Asserting

Asserting is the act of stating something as true. An assertion is a declarative proposition presented as fact, often reflecting the speaker's confidence or commitment.

In everyday language and in philosophy, an assertion is a speech act that conveys information the speaker takes to be true. It contrasts with questions, commands, or expressions of doubt.

In logic and mathematics, an assertion is a proposition asserted within a formal system. Axioms are foundational assertions, while theorems are assertions derived from them by rules of inference.

In computer science, an assertion is a runtime check that a condition holds. If not, the program may halt or report an error. Assertions help verify assumptions, document intent, and aid debugging; they are sometimes removed in production.

In journalism and law, assertions are statements presented as facts, though they may require supporting evidence or justification. The strength and credibility of an assertion often depend on the context and the available evidence.

See also: claim, declaration, proposition.