primary assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primary assumption" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to the main or most important belief or supposition that forms the basis of a statement, argument, or theory. Example: The primary assumption of this experiment is that temperature affects the growth rate of bacteria.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

The primary assumption of CLP is that it is a linear layout.

Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing

A primary assumption of the evolutionary model behind neo-Darwinism is that development can be traced back through a series of subtly incremental changes.

The Guardian - Books

The primary assumption we might make is that, on recognising the danger, people will simultaneously rush for the narrow exit door.

The Guardian - Opinion

A unique method for determining these separate functions is presented, with the primary assumption that the aeroacoustic sources follow a power law relationship with rotor tip relative speed.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Our primary assumption was that stream water temperature at the monitored point was at thermal equilibrium with the combination of all heat transfer processes, including mixing with groundwater.

Journal of Hydrology

This supports the primary assumption of the LLCP model, that the LDL water phase is more pronounced in the low T regime and the HDL in the high T regime.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The primary assumptions that have changed since the initial pricing of these products include: interest rates, persistency, morbidity and mortality experience, which have not materialized as expected".

The New York Times

However such linear models cannot consider the effect of several variables on the output variable, due to primary assumptions of normality, linear, homoscedasticity and multicollinearity.

Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour

One of the primary assumptions about the genders is that women have greater empathy than men, which can help create change in a corporation.

Forbes

Section 2 introduces the primary assumptions of the proposed system model, while Section 3 details our mathematical approach to characterize the system under study.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

To support this hypothesis we present a conceptual model that can explain most of the results from this study using three primary assumptions.

Geochemical Transactions

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primary assumption", ensure it's explicitly stated and clearly distinguishable from secondary assumptions to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid building arguments on a "primary assumption" without explicitly acknowledging and justifying it. Failing to do so can weaken the credibility of your analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary assumption" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the core, foundational belief or premise upon which an argument, model, or analysis is based. Ludwig AI indicates its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "primary assumption" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to identify a foundational belief or premise, primarily within formal and scientific contexts. To ensure clear communication, explicitly state and justify your "primary assumption" to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "core belief" and "foundational premise". Remember to distinguish it from secondary assumptions, acknowledging that flawed assumptions undermine the validity of subsequent analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key assumption

Simply shortens "primary" to "key".

essential premise

Underscores the necessity of the premise.

foundational premise

Emphasizes the logical groundwork of an argument.

basic presupposition

Highlights something taken for granted beforehand.

initial supposition

Highlights the starting point of a line of reasoning.

core belief

Focuses on the central tenet of a belief system.

central tenet

Emphasizes the core doctrine or belief.

fundamental principle

Stresses the underlying rule or law.

underlying hypothesis

Refers to a testable proposition at the base of a study.

starting hypothesis

Focuses on the initiation of a hypothesis.

FAQs

How can I effectively introduce a "primary assumption" in my writing?

Clearly state it at the beginning of your argument or analysis, using phrases like "The primary assumption is that..." or "This analysis is based on the primary assumption that...". Providing context and justification for the assumption can further strengthen your argument.

What happens if my "primary assumption" is incorrect?

If the "foundational premise" is flawed, the entire argument built upon it may be invalid. It's essential to critically evaluate and, if possible, test your assumptions.

How does a "primary assumption" differ from a secondary assumption?

A "primary assumption" is the core belief or "basic presupposition" upon which an argument is built, while secondary assumptions are supporting beliefs that are less fundamental.

Are there situations where I shouldn't state my "primary assumption"?

While transparency is generally preferred, there might be cases where the assumption is so widely accepted within a specific field that explicitly stating it is unnecessary. However, it's best to err on the side of clarity, especially when addressing a broader audience.