serious assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a belief or idea that is taken to be true with significant weight or importance, often in a formal or analytical context. Example: "The researchers made a serious assumption that the data collected was entirely accurate, which later proved to be a critical error."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The most serious assumption in the KRM algorithm is that one has to assume the distribution of the ionospheric conductance, but there are, at present, no measurements of the global ionospheric conductivities available in real time.

Geoscience Letters

Does Rupert Murdoch know more than we do or is this a pretty serious assumption he's just made here on #MH370 https://t.co/KBgQf5Ut2T.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

To be able to do this, serious assumptions have to be taken into account.

Chemistry Central Journal

The Global Diabetes Advocate mentioned that this data was useful despite its serious assumptions.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Dangerous assumption.

The New York Times

In Past, Present and Future he remarked concerning logics of discrete time that their usefulness 'does not depend on any serious metaphysical assumption that time is discrete; they are applicable in limited fields of discourse in which we are concerned only with what happens next in a sequence of discrete states, e.g. in the workings of a digital computer' (1967a: 67).

SEP

Hence, imposing the constraints involves some serious modal assumptions.

SEP

Although MP-EST is, to some extent, robust to the violation of the coalescent assumption, serious divergence from coalescent can certainly result in inaccurate MP-EST estimates of species trees.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Preliminary data analysis suggested no serious violations of assumptions of normality or linearity.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

But a study of the trajectory of the fire, the army said in its report, "casts serious doubt" on the assumption that Israeli soldiers were the source.

The New York Times

There are serious problems with this assumption: first, Republicans have failed to achieve reversal in the five previous times they asked the court for it; and second, it is far from certain that only one additional vote is needed to reverse the decision in light of the principles of stare decisis by which a decided case ought not to be disturbed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "serious assumption", clearly articulate the basis for the assumption and acknowledge any potential limitations or uncertainties.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "serious assumption" as an absolute truth. Acknowledge it as a premise that requires further validation or is subject to change based on new information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious assumption" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "serious" modifies the noun "assumption". It highlights the significant nature or potential impact of the assumption being made. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serious assumption" denotes a belief taken as true with substantial weight or importance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While grammatically sound, its occurrence is relatively rare, appearing in scientific and news media contexts. When employing this phrase, clarity and justification are key. Alternatives include "major assumption" or "significant presumption". Understanding the context and implications of the assumption is crucial for effective communication. Always avoid the trap of stating a "serious assumption" as an absolute truth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave assumption

Replaces "serious" with "grave", implying a more severe or weighty assumption.

major assumption

Replaces "serious" with "major", emphasizing the importance or significance of the assumption.

key assumption

Highlights the assumption as fundamental or essential.

significant presumption

Substitutes "assumption" with "presumption", suggesting a belief held without concrete proof but with considerable weight.

fundamental premise

Replaces both words to highlight basic/essential aspect of the assumption.

risky assumption

Emphasizes the potential negative consequences or uncertainty of the assumption.

unwarranted assumption

Suggests the assumption lacks sufficient justification or evidence.

questionable assumption

Expresses doubt or skepticism regarding the validity of the assumption.

problematic assumption

Highlights the potential difficulties or issues associated with the assumption.

controversial assumption

Implies the assumption is subject to debate or disagreement.

FAQs

What does "serious assumption" mean?

A "serious assumption" refers to a belief or idea that is taken to be true and has important implications, often requiring careful consideration and validation. It is not a trivial or inconsequential assumption.

How can I use "serious assumption" in a sentence?

You might say, "The study proceeds from the "serious assumption" that participants answered honestly." Another example is: "The model relies on the "serious assumption" of market efficiency."

What are some alternatives to "serious assumption"?

You can use alternatives like "major assumption", "key assumption", or "significant presumption" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to make a "serious assumption" in research?

Making a "serious assumption" can be necessary in research, but it's crucial to acknowledge and justify the assumption. Transparency about potential limitations is essential for the integrity of the research.