When do you presume, and when do you assume? These two words are often used interchangeably, likely because they come from the same Latin root and are used in similar contexts. However, there are subtle differences in meaning between the two. Today we put all assumptions aside, and get to the bottom presume and assume.
Both of these terms mean “to take for granted” or “suppose,” but presume conveys a little more confidence based on probability, reasonable grounds, or evidence. Assume is to take for granted without proof. In other words, something you presume is more likely to be true than something you assume.
Both terms derive from the Latin sūmere meaning “to take up.” The Latin assūmere means “to take to oneself; adopt.” Praesūmere, incorporating the prefix prae- meaning “before,” means “to take upon oneself beforehand; to anticipate.”
The famous expression “Dr. Livingston, I presume” sheds further light on the difference between these terms. This line was delivered by British American journalist and explorer Sir Henry Morton Stanley in 1871 when he arrived in Tanzania and located David Livingstone, a Scottish missionary and explorer whom several search parties had been sent to find as he had not been heard from for several years. Upon meeting Livingstone, Stanley remarked, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume.” Stanley’s use of presume is appropriate because Livingstone was, at the time, the only white European in the area, giving Stanley reasonable grounds on which to make such a presumption.
If you still aren’t sure how presume and assume are really any different, you aren’t alone. The key to deciphering between assume and presume is to understand that these two terms convey different degrees of certainty. However, in modern English, presume and assume are considered close enough in meaning to stand as substitutes for one another when you want to say “to take something as true,” so rest assured that your audience will still understand the intention of your sentence if you accidentally confuse the two.
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55 Comments
As per my understanding & keen observation, one can distinctly present the difference between presume & assume.
ASSUME – in a way taken for GRANTED BY TOTAL IMAGINATION ONLY which in reality never takes place as assumed & not presumed.
PRESUME – THE WAY ONE UNDERSTANDS OR ANALYZES THE RESPECTIVE TOPIC OR PERSON ON THE RADAR TO COME TO SOME CONCRETE CONCLUSIONS IF NOT 100% BASED ON PREVIOUS HAPPENINGS AS BASE PROOF FOR ANALYSIS & THEN everything is presumed to happen in this way if it’s done in this manner & not assumed as this is the way it will happen.
Hope I am closer to perfecting the difference between PRESUME & ASSUME without confusing one & all.
The words presume and assume, both mean “to take something for granted”. The only difference lies in the degree of certainty. Presume implies a higher degree of certainty as based on some reasonable proof or evidence. However, assume is used when there is little or no evidence or proof.
Love It
Presume means to go on and assume is when you just think something is true.
Great Word Facts. Get a better understanding between presume and assume ; )
I found this article very helpful!
I would make the distinction that a presumption is made on a “confidence based on OBJECTIVE probability, reasonable grounds, or evidence.” We operate from assumptions most of the time, and if asked for the thinking behind the assumption, we would have “confidence based on FILTERED probability, reasonable grounds, or [the] evidence [of our own] EXPERIENCE. Assumptions are the result of subjective thinking arising from the unconscious omission of relevant data.
I assume that you presume you know the difference between ‘assume’ and ‘presume’.
So, does that mean, when I say that I assume we will be going to lunch at restaurant “A” because we have been going there every day for years, I’m really presuming it? Would I be more accurate in saying, “I presume we’ll go to restaurant ‘A’”?
“If you are a Hume, you assume. If you don’t assume you are Kapitän!” -The Fall
Well, native speakers often choose presume out of being PC (politically correct) because as soon as you use the word assume, you’re often reminded what ASSUME spells… it makes an A$$ out of U and ME. If not PC, it’s just to avoid this debate.
I remember that from Benny Hill back in the day. Funny how the trivial stick in your mind around certain words.
By far my favorite comment on this blog is your definition
to presume is to assume, but with reason to think so. e.g., you would presume that your sister would share with you after your mother told her to.
to assume is to guess, with no reason to think so.
You can assume anything for the sake of argument. For example, “let’s assume that there’s life on Mars”. You can even assume things that are known to be untrue for the sake of argument. For example, talking to one’s 10-year-old kid one could say “let’s assume that you’re the richest person in the world……….” In neither case, can presume be used in place of assume.
The famous expression “Dr. Livingston, I presume” sheds further light on the difference between these terms.
There is also a subtle difference between “Livingston” and “Livingstone.”
