Confusing Words: Assume (verb) and Presume (verb)
Meaning:
Assume (suppose to be the case, without proof.)
Presume (suppose that something is the case on the basis of probability.)
Clarification: Assume and presume are based on same meanings but there is a minor difference between the meanings of both words.
Assume vs Presume – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?
Both assume and presume are correct to use within sentences. They have quite similar meanings but not completely. There is a minor difference between them and you should have enough idea when to use assume and presume within a text. In this way, you can write better. You have an idea about the verb ‘suppose’. Both assume and presume are closely related to this verb ‘suppose’.
I will let you know that minor difference between assume and presume. I will use each word in sentences to show you the usage of each word. Continue reading to clear up your minds!
Assume
This particular word is used as a verb within sentences. Assume means to suppose something but in this case, you have no proof for your supposition. You are just supposing or hoping that whatever you are thinking is might be true.
1. People were assuming that the thief is my friend.
2. I assumed you as a doctor but you are, in fact, a professor.
3. If we assume we have arrived: We stop searching, we stop developing. (Jocelyn Bell Burnell)
People mostly assume anything and get into an argument. They have no surety or proof and they make believe themselves against an action.
Presume
Presume can also be used as a verb within a sentence. Presume means to suppose something on the basis of probability or possibility. This supposition can also be without proof but there is enough evidence or there is possibility of something to be happened.
1. There was a horrible catastrophe so, everyone presumed that the village had been destroyed.
2. They didn’t give even a single thing to eat. I presume you are hungry now.
3. Everyone’s entitled to express their political beliefs. I don’t presume to tell everybody who to vote for. I am comfortable telling people what my opinions are. (Ben Afflick)
Got the Difference?
I hope that from the above discussion the difference between assume and presume has been cleared. To assume is to suppose something but you do not have any proof for your supposition. To presume is also to suppose but in this case, there is possibility or probability. You are making a guess while assuming that is why people will feel something crazy about you. On the other side, there is nothing crazy in presuming because it is usually right.
What Did You Learn?
Assume and presume are based on same meanings but there is a minor difference between the meanings of both words. To assume is to suppose without any proof or evidence. To presume,on the other hand, is to suppose based on some possibility or probability.