unfounded supposition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfounded supposition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a belief or assumption that lacks evidence or basis in fact. Example: "The claim that the project would fail was merely an unfounded supposition with no supporting data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

MI5 had fought the case with unfounded speculation and supposition, hints and slurs and a pig-headed adherence to May's pre-cast view, Owen added.

The Guardian

This assumption is, however, unfounded [ 2].

BMC Public Health

It was all supposition.

Independent

This supposition is worrisome.

The New York Times

Now, this is supposition.

The New Yorker

Ultimately it's supposition.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Both contentions are unfounded.

Cornell University

The contention is unfounded.

Cornell University

Those fears proved unfounded.

Harvard University

This objection is unfounded.

Harvard University

My fears were unfounded.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unfounded supposition", ensure that you are prepared to explain why the supposition lacks a solid basis. Provide evidence or reasoning to support your assertion.

Common error

While often used to dismiss an idea, "unfounded supposition" can also introduce an idea that needs further investigation. Don't immediately reject it; instead, explore the potential reasons behind the supposition, even if it initially seems baseless.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfounded supposition" functions as a descriptive term, typically serving as an adjective-noun combination to characterize a statement, belief, or assumption as lacking a factual basis. Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage of the term.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unfounded supposition" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an assumption or belief lacking a factual basis. While Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage, its frequency is relatively rare. The phrase appears in diverse contexts such as news, academia, and science. When using "unfounded supposition", it's essential to be ready to provide reasons or evidence for the lack of foundation. Consider alternative phrases like "baseless assumption" or "groundless belief" depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

baseless assumption

Replaces "unfounded" with "baseless", emphasizing the lack of foundation.

groundless belief

Replaces "unfounded" with "groundless" and "supposition" with "belief", focusing on the absence of grounds.

unjustified assumption

Replaces "unfounded" with "unjustified", highlighting the lack of justification.

unwarranted speculation

Replaces "unfounded" with "unwarranted" and "supposition" with "speculation", stressing the lack of warrant.

baseless conjecture

Uses "baseless" instead of "unfounded" and "conjecture" instead of "supposition" emphasizing the speculative and unsupported nature of the idea.

unsubstantiated claim

Shifts the focus to a "claim" that lacks "substantiation", differing slightly by emphasizing the act of claiming something.

unsupported theory

Changes "supposition" to "theory" indicating a more developed idea, but still lacking support.

fallacious presumption

Uses "fallacious" to describe the presumption, highlighting its flawed nature.

tenuous hypothesis

Replaces "supposition" with "hypothesis", suggesting a more formal, but still weak, proposal.

flimsy premise

Replaces "unfounded" with "flimsy" and "supposition" with "premise", indicating a weak foundation for an argument.

FAQs

What does "unfounded supposition" mean?

An "unfounded supposition" refers to an assumption, belief, or idea that lacks a solid basis or supporting evidence. It is a notion that is not supported by facts or logical reasoning.

How can I use "unfounded supposition" in a sentence?

You might say, "The claim that the project would fail was merely an "unfounded supposition" with no supporting data" or "MI5 fought the case with "unfounded speculation" and "supposition", hints and slurs and a pig-headed adherence to May's pre-cast view".

What are some alternatives to "unfounded supposition"?

Some alternatives include "baseless assumption", "groundless belief", "unjustified assumption", or "unwarranted speculation".

Is it always wrong to make an unfounded supposition?

Not necessarily. While an "unfounded supposition" lacks immediate support, it can sometimes serve as a starting point for investigation or exploration. However, it's important to acknowledge its lack of foundation and avoid treating it as a proven fact.