Ha! Nice catch.
I enjoyed this Word Fact! Now I have a better understanding of the subtle differences between “presume” and “assume.”
‘The famous expression “Dr. Livingston, I presume” sheds further light on the difference between these terms.’ There is also a subtle difference between “Livingstone” and “Livingston.” ;D
Thank you for a job well done. Nigeria West Africa
Hello from England!
I’m quite surprised to hear that presume entails a stronger probability objectively speaking. My feeling is that the objective probability is comparable, but that presume entails a stronger subjective confidence—hence the negative connotation of presumptuous. I would think that presume connotes that the confidence is in some way greater than that which the evidence would permit a rational man to have, akin to prejudge.
I believe “presume” is taken to imply either a reasonable grounds for a conclusion to be drawn or an “unreasonable” (i.e., subjective) grounds. For instance, when you presume to know someone’s emotional state, you’re drawing a conclusion sans evidence.
Sans entirely reliable evidence, that is.
Precisely. Which is why “That’s terribly presumptuous of you!” is an accusation of the object stepping outside of reasonable bounds.
Excellent subjective analysis. Language entails more than connotations and denotations, more than literal and figurative meanings. Usage of words by living people results in shifting contexts vs. fixed definitions established by historic use. I agree with you esp. since a living language is in the hands of living people. And that can alter set historical and lexicographical meanings.
Assume ( assumption) when you are not assured.
Presume is used when you have some Pre- assumption .
I think you are right Amber. Simple as that!
What an awesome way to remember it!!
A common distinction rarely understood
bee the wax……of common sense interesy
i’m really thankful for enlightening me was confused about these ywo words “assume and presume”.now i’ve understood and have taken good note of it.thanks for the effort that you still showing through this app(Dictionary.com)
I entirely disagree. Please respond.
Presumably, the difference in the meaning very subtly answered assuming, the obvious.
Interested
I just found this facet of ‘Word of the Day’. What fun! As a lover of words/language and amateur word craftsman, I so appreciate the pleasant find, ‘assuming’ that it won’t be the last from you people.
Thanks,
Dr. Doug
If you were to assume something about me, you would make an ASS (of) U (and) ME.
Makes sense.
Based on this article I presume that “assume” would or could be used to convey the (present) subjunctive tense while presume could be used in (present) indicative tense as in the sentence:
I assume you were about to slip cyanide into my drink while adding the lemon, I presume it would definitely be a fatal dosage.
Is that sentence correctly worded?
Thanks!
Bradley, your sentence was worded correctly, because your first clause was based upon no evidence. Your last clause was based upon some knowledge of cyanide having the ability to kill you. On another note, since you used technical English-tense phrases, I presume that you are quite knowledgeable in English. Yet, you put a comma between two independent sentences, where a semi-colon would have been the correct punctuation.
Extremely thought provoking and well researched. Articles like this one allows a parent to address the age old question “why” with confidence and precision.Thank you for helping to clarify this and several other grammatical connundrums
Hi I appreciate the difference made between two words conveying similar meaning
This is a weekly comment on different words. Please read each week! I love you.
nice
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‘Certainity’ cannot have ‘degrees’. If you are certain, you are 100% sure. Are the words ‘evidence’ and ‘proof’ synonims? This article is not really helpful, if one starts to check the real and full meaning of the words. Nevertheless I enjoy these articles.
Degrees of certainty = uncertain, fairly certain, very certain, certain. Similar to degrees of confidence, of happiness, etc.
*synonyms
I presume you have never won a spelling bee.
That was very informative! Now I really know the difference between presume & assume. THANKS
So how does “presumptuous” get its negative connotation of arrogance? Is that part of “presume”, or does it inhere only in the adjective?
Had NO idea of which to use when. Very useful a d informative!
Dr. Livingstone, I “presumed” that you were alive and well when I encountered a native and told me
about a singular white man in the area….I “assume” you are the only one until today….
Now I can presume more often.. Haha
I’m going to assume that the word “presume” is tied to the word “presumptuous” which usually carries a negative connotation, however there is no such word as “assumptuous” which is odd. But I can change that.
Henceforth I coin the word “assumptuous” and it shall mean:
adj: Describing one who assumes too much.
Love the word “assumptuous.” I will definitely be using it!
I presume that dictionary.com assumed that people mistake “presume” and “assume” daily. I need to check that out.