under the wrong assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under the wrong assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where someone has made a mistake based on incorrect beliefs or information. Example: "She acted under the wrong assumption that the meeting was scheduled for Friday instead of Thursday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We've spent too much time under the wrong assumption -- two-stock management," he said.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hello, YouTube: this is the wrong assumption.

The Guardian

"Where did we make the wrong assumption?

The New York Times

Make the wrong assumption and you will fail the case, losing precious intuition points.

The Guardian

So the phrase 'barking up the wrong tree' means making the wrong assumption when trying to achieve something.

BBC

The bill makes the wrong assumption that all startups raise angel or venture capital.

TechCrunch

This misconception is based on the wrong assumption that ROS fulfill no physiological function.

Antioxidants and Redox Signaling

Mr. Zimmerman, a gun on his hip, made the wrong assumptions and the wrong choices, he said.

The New York Times

"Information Literacy Makes All the Wrong Assumptions". Chronicle of Higher Education, Jan .7. Nunberg, Geoffrey, 2005.

University of California, Berkeley

In this study the production and order decisions under the wrong yield assumption are inserted in the profit function with correct yield specification with yield parameters that are identical for both yield models.

Business Research

If the dropout rate is high, a wrong assumption about the missing data may compromise the validity of statistical inferences.

Contemporary Clinical Trials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under the wrong assumption", clearly state what the correct assumption should be to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid applying "under the wrong assumption" too broadly; specify which aspect of the situation is based on the incorrect assumption to maintain precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the wrong assumption" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the condition or basis for an action or state. As Ludwig indicates, it denotes an action or belief stemming from an incorrect premise.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Science

27%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under the wrong assumption" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for indicating that an action or belief is based on an incorrect premise. Ludwig highlights its usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academic writing, although it is somewhat uncommon. When using the phrase, it's best to specify what the correct assumption should be for clarity. Related phrases, such as "based on a false premise" or "mistaken in the assumption", can serve as alternatives. Ludwig’s examples demonstrate its versatility, confirming its appropriateness for various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mistaken in the assumption

Directly points out the error in the assumed belief.

based on a false premise

Emphasizes the incorrect foundation upon which a conclusion or action is based.

laboring under a misapprehension

Highlights a misunderstanding that influences one's actions or beliefs.

with a flawed presupposition

Emphasizes the underlying assumption as the source of the error.

operating on an incorrect belief

Focuses on the erroneous belief that guides one's actions.

with an erroneous hypothesis

Highlights the flawed starting hypothesis that has led to errors.

proceeding from a faulty understanding

Stresses the flawed comprehension that leads to an error.

misled by a false impression

Highlights the deceptive nature of the initial information received.

having an inaccurate perception

Focuses on the distortion of reality influencing actions.

under a delusion

Indicates a belief held despite evidence to the contrary.

FAQs

How can I use "under the wrong assumption" in a sentence?

You can use "under the wrong assumption" to describe a situation where someone makes a mistake because they believe something that is not true. For example, "She acted "based on a false premise" that the meeting was scheduled for Friday instead of Thursday".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "under the wrong assumption"?

Some alternatives include "based on a false premise", "operating on an incorrect belief", or "mistaken in the assumption", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "under a wrong assumption" or "under the wrong assumption"?

"Under the wrong assumption" is the more common and grammatically preferred phrasing. The definite article "the" specifies a particular, often previously mentioned or understood, assumption.

What's the difference between "under the wrong assumption" and "misled by a false impression"?

"Under the wrong assumption" focuses on the internal belief that is incorrect, while "misled by a false impression" emphasizes the external source that caused the incorrect belief. The first focuses on who is wrong, the second why somebody is wrong.