What's the Difference Between 'Assume' and 'Presume'?
In this blog post we look at when to use assume and when to use presume.
'Assume' or 'Presume'?
"Presume" and "assume" are two different words with similar meanings. Both words can be used to mean "to suppose or believe something to be true without having proof."
However, there are some slight differences in the connotations and usage of these words.
"Presume" tends to be used in formal or legal contexts, and it often carries the sense of making an educated guess based on available information.
For example, you might say "The court presumes the defendant to be innocent until proven guilty."
"Assume," on the other hand, is more commonly used in everyday speech and can carry the sense of taking something for granted or making an assumption without considering all the facts.
For example, you might say "I assumed that the store would be open on Sunday, but it was closed."
Here are a few sentences that demonstrate the difference between "presume" and "assume":
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"The court presumes the defendant to be innocent until proven guilty." (The word "presumes" here carries the sense of making an educated guess based on available information.)
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"I assumed that the store would be open on Sunday, but it was closed." (The word "assumed" here carries the sense of taking something for granted without considering all the facts.)
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"We can presume that the weather will be nice tomorrow based on the forecast." (The word "presume" here carries the sense of making an educated guess based on available information.)
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"I assumed that you knew about the change in plans, but I was wrong." (The word "assumed" here carries the sense of taking something for granted without considering all the facts.)
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"The prosecutor presumes the defendant to be guilty, but the defense lawyer argues otherwise." (The word "presumes" here carries the sense of making an educated guess based on available information.)
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"I assumed that you wanted to go to the beach, but I should have asked first." (The word "assumed" here carries the sense of taking something for granted without considering all the facts.)
Examples of Assume in a Sentence
Here are ten examples using the word "assume":
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"I assumed that you knew about the change in plans, but I was wrong."
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"She assumed the role of CEO after the previous CEO retired."
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"I assumed that you wanted to go to the beach, but I should have asked first."
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"He assumed a false identity to avoid detection."
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"They assumed that the project would be easy, but it turned out to be much more challenging than they thought."
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"We assumed that the weather would be nice, but it ended up raining all day."
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"She assumed control of the company after her father passed away."
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"He assumed the mantle of leadership and guided the team to victory."
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"They assumed that the task would be completed by the deadline, but it was not."
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"I assumed that you had already eaten, so I didn't offer you any food."
Examples of Presume in a Sentence
Here are ten examples using the word "presume":
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"The court presumes the defendant to be innocent until proven guilty."
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"We can presume that the weather will be nice tomorrow based on the forecast."
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"The prosecutor presumes the defendant to be guilty, but the defense lawyer argues otherwise."
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"She presumed that he would know the answer, but he didn't."
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"We presume that the meeting will be held in the conference room."
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"He presumed that his parents would approve of his decision, but they did not."
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"She presumed that the project would be easy, but it turned out to be much more difficult than she thought."
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"I presume that you are here to see the manager."
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"They presumed that the task would be completed by the deadline, but it was not."
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"He presumed that the job would be easy, but he soon discovered that it was much more challenging than he anticipated."
