Factive Presupposition
Pattern
Factive verb + clause→clause is true — truth presupposed by verb choice
Definition
The assumption that a complement clause is true, triggered by factive verbs like 'know', 'realize', 'regret', 'discover'. The truth of the complement is presented as established fact.
Examples
Example 1
'She realized that the door was locked.' — presupposes that the door was in fact locked. 'Realized' treats the complement as true.
AI Detection Note
AI frequently uses factive verbs ('it's important to realize that', 'we know that') to smuggle assertions past scrutiny. By presupposing rather than asserting, the claim appears established rather than argued.
See how your writing uses these patterns
Analyze Your Text