Necessary Assumption

A necessary assumption is something the argument cannot live without. If it is false, the conclusion cannot follow. Unlike a sufficient assumption, it does not have to prove the conclusion on its own.

Example

"Maya will pass, because she studied every night" requires that studying actually helps on this test.

See also

• Sufficient Assumption
• Assumption
• Flaw in the Reasoning

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Last updated October 12, 2026