speculative assertion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "speculative assertion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a statement or claim that is based on conjecture rather than concrete evidence. Example: "The scientist made a speculative assertion about the potential effects of climate change on marine life, but further research is needed to confirm it."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He arrived at the speculative assertion that there exists in the psyche an innate, regressive drive for stasis that aims to end life's inevitable tension.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, at the moment, this is just a speculative assertion, and before long-term and large prevention trials are conducted to evaluate this potential, it should be determined unequivocally that incretin-based therapies improve glucose homeostasis (and maybe also β-cell function/mass) in prediabetic individuals.

Diabetes Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The judge dismissed the case, saying it was based on "speculative assertions".

The New York Times

Instead, plaintiffs try to distort the record in order to in an attempt to create their speculative assertions".

The New York Times

Over the same period, other than providing an official statement on Bianchi's conditions, the Marussia team also publicly condemned various media reports making speculative assertions about the team's direct role in the accident.

Wikipedia

Needless to say, these speculative assertions will need to be confirmed in future studies.

Brain

In order to remove negated and speculative assertions we use an assertion filter, similar to others [ 42].

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Our algorithm to find negated and speculative assertions has been developed for the Dutch language and currently is not as sophisticated and comprehensive as some of the algorithms available for English, e.g., NegEx [ 42] or ConText [ 58], and ScopeFinder [ 59].

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

In general, the manuscript provides useful information in regards to new maximum temperatures recorded for spiny dogfish catch, but I want to emphasize that I would caution the authors from making too many speculative assertions based on limited catch at these temperatures.

F1000Research

The MGFA ruled this assertion "highly speculative," and did not investigate further.

Wikipedia

The revised plan results in fewer logistical and financial burdens for sites, should continue to provide comprehensive data quality monitoring, and could potentially prove more cost-effective, although without accurate comparators, this assertion remains speculative.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "speculative assertion", ensure you acknowledge the lack of concrete evidence and frame it as a possibility rather than a certainty. Using qualifiers like "it is believed" or "it is hypothesized" can help maintain objectivity.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "speculative assertion" as a confirmed fact. This can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility. Always clearly indicate that the assertion is based on conjecture or limited evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "speculative assertion" functions as a noun phrase, where "speculative" modifies the noun "assertion". It describes a statement presented as true but lacking solid evidence. Ludwig AI examples confirm this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "speculative assertion" is a noun phrase used to describe a statement lacking solid evidence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and usage across academic, scientific, and news contexts. While infrequent, the phrase serves to express uncertainty or doubt about a claim's validity. When using "speculative assertion", remember to acknowledge the lack of concrete evidence to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsubstantiated claim

Emphasizes the lack of supporting evidence for the assertion.

conjectural statement

Highlights the reliance on guesswork or incomplete information.

hypothetical proposition

Focuses on the conditional and unproven nature of the assertion.

theoretical argument

Suggests that the assertion is based on abstract reasoning rather than empirical data.

tentative hypothesis

Implies that the assertion is a preliminary explanation requiring further investigation.

presumptive declaration

Highlights the assumption of truth without sufficient proof.

risky assumption

Highlights the potentially flawed nature of the belief.

baseless contention

Underscores the lack of factual basis for the assertion.

unfounded allegation

Suggests that the assertion is a claim made without proper evidence.

dubious premise

Questions the validity of the starting point for an argument.

FAQs

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

You can use "speculative assertion" to describe a statement that is based on conjecture rather than concrete proof. For example: "The scientist made a "speculative assertion" about the effects of the new drug, but further research is needed."

What's the difference between a "speculative assertion" and a hypothesis?

A "speculative assertion" is a general statement based on conjecture, while a hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction used in the scientific method. A hypothesis is formulated to be tested through experimentation and observation; a "speculative assertion" may not be readily testable.

Are there situations where it's inappropriate to use a "speculative assertion"?

Yes, it's inappropriate to use a "speculative assertion" in contexts where factual accuracy is paramount, such as legal documents or scientific reports, without proper qualification. In these scenarios, evidence-based claims are necessary. However, it is OK when brainstorming ideas.

What can I say instead of "speculative assertion"?

You can use alternatives like "unsubstantiated claim", "conjectural statement", or "hypothetical proposition" depending on the context.