prevailing assumptions

USAGE SUMMARY

"prevailing assumptions" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to refer to accepted beliefs or ideas that are generally accepted in a certain situation. For example: "The prevailing assumptions about the company's future have changed drastically in the last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Paulson's story also casts a harsh light on the prevailing assumptions behind corporate compensation policies.

The New Yorker

He maintained the demeanor of both student and professor, with an inquisitiveness matched only by his challenges to prevailing assumptions.

The New York Times

But five, and counting since the economic meltdown, present a more profound challenge to prevailing assumptions and policies.

The New York Times

Both authors bring to the task a sense of humor and a forthright willingness to call our prevailing assumptions into question.

The New York Times - Style

Images and stereotypes built into American culture have fed prevailing assumptions of black inferiority and wantonness since before the time of Jim Crow.

The Guardian - Opinion

The findings of that study, the result of a groundbreaking collaboration between the Detroit Free Press newspaper and Michigan's Institute for Social Research, challenged prevailing assumptions about the cause of the unrest.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

But not entirely: the prevailing assumption in financial markets and among foreign investors is that eventually Britain will give up the pound.

The Economist

It showed that--contrary to the prevailing assumption--sustaining a pregnancy does not depend on the mother's immune system recognizing the fetus as foreign.

Science Magazine

Did it float over on ocean currents from Africa, the prevailing assumption until about 10 years ago, or did humans carry the plant with them when they walked across the Bering land bridge from Asia? "It was a real puzzle," says Bruce Smith, an archaeologist at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Science Magazine

Until more evidence is sought and presented to disprove the apparently prevailing assumption of the null hypothesis that the e-interventions do not introduce risk, it is premature to conclude that we can fail to reject it.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Interpreted under the prevailing assumption of substantial introgressive hybridization between M and S, these results suggested that the genes responsible for ecological and reproductive isolation were few in number and mainly confined to three isolated "speciation islands," the largest two of which coincided with low recombination regions near centromeres on chromosome 2 and the X.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When challenging "prevailing assumptions", provide strong evidence and logical arguments to support your counterclaims, as these beliefs are typically deeply entrenched.

Common error

Avoid assuming your audience is already familiar with the specific "prevailing assumptions" you are referencing. Always provide sufficient context and background information to ensure clarity, especially when writing for a diverse audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevailing assumptions" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to established or generally accepted beliefs, often within a specific context or field. Ludwig AI confirms this as a correct phrase, highlighting its frequent use in various written contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prevailing assumptions" is a frequently used noun phrase that denotes widely accepted beliefs within a specific context. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically sound and versatile, suitable for both formal and neutral registers. Usage is common across News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias sources, making it important to understand the context in which the assumptions are being used. Alternatives such as "common beliefs" or "accepted wisdom" can be considered for stylistic variation. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by providing sufficient context for your audience. This phrase shows up in the examples as something questioned, challenged, or shaken up, in short: it's part of a dialectic process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

common beliefs

Replaces "prevailing assumptions" with a more general term.

widely held views

Focuses on the broad acceptance of certain perspectives.

current understanding

Refers to assumptions that are part of what is currently known or believed.

accepted wisdom

Implies that the assumptions are not only common but also considered wise or correct.

conventional thinking

Highlights the traditional or standard nature of the assumptions.

established norms

Emphasizes the role of these assumptions as part of a set of norms or standards.

popular notions

Refers to ideas that are well-liked or widespread.

standard perceptions

Highlights how something is understood in a typical way.

dominant paradigms

Indicates that the assumptions form a dominant theoretical framework.

reigning ideology

Suggests that the assumptions are part of a controlling set of beliefs.

FAQs

How can I use "prevailing assumptions" in a sentence?

You can use "prevailing assumptions" to refer to commonly accepted beliefs. For example, "The study challenged the "prevailing assumptions" about climate change."

What are some alternatives to "prevailing assumptions"?

Some alternatives include "common beliefs", "widely held views", or "accepted wisdom depending on the context".

Is it better to challenge or accept "prevailing assumptions"?

Whether to challenge or accept "prevailing assumptions" depends on your goal. Challenging them can lead to new insights, while accepting them can provide a foundation for agreement and understanding.

What happens when "prevailing assumptions" are proven wrong?

When "prevailing assumptions" are proven wrong, it often leads to significant shifts in understanding and can spur innovation and new approaches in a field. Consider the phrase within contexts such as "dominant paradigms" shifting.