the basic assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the basic assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing foundational beliefs or premises that underlie a theory, argument, or system. Example: "In our research, we must first establish the basic assumption that all participants have equal access to resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I think the basic assumption is flawed".

The New York Times

"And the basic assumption is that the pope is a target".

The New York Times

The basic assumption is that one does not have to be sacrificed for the other.

The Guardian

But what about the basic assumption: would Rubio actually help Romney with this important demographic?

The Guardian - Opinion

On the other hand, perhaps the basic assumption does a disservice to many theatre audiences.

The Guardian

The basic assumption of this policy is that trafficking relates only to foreigners transgressing immigration law.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The basic assumption that people are making is that the U.S. government will never default on its debt".

The New York Times

The basic assumption is simple: the more stuff we're producing for sale, the better off we are.

The New Yorker

The basic assumption is that all art is, to a greater or lesser degree, shaped by other art.

The New York Times - Arts

Google engineers designed the system on the basic assumption that any part of the system was likely to fail.

The New York Times

The basic assumption of No Child Left Behind is that teachers and curriculum are the basic problems of our system.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, explicitly state "the basic assumption" before building upon it to ensure transparency and rigor.

Common error

Avoid building arguments on unacknowledged or poorly defined assumptions. Always make "the basic assumption" explicit to prevent misunderstandings and strengthen your reasoning.

Linguistic Context

"The basic assumption" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a foundational premise or belief. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various fields. It serves to establish a groundwork upon which further reasoning or analysis is built.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

28%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the basic assumption" is a frequently used noun phrase that introduces a foundational premise. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and appropriate for a variety of contexts, especially in science, news, and business writing. To ensure clarity, explicitly state "the basic assumption" to avoid any unacknowledged or poorly defined premise. Alternatives include "the underlying premise" or "the fundamental principle". Questioning "the basic assumption" is an important step in critical analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the underlying premise

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the premise.

the fundamental principle

Focuses on the core, essential nature of the principle.

the core presupposition

Highlights the idea of something being presupposed or taken for granted.

the foundational tenet

Stresses the role of the tenet as a foundation for a system or belief.

the working hypothesis

Implies a hypothesis used as a starting point for further investigation.

the initial supposition

Focuses on the beginning or initial stage of assuming something.

the starting point

Highlights the role as the beginning of reasoning or planning.

the given premise

Emphasizes that the premise is accepted as a starting point without proof.

the primary axiom

Focuses on the self-evident nature of the axiom.

the implicit understanding

Highlights that the assumption is not explicitly stated but understood.

FAQs

How can I use "the basic assumption" in a sentence?

You can use "the basic assumption" to introduce a fundamental idea or premise upon which an argument or theory is built. For instance, "The study proceeds from "the basic assumption" that all participants have equal access to resources".

What are some alternatives to using "the basic assumption"?

Alternatives include "the underlying premise", "the fundamental principle", or "the core presupposition" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "the basic assumption" and "the working hypothesis"?

"The basic assumption" refers to a foundational belief, while "the working hypothesis" is a provisional assumption made as a basis for reasoning or investigation. A hypothesis is tested, while an assumption may be taken as a given.

When is it appropriate to challenge "the basic assumption"?

It's appropriate to challenge "the basic assumption" when there is evidence suggesting it may be flawed or when exploring alternative perspectives. Critical analysis often involves questioning "the basic assumption" to uncover potential biases or limitations.