substantial assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing a significant or important assumption that underlies a theory, argument, or analysis. Example: "The study is based on the substantial assumption that all participants will respond truthfully to the survey questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Another reason for resistance is that, in order for Chrudzimski's argument to go through, a rather substantial assumption about truthmaking needs to be accepted.

SEP

But this is a very substantial assumption, and it has been contested by appeal to an influencial account of the metaphysics of personal identity over time, the psychological continuity account.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In the case of ME normativity, the arguments may be more or less direct, depending on more or less substantial assumptions about meaning.

SEP

The second set is less deeply 'philosophical' (or 'comprehensive'), and encompasses arguments from the requirements of justice, independent from substantial assumptions about culture and cultural values.

SEP

They are quite general, though not fully general since some substantial assumptions (that need not be specified here) must be made to derive them; however, a large class of important systems satisfy those assumptions.

SEP

In Hasok Chang's account of early thermometry (Chang 2004), the problem was eventually solved by using a "principle of minimalist overdetermination", whose goal it was to find a reliable thermometer while making as few substantial assumptions (e.g., about the form for f) as possible.

SEP

Therefore, there appears to be little reason to use these surrogate outcomes as evidence for or against the benefits of screening, as substantial assumptions are needed to estimate the consequent effect on breast cancer mortality.

British Journal of Cancer

As discussed by Burnett et al. [19], combining data from different exposure sources requires substantial assumptions, which stresses the need for more studies in high exposure regions such as China to better establish the risk magnitude.

Chinese Journal of Cancer

On one end of the spectrum are arguments that turn on the idea that there are direct conceptual entailments from meaning statements to normative consequences; on the other end are arguments that depend on substantial theoretical assumptions about meaning.

SEP

As previously mentioned, the few V. fischeri cells initiating the response are not growing during the early hours of the association examined here, and the dilution effect of the flow field around the cilia to which they are attached is a mystery; thus, even back-of-the envelope calculations based on LPS release in culture require substantial, unsupported, assumptions be made.

eLife

It remains defensible that the Dutch Book argument shows that the probability axioms are something like consistency constraints on partial belief, at least given some substantial decision-theoretic assumptions, unlike the idea that their violation is a pragmatic liability.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "substantial assumption", ensure the context clearly indicates the significance of the assumption being made. Provide adequate justification or acknowledgment of its potential impact on the argument or analysis.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "substantial assumption" without acknowledging its potential limitations or biases. Failing to do so can weaken the credibility of your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial assumption" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a significant underlying premise or belief upon which an argument, theory, or analysis is based. As Ludwig suggests, this construction is used to highlight the importance of the assumption.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

News & Media

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial assumption" is a noun phrase used to denote a significant underlying premise or belief in a given context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for formal writing, especially in scientific, philosophical, and academic spheres. While its frequency is relatively rare, its communicative purpose is to emphasize the importance of a particular assumption. When using this phrase, it's essential to acknowledge the potential limitations and biases that accompany the assumption. Alternative phrases like "significant premise" or "major presupposition" can be used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant premise

Focuses on the importance of the underlying idea.

major presupposition

Highlights the assumed nature and importance of the belief.

considerable supposition

Emphasizes the degree of reliance on the unproven idea.

key underlying belief

Directly states the fundamental and believed nature of the assumption.

fundamental axiom

Presents the assumption as a basic, self-evident truth.

critical unproven idea

Highlights the essential and speculative nature of the assumption.

important working hypothesis

Implies the assumption is a basis for ongoing investigation.

primary theoretical basis

Emphasizes the assumption's role as a foundation for theory.

large-scale conjecture

Suggests the assumption is broad and potentially speculative.

notable presumption

Underlines the act of taking something for granted, which is noteworthy.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial assumption" to highlight a significant underlying premise. For example: "The model relies on the "substantial assumption" that consumer behavior remains consistent over time."

What is a good alternative to "substantial assumption"?

Alternatives to "substantial assumption" include "significant premise", "major presupposition", or "key underlying belief".

Is it appropriate to use "substantial assumption" in formal writing?

Yes, "substantial assumption" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in academic and scientific contexts where the underlying assumptions of an argument or study need to be clearly identified and acknowledged.

What does "substantial assumption" imply?

"Substantial assumption" implies that the assumption is significant and has a notable impact on the outcome or conclusion. It's not a minor detail but rather a key element that the argument or analysis rests upon.