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Abstract

Presupposition has traditionally been examined as a semantic phenomenon, although its functions in everyday communication extend beyond truth-conditional meaning. This study aims to examine presupposition as a pragmatic phenomenon, particularly how speakers use implicit assumptions to manage information, influence interpretation, and negotiate common ground. Using a literature review approach with qualitative thematic synthesis, the study examines 13 studies published between 2011 and 2026, identified through academic literature searches involving Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The analysis identifies four major themes: the development of semantic and pragmatic theories, the rhetorical functions of presupposition in political and media discourse, the role of presupposition in dialogue and questions, and challenges in computational language processing. The findings indicate that presuppositions facilitate communication by establishing shared assumptions, supporting conversational coherence, and reducing the need for explicit explanations. However, their interpretation remains context-dependent, particularly when presupposed information is challenged, cancelled, or embedded in complex linguistic structures. The review concludes that presupposition should be understood not only as a linguistic property but also as a pragmatic mechanism through which speakers and hearers construct, maintain, and negotiate meaning in everyday communication.

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