presupposition
gb/pɹˌisəpəzˈɪʃən/ us/pɹˌisəpəzˈɪʃən/
C1
English
előfeltevés, preszuppozíció
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
előfeltevés
C1
Usage pattern:
the presupposition that [clause]
The report is based on the presupposition that demand will keep rising.
A jelentés azon az előfeltevésen alapul, hogy a kereslet tovább fog növekedni.
Her argument fails because it rests on a presupposition that hasn’t been proved.
Az érvelése azért bukik meg, mert olyan előfeltevésre épül, amelyet nem bizonyítottak.
We need to examine our presuppositions before we design the policy.
Learner examples
The plan has one presupposition: the budget will be approved.
A tervnek van egy előfeltevése: hogy a költségvetést jóvá fogják hagyni.
He questioned the presupposition that everyone wants the same thing.
Megkérdőjelezte azt az előfeltevést, hogy mindenki ugyanazt akarja.
Common mistake:
Often confused with presumption; a presupposition is a starting assumption, not necessarily a judgment about probability.
Meaning
something assumed in advance
Collocations
basic presupposition
|key presupposition
|underlying presupposition
|implicit presupposition
|tacit presupposition
|shared presupposition
|question a presupposition
|challenge a presupposition
|reject a presupposition
|the presupposition that
Synonyms
assumption (More general and more common; does not always imply a required starting point.)
|
premise (Often used for a stated starting point in reasoning, especially in arguments.)
Antonyms
conclusion (A conclusion is reached after reasoning, not assumed before it.)
Themes
communication
|thinking
|education
Definition
something you assume is true before you start thinking or talking about something.
An assumption that is accepted as true or necessary before an argument, plan, or statement can make sense or proceed.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
2
előfeltevés
C1
Usage pattern:
the presupposition of [noun/gerund]; carry a presupposition
In pragmatics, the sentence 'Jane stopped smoking' carries the presupposition that Jane used to smoke.
A pragmatikában a „Jane abbahagyta a dohányzást” mondat azt a preszuppozíciót hordozza, hogy Jane korábban dohányzott.
Even in 'Jane didn’t stop smoking,' the presupposition that she smoked before is still present.
Még a „Jane nem hagyta abba a dohányzást” mondatban is jelen van az a preszuppozíció, hogy korábban dohányzott.
If the presupposition is false, listeners may experience a presupposition failure.
Learner examples
The sentence has a presupposition about the past.
A mondatnak van egy múltra vonatkozó preszuppozíciója.
Common mistake:
Learners may treat presupposition as the same as implication; presuppositions are backgrounded and often survive under negation.
Meaning
implied background assumption in language
Collocations
trigger a presupposition
|presupposition trigger
|accommodate a presupposition
|project a presupposition
|cancel a presupposition
|background presupposition
|semantic presupposition
|pragmatic presupposition
|carry a presupposition
|presupposition failure
Synonyms
background assumption (A plain-language paraphrase used outside technical discussion.)
Antonyms
assertion (An assertion is explicitly stated rather than treated as already accepted.)
Themes
language
|linguistics
|communication
Definition
in language study, an idea a sentence quietly assumes is true.
In linguistics and pragmatics, a background assumption that a speaker treats as already accepted and that a sentence or utterance implies (often remaining implied even if the sentence is negated).
Grammar
Dictionary form
presupposition
IPA
GB/pɹˌisəpəzˈɪʃən/
US/pɹˌisəpəzˈɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
pre - sup - pos - i - tion (5 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (i)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: presupposition
- Plural: presupposition, presuppositions
Word family
Forms
presuppositions
noun
Core family
presuppose
verb C1
Related words
suppose
verb B1
supposition
noun C1
Advanced or less common
presuppositional
adjective
Expressions
carry a presupposition
1/kˈɛɹi ə pɹˌisəpəzˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
implicitly assume something
to include an unstated assumption.
Examples
- The question 'When did you quit?' carries a presupposition that the person used to do it.
- Definite descriptions often carry presuppositions about existence.
- Certain verbs carry a presupposition that something happened earlier.
Learner examples
- This sentence carries a presupposition about his past.
on the presupposition that
1/ˈɔn ðə pɹˌisəpəzˈɪʃən ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
formal
based on a prior assumption
assuming that something is true.
Examples
- We proceeded on the presupposition that the figures were accurate.
- The guidelines were written on the presupposition that users would read the instructions first.
- They negotiated on the presupposition that the contract would be renewed.
Learner examples
- We acted on the presupposition that the train would be on time.
with the presupposition that
1/wˈɪθ ðə pɹˌisəpəzˈɪʃən ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
formal
starting from an assumption
starting with the idea that something is true.
Examples
- The model was built with the presupposition that prices remain stable.
- She answered the question with the presupposition that everyone had the same background knowledge.
- The study begins with the presupposition that sleep affects memory.
Learner examples
- We started with the presupposition that the data was correct.