presupposition
gb/pɹˌisəpəzˈɪʃən/ us/pɹˌisəpəzˈɪʃən/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
abstract
1
something assumed in advance
something you assume is true before you start thinking or talking about something.
Usage pattern:
the presupposition that [clause]
Common mistake:
Often confused with presumption; a presupposition is a starting assumption, not necessarily a judgment about probability.
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.)
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
Themes
communication
|thinking
|education
Examples
- The report is based on the presupposition that demand will keep rising.
- Her argument fails because it rests on a presupposition that hasn’t been proved.
- We need to examine our presuppositions before we design the policy.
Learner examples
- The plan has one presupposition: the budget will be approved.
- He questioned the presupposition that everyone wants the same thing.
Noun
technical
C2
abstract
2
implied background assumption in language
in language study, an idea a sentence quietly assumes is true.
Usage pattern:
the presupposition of [noun/gerund]; carry a presupposition
Common mistake:
Learners may treat presupposition as the same as implication; presuppositions are backgrounded and often survive under negation.
Synonyms
background assumption (A plain-language paraphrase used outside technical discussion.)
Antonyms
assertion (An assertion is explicitly stated rather than treated as already accepted.)
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
Themes
language
|linguistics
|communication
Examples
- In pragmatics, the sentence 'Jane stopped smoking' carries the presupposition that Jane used to smoke.
- Even in 'Jane didn’t stop smoking,' the presupposition that she smoked before is still present.
- If the presupposition is false, listeners may experience a presupposition failure.
Learner examples
- The sentence has a presupposition about the past.
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.
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.
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.