the assumption is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the assumption is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce an assumption or an idea that you believe to be true but cannot be confirmed. For example, "The assumption is that the virus is spread through close contact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The assumption is reasonable enough.

The New Yorker

The assumption is they are serious actors.

The New York Times

The assumption is they're generally unreliable".

The New York Times

"The assumption is the worst is over".

The New York Times

"The assumption is that this is a pause," said Mudie.

The Guardian

The assumption is that more money will buy the election.

The New York Times

The assumption is that the qualifiers will not.

The New York Times - Sports

The assumption is that pricing matters more as adoption increases.

The Guardian - Tech

"The assumption is they must have something to hide".

The New York Times

The assumption is that equality is what we all want.

The Guardian - Opinion

The assumption is that passengers are bringing the disease onboard.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the assumption is", clearly state the assumption to avoid ambiguity. Ensure it's a reasonable starting point for your argument or analysis.

Common error

Avoid presenting "the assumption is" as a definitive fact without providing any supporting evidence or justification. Always acknowledge that it's an assumption and consider potential counterarguments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the assumption is" serves as a sentence stem or introductory phrase. Its primary function is to introduce a premise, belief, or supposition that the speaker or writer takes as a given, often serving as a basis for further reasoning or argumentation. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase commonly precedes a statement that is accepted as true without explicit proof.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the assumption is" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that serves to introduce a fundamental belief or premise. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly employed in a variety of contexts, including news, science, and formal writing. While it is acceptable to use "the assumption is" to start the reasoning process, make sure that this beginning isn't taken for granted and remains an assumption. Ensure the reader is aware of that this is a reasonable assumption but not a definitive fact. Finally, consider diversifying your writing by incorporating related phrases like "the supposition is" or "it is presumed that" to enhance clarity and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the supposition is

Replaces "assumption" with "supposition", implying something is assumed to be true, often without proof.

the conjecture is

Substitutes "assumption" with "conjecture", suggesting an inference based on incomplete evidence.

the premise is

Replaces "assumption" with "premise", indicating a proposition upon which an argument is based.

the speculation is

Substitutes "assumption" with "speculation", implying a guess or hypothesis.

it is presumed that

Changes the structure to a passive construction, emphasizing the act of presuming.

it is understood that

Shifts focus to a shared understanding, rather than an individual assumption.

it is taken for granted that

Highlights the idea that something is accepted without question.

one might assume that

Adds a degree of uncertainty or tentativeness to the statement.

the underlying belief is

Emphasizes the foundational belief that supports a claim.

the working hypothesis is

Frames the assumption as a hypothesis to be tested.

FAQs

How do I use "the assumption is" in a sentence?

Use "the assumption is" to introduce a premise or belief that is taken as true, often as a starting point for reasoning. For example, "The assumption is that increased funding will lead to better research outcomes".

What can I say instead of "the assumption is"?

You can use alternatives like "the supposition is", "the premise is", or "it is presumed that" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "the assumption is" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "the assumption is" when you want to explicitly state a belief or premise that underlies your argument or analysis, especially when it's not explicitly stated elsewhere. Just be sure to provide the reader with some justifications for why you are stating this assumption.

What's the difference between "the assumption is" and "the theory is"?

"The assumption is" introduces a belief taken to be true, while "the theory is" introduces a tested and widely accepted explanation of a phenomenon. A theory usually has much more support and evidence backing it up than an assumption.