uncertain assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "uncertain assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a belief or idea that lacks clarity or confidence. Example: "The researchers based their conclusions on an uncertain assumption about the data's reliability."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

On the uncertain assumption that victory is swift and civilian casualties are limited, that will doubtless be true of the many Iraqis who have suffered directly at the hands of the regime.

The Economist

Speculation that Britain may once again seek monetary fund assistance — and become the first major western European country to do so in this financial crisis — rests upon a crucial, uncertain assumption: that the combination of its steep debt and wounded banking sector will put too much pressure on the already wobbly pound.

The New York Times

The proposed method can be readily applied to reliable, robust, efficient and effective design of angle trusses and frames without the uncertain assumption of effective length.

Engineering Structures

An initial exploratory set of one-way sensitivity analyses were conducted to provide insight into the magnitude of influence of each uncertain assumption.

Plosone

The duration of the treatment effect is, therefore, an important but uncertain assumption.

British Medical Journal

For some genes, the precise annotation depends on the method used: returning to our glycolate to glyoxylate interconversion hypothesis, Cj1213c is a putative glycolate oxidase subunit D (EC 1.1.3.15) [ 23, 55], or an alkylglycerone-phosphate synthase (EC 2.5.1.26) [ 52], or a D-lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.2.4) [ 53] making the degradation of glycolate into glyoxylate an uncertain assumption.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The Budget's pension changes are based on "highly uncertain assumptions", according to a respected think-tank.

BBC

Although the findings are compatible with the Niall hypothesis, geneticist Chris Tyler-Smith of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Cambridge, U.K., warns that the conclusion rests on uncertain assumptions about mutation rates and time between generations.

Science Magazine

The premise captures the idea that an energy model is not a tool which reduces uncertainty and could predict a future with certainty based on uncertain assumptions about the target system.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

The IT2 fuzzy logic allows for an improved handling of uncertain assumptions about the distributions of noisy and erroneous inputs which are essential for correct design of the fuzzy voting scheme.

Information Sciences

Third, we identified several uncertain assumptions relevant to natural history, which were varied extensively in sensitivity analysis.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "uncertain assumption", clearly state the basis for the uncertainty. This enhances transparency and allows readers to evaluate the assumption's potential impact on the overall argument.

Common error

Avoid presenting conclusions as definitive if they heavily rely on an "uncertain assumption". Acknowledge the limitation and consider exploring alternative scenarios or conducting sensitivity analyses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uncertain assumption" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "uncertain" modifies the noun "assumption". It describes a premise or belief that lacks definitive support or clarity. Ludwig confirms this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "uncertain assumption" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote a premise or belief that lacks definitive support. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is primarily employed in scientific and news contexts, emphasizing a degree of doubt or lack of confidence in the specified assumption. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to specify the reasons for the uncertainty and acknowledge the potential impact on any subsequent analysis. Be mindful of overstating conclusions drawn from such assumptions. While it's not as common as other similar phrases, the existing examples from Ludwig AI demonstrate its viability in academic, scientific, and professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dubious premise

Replaces "assumption" with "premise", implying a foundational statement of questionable validity.

questionable belief

Substitutes "assumption" with "belief", highlighting the subjective nature of the uncertain idea.

tenuous hypothesis

Uses "hypothesis" instead of "assumption", suggesting a tentative explanation that needs further support.

unsubstantiated claim

Emphasizes the lack of evidence supporting the assumption.

shaky ground

Replaces both words to describe a condition that is unstable.

unproven supposition

Highlights the lack of verification for the assumption.

speculative conjecture

Suggests the assumption is based on guesswork rather than solid evidence.

risky proposition

Implies that acting on the assumption involves a degree of risk.

contingent premise

Focuses on how the premise depends on unknown factors.

unconfirmed basis

Highlights the lack of confirmation to support the assumption.

FAQs

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

You can use "uncertain assumption" to indicate a premise or belief that is not firmly established or reliable. For instance, "The model's predictions are based on the "uncertain assumption" that consumer behavior will remain consistent."

What phrases are similar to "uncertain assumption"?

Alternatives include "dubious premise", "questionable belief", or "tenuous hypothesis", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to build an argument on an "uncertain assumption"?

While it's not ideal, it's sometimes necessary. If you do, acknowledge the uncertainty and discuss the potential impact on your argument. Consider performing sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of your conclusions.

How does an "uncertain assumption" differ from a hypothesis?

A hypothesis is a proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation, while an "uncertain assumption" is a belief that lacks strong evidence and is used as a basis for reasoning or action despite the uncertainty. Although both involve a degree of uncertainty, a hypothesis is usually part of a formal investigation.