principal assertion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "principal assertion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the main claim or statement that is being made in an argument or discussion. Example: "The principal assertion of the article is that climate change is primarily driven by human activity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

His parallel send-up of television news coverage, including the bathetic voyeurism surrounding the death of John F. Kennedy, Jr. in 1999, is more chidingly adjectival than properly parodic: "The self-seriousness of the commentator was perfectly matched to the speciousness of his principal assertion".

The Economist

Eubulides of Miletus was a contemporary of Aristotle in the fourth century BCE who was famous for his paradoxes, the best known being the "liar paradox" ("I am a telling a lie," which, if either a true or a false statement, leads to the negation of the principal assertion).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

As it stands, the principal assertion of the first figure is weak, thereby weakening the rest that follows.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The principal assertions of their campaign – that Brexit entails massive risk and needless surrender of influence – is beyond rational dispute, or it should be.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cosby's defense team has attempted to discredit Constand and Johnson with three principal assertions: that the women told confusing or inconsistent stories about their alleged assaults, that they hoped to get something out of their complicated relationships with Cosby, and that all the sexual contact in question was consensual.

The New Yorker

But Lewis Katz, the Nets' principal owner, has disputed that assertion since the two franchises began working toward the merger.

The New York Times - Sports

The review ended with the assertion that the "principals have some growing to do".

Wikipedia

This further supports the assertion that in the principal contractured phenotypes mimicking collagen VI disorders the α6 chain is not affected.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - General Subjects

The principal rationales for the invasion — the assertions that led many reluctant liberals to sanction it — turned out to be false.

The New Yorker

The principal narrative that developed among colonial authorities was an assertion that dryland peoples have deforested their own landscapes, which again led to reduced rainfall and the creation of deserts.

Pastoralism

A scathing United Nations report published months after the war pointed to evidence of possible war crimes, but its principal author, Richard Goldstone, a South African judge, later retracted the assertion that Israel had deliberately killed Palestinian civilians during the fighting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "principal assertion" when you want to emphasize the most important claim or statement in a discussion or argument. Ensure that this assertion is clearly defined and supported by evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "principal assertion" to refer to supporting arguments or minor points. This phrase should be reserved for the central, overarching claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principal assertion" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the core argument or main point being presented. Ludwig AI examples show it used in academic, news, and media contexts to highlight a primary claim.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "principal assertion" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote the core or main claim in an argument or discussion. Ludwig AI analysis of various sources indicates that it is most commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts. While "principal assertion" may not be as common as alternatives like "main claim" or "key argument", it offers a precise way to highlight the most important statement being made. To effectively use this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the central point and is supported by adequate evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main claim

Focuses on the core argument being made.

key argument

Highlights the most important argument.

primary contention

Emphasizes a point of dispute or debate.

central thesis

Refers to the main proposition or theory being presented.

core statement

Highlights the fundamental declaration or affirmation.

chief argument

Similar to 'main argument' but can emphasize dominance.

fundamental premise

Focuses on the underlying basis or foundation of an argument.

primary proposition

Stresses the idea being put forward for consideration.

principal thesis

Highlights the main argument.

central argument

Indicates the most important argument in a discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "principal assertion" in a sentence?

You can use "principal assertion" to refer to the main claim or statement in an argument or discussion. For example, "The "principal assertion" of the article is that climate change is primarily driven by human activity."

What's a good alternative to "principal assertion"?

Alternatives include "main claim", "key argument", or "central thesis". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "principal main assertion"?

Yes, saying "principal main assertion" is generally redundant because "principal" already implies that it is the main or most important assertion. It's best to stick with just ""principal assertion"".

What distinguishes a "principal assertion" from a regular assertion?

The ""principal assertion"" is the core argument or thesis, while a regular assertion could be any statement or claim, including supporting points or minor arguments.