Meaning & use
assertion
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Meanings
nouncountable
A strong statement that something is true, usually made without giving proof.
Grammar: Countable and usually followed by that: his assertion that he was innocent.
Patterns
- an assertion that something is true
- the assertion of something
Her assertion that the car was safe turned out to be false.
The lawyer challenged the witness's assertion.
His assertion is not backed by any evidence.
noununcountable
The act of stating or claiming something firmly, or of insisting on a right.
Grammar: Uncountable, often with of: the assertion of authority.
Patterns
- the assertion of something
The assertion of her rights gave her confidence.
He disliked the assertion of authority over the team.
The assertion of independence led to a new constitution.
nouncountablecomputing
In computing, a statement in code that checks that a condition is true.
Grammar: Computing use: an assertion fails when the condition is false.
Patterns
- write an assertion
The test failed because the assertion was false.
Add an assertion to check the value is positive.
Each unit test contains one assertion.
Word forms
| plural | assertions |
|---|
Common combinations
- make an assertion
- She made the assertion in front of everyone.
- bold assertion
- It's a bold assertion with no proof.
- challenge an assertion
- The reporter challenged the minister's assertion.
- baseless assertion
- That is a baseless assertion.
- assertion that
- The assertion that prices will fall is unlikely.
- support an assertion
- Data supports his assertion.
Synonyms and how they differ
- claim
- Claim is the plain everyday word for saying something is true, while assertion sounds firmer and more forceful.
- statement
- Statement is neutral and does not suggest that the speaker lacks proof.
- declaration
- Declaration suggests an official or public announcement, which is more formal than assertion.
- contention
- Contention is a view put forward in an argument, so it fits debates more than assertion does.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: assertion or insertion?
assertion vs insertion
An insertion is something put into something else, and it has no link to firm statements even though it sounds similar.
Practice
The politician's ______ that taxes would fall was met with doubt, since he offered no figures.
Choose one answer.
An assertion that means a firm claim, which fits the sentence. Assessment is a judgment after studying something, and it would not be followed by that taxes would fall.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “assertion”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.