presupposition Definition
- 1an idea that is taken for granted as true and is used as a basis for reasoning or argument
- 2the act of taking something for granted or assuming it to be true
Using presupposition: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "presupposition" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The argument was based on the presupposition that all men are created equal.
Example
The article's author made several presuppositions about the reader's knowledge of the subject.
Example
The success of the project was dependent on the presupposition that the necessary funding would be secured.
presupposition Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for presupposition
Phrases with presupposition
an assumption or belief that forms the foundation of an argument or theory
Example
The underlying presupposition of the study was that humans are inherently social creatures.
a word or phrase that signals the presence of a presupposition in a statement
Example
The word 'even' is a common presupposition trigger, as in 'Even John knows that.'
the process by which a listener adjusts their assumptions or beliefs to fit with the presuppositions of a speaker's statement
Example
In order to understand the speaker's intended meaning, the listener had to engage in presupposition accommodation.
Origins of presupposition
from Latin 'praesupponere', meaning 'to suppose beforehand'
Summary: presupposition in Brief
A 'presupposition' [ˌpriːsʌpəˈzɪʃən] is an idea that is assumed to be true and used as a basis for reasoning or argument. It can also refer to the act of taking something for granted. Examples include 'The argument was based on the presupposition that all men are created equal.' and 'The success of the project was dependent on the presupposition that the necessary funding would be secured.' Phrases like 'underlying presupposition' and 'presupposition trigger' are also common.
