'Assume' and 'presume' are commonly confused words in English grammar. Understanding the difference between 'assume' and 'presume' is important to use them correctly in written and spoken English.
'Assume' means to take something for granted or to suppose something without evidence. It is used when someone makes a judgment or forms an opinion based on limited information or without complete certainty.
'Presume' means to suppose or to take for granted based on reasonable evidence or probability. It is used when someone makes an assumption based on logical reasoning or a reasonable expectation.
Let's take a closer look at the meanings and usage of 'assume' and 'presume'.
| 'Assume' | 'Presume' |
|---|---|
| The word 'assume' means to take something for granted or to suppose something without evidence. | The word 'presume' means to suppose or to take for granted based on reasonable evidence or probability. |
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To remember the difference between 'assume' and 'presume', it can be helpful to remember that 'assume' is used when making a judgment or forming an opinion based on limited information, while 'presume' is used when making an assumption based on reasonable evidence or probability.
Here are some examples of correct usage:
- I assume you will be attending the meeting tomorrow. (making a judgment without complete certainty)
- She presumed that he would be hungry after his long journey. (supposing based on reasonable evidence)
- Don't assume that everyone will agree with your point of view. (taking something for granted without evidence)
- The detective presumed the suspect's guilt based on the evidence. (supposing based on logical reasoning)
Remembering the correct usage of 'assume' and 'presume' will improve your grammar and communication skills.
