we presuppose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we presuppose" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that certain assumptions or beliefs are taken for granted in a discussion or argument. Example: "In our analysis, we presuppose that all participants have a basic understanding of the subject matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

We presuppose that the educated classes are, by definition, newspaper readers.

The Guardian

Even if we presuppose either model, the available geological evidence requires a new interpretation, whereby primary geological structures are overprinted and reconfigured by later tectonic events.

Tectonophysics

We presuppose familiarity with FOL= here.

SEP

Furthermore, in geometry we presuppose the category of group, so geometry requires a double conventional abstraction.

SEP

To accomplish these goals, we presuppose only a familiarity with the first-order predicate calculus.

SEP

Meanwhile, by operating in information space, we presuppose legal supports for many aspects of intellectual property protection.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

And we presupposed that readers would be able to identify the reference of "this", i.e., the article itself.

SEP

And we presupposed that there would be at least two readers, for otherwise the bare plural "readers" would have been inappropriate.

SEP

More particularly, we presupposed that an authoritative style of education is conducive to the development of a democratic attitude provided it is complemented with the appropriate democratic content.

Child and Youth Care Forum

According to Rousseau [ 14], we presupposed that the points of view of key informants, such as medical directors, were representative of hospital professionals in identifying safety culture for the whole hospital.

BMC Health Services Research

In our notion of a programmatic approach to assessment we presupposed that criteria for designing comprehensive assessment programmes and for assuring their quality would already be available in the literature, but when we searched the literature for guidelines for designing assessment programmes, the results were disappointingly scant.

Advances in Health Sciences Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we presuppose" to clearly indicate foundational assumptions in your argument, especially in academic or formal writing. This ensures transparency and allows readers to understand the underlying basis of your reasoning.

Common error

Avoid using "we presuppose" simply as a stylistic choice. Ensure that the assumption is genuinely necessary for your argument and that it isn't a point that requires further explanation or evidence. Overuse can weaken your argument by implying a lack of rigor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we presuppose" functions as a performative verb, indicating the act of making an assumption that is taken as a given within a particular context. This is evident in examples where it introduces a condition or belief that underpins subsequent reasoning, as seen in the Ludwig AI examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

77%

News & Media

13%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we presuppose" is a phrase used to explicitly state assumptions taken as a given, primarily in formal and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI shows that it serves to establish a shared understanding and provide a foundation for further discussion. While grammatically correct, it should be used judiciously to avoid weakening arguments with unsupported claims. Related phrases include "we assume" and "we postulate", each with slightly different nuances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is important to consider the audience and context when deciding to use this phrase to ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we assume

Indicates a belief taken for granted, similar to presupposing, but can sometimes imply a lack of concrete evidence.

we take for granted

Highlights the unquestioned acceptance of something, closely mirroring the meaning of presupposing.

we postulate

Suggests a hypothesis or proposition is being put forward as a basis for reasoning.

we posit

Similar to "we postulate", indicating the placement of an idea as a foundation for further argument.

we infer

Emphasizes a conclusion reached based on evidence, implying a logical deduction.

we understand

Refers to a shared comprehension, suggesting a mutual agreement on a concept's basis.

we expect

Denotes anticipation based on prior knowledge or experience, less about foundational assumptions.

we anticipate

Similar to "we expect", but often with a stronger emphasis on foreseeing future developments.

we surmise

Suggests forming an opinion based on incomplete information, less definitive than presupposing.

we gather

Indicates assembling knowledge or information, implying a process of collecting assumptions.

FAQs

How can I use "we presuppose" in a sentence?

The phrase "we presuppose" is typically used to introduce an assumption that is taken as a given in an argument or discussion. For example, "In this study, "we presuppose" that all participants have a basic understanding of the subject matter".

What are some alternatives to "we presuppose"?

You can use alternatives such as "we assume", "we postulate", or "we take for granted" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "we presuppose" or "we assume"?

"We presuppose" often implies a more foundational or inherent assumption, while "we assume" can suggest a provisional acceptance. The best choice depends on whether the assumption is fundamental to the argument or merely a starting point.

What's the difference between "we presuppose" and "we hypothesize"?

"We presuppose" indicates a prior assumption that is necessary for the argument. "We hypothesize", on the other hand, introduces a testable proposition or educated guess that is subject to further investigation.