the underlying assumption of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the underlying assumption of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the basic beliefs or principles that form the foundation of an argument, theory, or idea. Example: "The underlying assumption of this research is that all participants will respond honestly to the survey questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What is the underlying assumption of terror management?

The New York Times

The underlying assumption of a liberal democracy is that all members deserve respect.

The Guardian - Opinion

The underlying assumption of such a reaction, however, is that being well-schooled is the same as being well-educated.

The New Yorker

The underlying assumption of the main characters' lives is that nothing is true except that the U.S.S.R. will last forever.

The New Yorker

The underlying assumption of brainstorming is that if people are scared of saying the wrong thing, they'll end up saying nothing at all.

The New Yorker

The underlying assumption of Pynchon's fiction was the inevitability of entropy i.e., the disintegration of physical and moral energy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The underlying assumption of ecolabeling is that informed consumers buying environmentally responsible products will stimulate industry to innovate and produce cleaner products.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The idea that we can solve the climate crisis without having to change our lifestyles – certainly not by taking fewer Virgin flights – seemed the underlying assumption of all Branson's initiatives.

The Guardian

"The underlying assumption of most radicalization models is that terrorism is caused by ideology spreading like a virus from person to person," he told the Guardian, adding that this was flawed.

The Guardian

For the first time in modern history the underlying assumption of political life – that those who exercise power over us will not be judged by the same legal and moral norms as common citizens – is beginning to crack.

The Guardian - Opinion

The underlying assumption of ligand-based approach is that similar structures have similar biological activity.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the underlying assumption of", ensure that the assumption is clearly articulated or easily understood from the context. This helps avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "the underlying assumption of" without explicitly stating or implying what that assumption is. Leaving it unstated can lead to confusion or invalidate your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the underlying assumption of" functions as a noun phrase that introduces the essential, foundational belief or premise upon which a concept, argument, or theory is based. It is used to highlight a fundamental idea that supports further reasoning or analysis. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the underlying assumption of" is a versatile phrase used to highlight the fundamental premise or belief upon which an argument, theory, or analysis is built. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse domains, including science, news and media, and encyclopedias. While the phrase is generally clear, explicitly stating the assumption is crucial to avoid ambiguity. Consider using alternatives like "the basic premise of" or "the fundamental belief of" to add nuance. Overall, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is a valuable tool for establishing a clear foundation in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the foundational assumption of

Focuses on the idea that the assumption is a base or groundwork for something else.

the basic assumption of

Highlights the fundamental nature of the assumption.

the inherent assumption of

Emphasizes that the assumption is naturally existing or an essential part of something.

the fundamental assumption of

Stresses the assumption's role as an essential foundation.

the underlying presumption of

Replaces "assumption" with "presumption", indicating a belief held before investigation.

the underlying premise of

Substitutes "assumption" with "premise", referring to a proposition that supports a conclusion.

the implied assumption of

Indicates that the assumption is suggested, though not directly expressed.

the underlying presupposition of

Uses "presupposition" instead of "assumption", denoting something assumed beforehand.

the working assumption of

Implies that the assumption is a practical basis for action, even if not fully verified.

the theory behind

Shifts the focus to the theoretical basis or justification.

FAQs

How can I use "the underlying assumption of" in a sentence?

You can use "the underlying assumption of" to introduce a core belief or premise upon which an argument, theory, or practice is based. For instance, "The underlying assumption of this economic model is that consumers act rationally."

What are some alternatives to "the underlying assumption of"?

Some alternatives include "the basic premise of", "the fundamental belief of", or "the core presupposition of". These can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "assumption" and "presupposition" when discussing underlying ideas?

While both terms relate to ideas taken as true, "assumption" generally refers to something accepted without proof, whereas "presupposition" often implies something that must be true for a statement to make sense.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state "the underlying assumption of" something?

While not always necessary, explicitly stating "the underlying assumption of" something is often helpful for clarity, especially in academic or technical writing, to ensure the audience understands the foundational principles being discussed.