underlying claim

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underlying claim" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the fundamental assertion or basis of an argument, theory, or legal case. Example: "The underlying claim of the lawsuit is that the company failed to meet safety standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The underlying claim that GM crops reduce carbon emissions seems strong.

The Economist

Lie-detector tests are notoriously flawed, and the test assessed only whether Sajudin had heard the story, not whether there was truth to the underlying claim.

The New Yorker

An Exxon spokesman, Alan Jeffers, said the company would not appeal the ruling because "the court did not question the merits of the underlying claim".

The New York Times

"The end result," she said, "is that we probably have more verdicts and settlement on retaliation than on the underlying claim".

The New York Times

Still, I haven't seen anybody other than Republicans try to counter the underlying claim that, when all is said and done, a public health-care system would cost a lot less than the current system, or that, based on the experiences of other countries, it could provide high-quality health care.

The New Yorker

Along similar lines, there is no reason to accept the underlying claim of the ontological argument that things which do not exist are either imperfect or lacking in any way (O III (DM) 379b-380b; R 490-6).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"It's often the case where retaliation is often easier to prove than the underlying claims," Grossman said.

The New York Times - Sports

Whether because of the calls for a boycott, the underlying claims of discrimination, or both, all three national weapons laboratories -- Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore and Sandia -- have seen declines in Asian and Asian-American applicants for postdoctoral positions, according to their own statistics.

The New York Times

Typically underlying claims of this sort is the belief that Darwinian evolution, by providing a relevant account of the origin and development of adaptation, diversity, and the like, has explained away the alleged design in the biological realm — and an attendant designer — in much the same way that kinetic theory has explained away caloric.

SEP

It seems pretty clear the websites promoting this story are awfully suspect, but how about the underlying claims?

Huffington Post

That might well be of interest, but it hardly bears on the issue at hand, namely, the evaluation of evidence — historical or experimental — underlying a claim about knowledge.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "underlying claim", ensure the context clearly establishes what the overt or surface-level information is, so the contrast is evident.

Common error

Avoid using "underlying claim" when you mean to say that something is merely implied or suggested. "Underlying claim" indicates a core, often unspoken, assertion, not just a hint or indirect suggestion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underlying claim" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the core assertion or premise, often implicit, upon which an argument or theory is based. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with examples demonstrating its role in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "underlying claim" refers to the foundational assertion or premise that supports an argument, theory, or position. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, although it appears more frequently in news, scientific, and formal settings. While its register is generally neutral, its analytical nature lends itself more readily to structured discourse. Alternatives include "core assertion", "fundamental premise", and "basic contention". A key best practice is to ensure the context clearly establishes both the overt and the underlying aspects of the information being presented. A common mistake is confusing "underlying claim" with mere implication or suggestion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

core assertion

Focuses on the central statement being made, emphasizing its assertive nature.

fundamental premise

Highlights the foundational assumption upon which an argument is built.

basic contention

Emphasizes the point of disagreement or debate at the heart of a matter.

primary allegation

Highlights the main accusation being made, especially in legal or contentious contexts.

central thesis

Emphasizes the main argument or proposition being advanced, often in academic or scholarly writing.

root proposition

Focuses on the fundamental statement being presented, emphasizing its foundational character.

chief assertion

Highlights the most important statement being made, emphasizing its prominence.

principal argument

Emphasizes the main line of reasoning being presented.

foundational statement

Highlights the bedrock assertion upon which subsequent ideas are built.

underlying premise

Highlights the implicit assumption that the argument is based on.

FAQs

How can I use "underlying claim" in a sentence?

You can use "underlying claim" to refer to the fundamental assertion or basis of an argument. For example: "The "underlying claim" of his argument is that economic inequality is the root cause of social unrest."

What's the difference between "underlying claim" and "explicit claim"?

"Underlying claim" refers to an implicit, foundational assertion, whereas "explicit claim" refers to a statement that is directly and openly expressed.

What can I say instead of "underlying claim"?

You can use alternatives like "core assertion", "fundamental premise", or "basic contention" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "underlying claim"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the foundational, often unstated, assertion that supports a larger argument, theory, or position.