particular proposition
- noun
- /pərˈtɪkjələr ˌprɒpəˈzɪʃən/
- Specialized
- In logic class, we analyzed a particular proposition to determine how it applied to some members of the defined group.
Examples
-
The treatment conditions included the experimenter reading word problems aloud to the students, who were then asked to paraphrase (orally state and write) particular propositions (sentences) within the word problem before solving the problem.
Academic text (2013) -
Fnord, do you understand that an argument is aimed at a particular proposition, and not at everything that might pop into your head connected to it?
Blog text (23) -
The speaker focused on a particular proposition that highlighted the importance of teamwork in achieving success.
-
During the debate, the students proposed a particular proposition to support their argument about climate change.
Synonyms
A statement that applies to some but not all members
Antonyms
- Specialized
A statement that says something is true for every member of a group
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a proposition asserting something about some but not all members' is directly derivable from combining 'particular' (specific/about some) with 'proposition' (a statement that can be true or false). This modifier+noun composition is straightforward and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would likely infer the intended logical sense.
Etymology
The term particular proposition comes from the idea that particular is about a part of a group and proposition is a statement. So a particular proposition is a statement about only some members, not the whole group, which is why it means 'some, but not all'.