sheer presumption

USAGE SUMMARY

"sheer presumption" is a correct phrase in written English.
It is used to express when someone is making assumptions that are completely without evidence or justification. For example, "The detective accused the defendant of stealing the jewels without any proof- a sheer presumption."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Don't do as we do; just do as we say!" The sheer presumption that the U.S. economy today still occupies the dominant position that it did in 1945 must have made serious Europeans shake their heads, and the Chinese giggle.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But the presumption of cynicism, if not sheer sarcasm and negativity, has beclouded "Company".

The New York Times

The sheer fact that the particular state of the land you inhabit coerces you arguably does not establish any sort of presumption that the state's scheme of coercion must be specially tailored to your interests, that those coerced have special justice claims on the particular state that coerces them.

SEP

All such entrancingly imaginative agitation needs is a road runner and a coyote — or, even better, a "Spy vs. Spy," absolute adversaries of a pure blankness that guarantees an hour and a half of cinematic adrenaline without the soggy presumption that there's anything human in the combat — or that there's anything more essentially human than such sheer pleasure itself.

The New Yorker

The presumption!

The Guardian - Books

Such presumption!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ah, presumption!

The Guardian - Opinion

Sheer fear, sheer terror.

Independent

Sheer illusion.

The New York Times - Books

Sheer genius.

The New Yorker

Sheer coincidence.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer presumption" when you want to strongly criticize an assumption that lacks any basis in fact or logic. Ensure the context makes it clear that the assumption is not just wrong, but audaciously so.

Common error

Avoid using "sheer presumption" when a milder term like 'assumption' or 'belief' would suffice. "Sheer presumption" carries a strong negative connotation and should be reserved for cases where the unfounded nature of the assumption is particularly egregious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer presumption" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'sheer' intensifies the noun 'presumption'. It emphasizes the extent to which a belief or assumption is based on no evidence. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, and examples show its deployment in critical assessments.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer presumption" is a grammatically correct and impactful phrase used to express strong disapproval of unfounded assumptions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not very common, its presence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian shows its utility in both formal and informal contexts. Related phrases include "utter audacity" and "complete arrogance", which similarly convey a sense of unjustified boldness. When using "sheer presumption", be sure to reserve it for situations where the assumption is not just wrong, but audaciously so.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utter audacity

Replaces 'presumption' with 'audacity', emphasizing boldness and impudence.

complete arrogance

Substitutes 'presumption' with 'arrogance', highlighting an attitude of superiority.

pure conjecture

Replaces 'presumption' with 'conjecture', focusing on the speculative nature of the assumption.

unfounded assumption

Replaces the entire phrase with a more descriptive term, highlighting the lack of basis for the assumption.

bald assertion

Focuses on the forceful and unsupported nature of the claim.

outright hubris

Uses 'hubris' to emphasize excessive pride and self-confidence.

arrant impudence

Emphasizes disrespect and lack of proper regard.

brazen facedness

Highlights shamelessness and audacity.

unmitigated gall

Focuses on the audacity being extreme and without excuse.

absolute temerity

Uses 'temerity' to convey recklessness and boldness.

FAQs

How to use "sheer presumption" in a sentence?

Use "sheer presumption" to describe an action or statement that is based on an entirely unfounded assumption. For instance, "His accusation was based on "sheer presumption", as he had no evidence to support it."

What can I say instead of "sheer presumption"?

You can use alternatives like "utter audacity", "complete arrogance", or "pure conjecture" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sheer presumption" formal or informal?

"Sheer presumption" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though its strong negative connotation makes it more common in argumentative or critical writing.

What's the difference between "sheer presumption" and "simple assumption"?

"Sheer presumption" implies a bolder, more audacious, and less justified assumption than a "simple assumption". The former suggests the assumption is not only wrong but also offensively so.