East Forsyth High School, Kernersville, NC - Home of the Eagles
Class Of 1973
Assume vs presume
Today's Lunchbox Lesson: ASSUME vs PRESUME
ASSUME and PRESUME both mean "to take something for granted as true" (among their many other definitions), which is how they typically get mixed up. The difference is in the degree of certainty.
To ASSUME is to make a guess based on little or no evidence. (That's why we have that catchy phrase about ASSUME)....
To PRESUME is to make an informed guess based on reasonable evidence or probability
If someone bangs on your door early in the morning, you might ASSUME (and hope!) it's just your neighbor. If your neighbor knocks on your door each day at 6:30, at 6:29 you can PRESUME she's coming over in a minute.
ex: I ASSUME police have at least interviewed some suspects in the ninja case, but I don’t know if they have or not.
ex: I told the man, whom I PRESUME to be the owner judging from the picture on his company website, that I liked his Sharknado products.
Memory trick: Presume = Probability
Assume = A lack of evidence
ASSUME and PRESUME both mean "to take something for granted as true" (among their many other definitions), which is how they typically get mixed up. The difference is in the degree of certainty.
To ASSUME is to make a guess based on little or no evidence. (That's why we have that catchy phrase about ASSUME)....
To PRESUME is to make an informed guess based on reasonable evidence or probability
If someone bangs on your door early in the morning, you might ASSUME (and hope!) it's just your neighbor. If your neighbor knocks on your door each day at 6:30, at 6:29 you can PRESUME she's coming over in a minute.
ex: I ASSUME police have at least interviewed some suspects in the ninja case, but I don’t know if they have or not.
ex: I told the man, whom I PRESUME to be the owner judging from the picture on his company website, that I liked his Sharknado products.
Memory trick: Presume = Probability
Assume = A lack of evidence