underlying assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underlying assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a fundamental belief or premise that forms the basis for reasoning or argumentation. Example: "The underlying assumption of the study is that all participants will respond honestly to the survey questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Do you agree with Ms. Lynch's underlying assumption that women exercise power differently?

The New York Times

The basic underlying assumption in robust design is that the experimental data have a normal distribution.

Computers & Industrial Engineering

The unspoken, unquestioned, and underlying assumption, especially of people 75 and older, was that marriage would last forever.

Huffington Post

10 The underlying assumption is a relation between the excitabilities of different systems.

Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology

An underlying assumption of communication CA is that dialogues are representative of underlying cognitive processes [ 8].

BMC Medical Education

What is the underlying assumption of terror management?

The New York Times

"The underlying assumption may have changed," Mr. Smith said.

The New York Times

The underlying assumption is that getting more people involved isn't practical or worthwhile.

The Guardian

Has anyone even questioned the underlying assumption that this would be a good thing?

The New York Times - Science

None of them challenges the underlying assumption that punishment is the primary tool of crime reduction.

The Guardian

Nothing but an underlying assumption that everyone cleans up after themselves.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "underlying assumption", ensure it is clearly identified and its validity is critically examined to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid blindly accepting the "underlying assumption" without evaluating its accuracy and relevance. Questioning it can lead to a more robust and nuanced understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underlying assumption" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a fundamental belief or premise that is implicitly accepted as true and forms the basis for reasoning or argumentation, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "underlying assumption" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that identifies a fundamental, often unstated, belief or premise. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to highlight the implicit foundations of arguments across various domains like News & Media, Science and Formal & Business. To use this phrase effectively, be sure to critically evaluate the validity of any identified "underlying assumption" to ensure a robust and nuanced understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basic premise

Focuses on the foundational nature of the assumption.

implicit assumption

Highlights that the assumption is not explicitly stated.

tacit assumption

Emphasizes the unspoken or unacknowledged nature of the assumption.

hidden premise

Suggests the assumption is not easily apparent.

fundamental principle

Shifts focus to the core principle supporting an argument.

root assumption

Emphasizes the deeply embedded nature of the assumption.

foundational belief

Highlights the role of the assumption as a core belief.

presupposition

Highlights what must be true in order for a statement to make sense.

unspoken understanding

Stresses the lack of explicit communication of the assumption.

unexamined belief

Points out that the assumption has not been critically evaluated.

FAQs

How can I identify the "underlying assumption" in an argument?

Look for statements or beliefs that are taken for granted and not explicitly proven. Consider what must be true for the argument to hold. Question the necessity of those statements.

What's the difference between an "underlying assumption" and a premise?

A premise is an explicit statement used to support a conclusion, while an "underlying assumption" is an implicit belief that is taken for granted and not explicitly stated as part of the argument. The premise is overt, the assumption is covert.

How do I challenge an "underlying assumption" without being confrontational?

You can respectfully question the validity of the "underlying assumption" by asking clarifying questions, presenting alternative perspectives, or offering evidence that contradicts it. Be diplomatic and focus on the idea itself.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "underlying assumption"?

You can use alternatives like "basic premise", "implicit assumption", or "tacit assumption" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.