vague assumptions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vague assumptions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing unclear or poorly defined beliefs or ideas that are not based on solid evidence. Example: "The project's failure can be attributed to vague assumptions made during the planning phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It includes early, often vague, assumptions which are not supported by appropriate evidence.

The Telegraph

Critics, however, have noted these claims are based off city and Ford projections – not those of an independent body – and are full of vague assumptions.

The Guardian

In any case, experts say that objections to transsexual inclusion arise less from physiological questions than from vague assumptions of what is natural and what is artificial when it comes to the human body.

The New York Times

But, as my colleague Polly Curtis has found today with her excellent Reality Check, the strict economic arguments are all built on far from solid ground, with vague assumptions about the value of time spent on trains, road decongestion and network reliability.

The Guardian - Business

When skepticism based purely on vague assumptions leads to premature conclusions, it becomes blind cynicism.

TechCrunch

What's exhilirating is that the vague assumptions, arrogant exploits, twinkling of an ephemeral joke, they all are being ratified in a swirl of innovation that is dazzling in its ability to masquerade as superficial and childish.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

There is a vague assumption that talking about Mormonism, or talking, in President Obama's case, about Reverend Jeremiah Wright, is like lighting a fuse.

The New Yorker

There was a vague assumption, as Mr Pickles puts it, that the country would "one day wake up and apologise for putting us in opposition".

The Economist

Successful applications begin with a clear and difficult problem to solve instead of a vague assumption that technology will enhance teaching.Second, we usually focus on improving existing teaching systems whereas technology is better used to create new learning systems.

The Economist

Operating on a vague assumption that trippy music and album design go hand in hand with smoking vast quantities of prime, sticky Adelaide hydro, I asked some stoner buddies if they minded submitting themselves to the last five major Wolf Eyes releases, and passing criticism on the artwork and sounds.

Vice

By using an OPI-like parameter optimization routine, much of the arbitrariness of similarity and mismatch threshold determination is bypassed and PWMs are optimized based on a biologically relevant p-value minimization rather than by often times vague user assumptions.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When critiquing an argument, pinpointing the specific "vague assumptions" can strengthen your analysis and demonstrate a thorough understanding of the underlying logic.

Common error

Don't dismiss "vague assumptions" as insignificant. They often underpin entire arguments, and their lack of clarity can lead to flawed conclusions. Address them directly to expose weaknesses in reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vague assumptions" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "vague" modifies the noun "assumptions". This construction typically serves to describe the nature or quality of the assumptions being discussed. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing several examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vague assumptions" is a noun phrase used to describe unclear or poorly defined premises. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. Its frequency is uncommon, primarily appearing in News & Media and Science. When using or encountering this phrase, it's important to identify and address the specific areas of ambiguity to promote clarity and rigor in analysis. Be mindful of overlooking the impact of "vague assumptions" as they often underpin entire arguments, and their lack of clarity can lead to flawed conclusions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsubstantiated presumptions

Focuses on the lack of evidence supporting the assumptions.

tenuous presuppositions

Highlights the weak or shaky basis of the presuppositions.

ill-defined premises

Emphasizes the lack of clarity in the foundational statements.

fuzzy expectations

Shifts the context to expectations rather than general assumptions, indicating a lack of clear definition.

imprecise estimations

Replaces "assumptions" with "estimations", implying a lack of accuracy in the calculations.

nebulous beliefs

Focuses on the cloudy or indistinct nature of the beliefs.

unclear conjectures

Highlights the speculative and uncertain nature of the assumptions.

hazy notions

Indicates a lack of clarity and precision in the ideas.

weak hypotheses

Shifts the context to scientific inquiry, emphasizing the lack of strength in the proposed explanations.

loose inferences

Emphasizes the lack of rigor and precision in the conclusions drawn.

FAQs

How can I identify "vague assumptions" in an argument?

Look for statements that lack specific details, rely on generalizations, or are not supported by evidence. Question whether the underlying premises are clearly defined and justified.

What is the impact of using "vague assumptions" in research?

Using "vague assumptions" can lead to unreliable results and weaken the validity of your findings. Ensure your assumptions are clearly stated, well-defined, and supported by evidence to maintain rigor.

Which is a better choice, "implicit assumptions" or "vague assumptions"?

The choice depends on the context. "Implicit assumptions" are unstated but understood, while "vague assumptions" are poorly defined or unclear. If an assumption is both unstated and unclear, "vague assumptions" may be more appropriate.

What can I say instead of "vague assumptions"?

Alternatives include "unsubstantiated presumptions", "tenuous presuppositions", or "ill-defined premises" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.