language learning center · C2 · Lesson 3
Tracing assumptions and consequences
Expose the assumptions carrying an argument and trace how changing one premise alters its downstream conclusions.
Understand and learn
Work from a natural example to useful language, one small pattern, a spoken attempt, and a response that is relevant to your life.
Elena
The forecast assumes that lower prices will increase demand enough to offset the smaller margin.
Elena identifies the unstated causal premise behind the optimistic forecast.
Marcus
Even granting that assumption, the conclusion depends on production scaling without additional delays.
Marcus provisionally accepts one premise to expose a second dependency.
Elena
If capacity is already constrained, the same rise in demand could worsen shortages rather than improve revenue.
Elena changes one condition and traces the reversed consequence.
Marcus
So the recommendation is sound only under a fairly narrow set of operational conditions.
Marcus restates the claim with its hidden conditions now visible.
Notice, try, and speak
Understand a natural example and learn a small set of useful words, phrases, and patterns.
Useful words and phrases
These items were selected by the lesson curriculum for practical use—not extracted as an every-word list.
That conclusion rests on the assumption that…
Name an unstated premise carrying the argument.
That conclusion rests on the assumption that…
Even granting that assumption,…
Accept a premise temporarily to test what follows.
Even granting that assumption, the conclusion depends on production scaling without additional delays.
The argument also depends on…
Expose an additional necessary condition.
The argument also depends on…
If that condition does not hold,…
Trace the consequence of a failed premise.
If that condition does not hold,…
The claim is sound only insofar as…
Limit a conclusion to the conditions supporting it.
The claim is sound only insofar as…
Notice, try, and speak
Which response most clearly tests an argument by changing one of its assumptions?
Make it yours
In English, identify two assumptions in a complex recommendation, provisionally grant one, and explain what changes if the other fails.
Choose a prediction or recommendation that affects your work, studies, or community.
Use it with someone
Audit a chain of reasoning in English
- 1. That conclusion rests on the assumption that…
- 2. Even granting that assumption,…
- 3. The argument also depends on…
- 4. If that condition does not hold,…
- 5. The claim is sound only insofar as…