necessity or requirement.

requires that

Highlights a condition that must be met.

posits that

Offers a formal way of suggesting the existence of something.

postulates that

Similar to 'posits', but often used in a more theoretical context.

conjectures that

Speculates based on incomplete evidence.

hypothesizes that

Proposes a tentative explanation for a phenomenon.

FAQs

How can I use "presupposes that" in a sentence?

Use "presupposes that" to indicate that a statement or idea relies on a prior assumption. For example, "Effective communication "presupposes that" both parties share a common language".

What's a simpler way to say "presupposes that"?

You can often replace "presupposes that" with phrases like "assumes that", "implies that", or "requires that" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "presupposes that" and "assumes that"?

While similar, "presupposes that" often indicates a more fundamental or necessary assumption, whereas "assumes that" can refer to a more general belief or expectation.

In what kind of writing is "presupposes that" most appropriate?

"Presupposes that" is suitable for academic, formal, and analytical writing where identifying underlying assumptions is crucial. Its formal tone fits well in these contexts, while more informal contexts might benefit from alternatives such as "assumes that".