presume
C1Formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
To suppose something to be true based on probability or evidence, or to undertake something with undue boldness.
In legal contexts: to accept something as true unless proven otherwise. To dare to do something, often implying overstepping proper boundaries.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Contains two distinct senses: 1) A logical assumption ('I presume you agree'). 2) An act of overconfidence or audacity ('He presumed to give orders'). The negative form 'presume not to...' is a formal prohibition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The 'presume on/upon' phrasal verb (to take unfair advantage of a relationship) is more common in British English.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'presume' is more formal and carries a greater weight of assumed evidence than 'assume'. The audacity sense is strong in both.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English in formal writing.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
presume (that) + clausepresume + object + to-infinitivepresume + objectpresume on/upon + objectVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “presume on someone's goodwill”
- “presume too much”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used cautiously in negotiations or emails to suggest a likely outcome ('We presume the contract will be signed Friday').
Academic
Used to state a hypothesis or logical inference based on evidence ('The study presumes a causal relationship').
Everyday
Common in questions or polite challenges ('Am I to presume you're not coming?').
Technical
In law: 'presumed innocent'; in logic: a presumed premise.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I presume you'll be taking the train.
- One must not presume upon the kindness of strangers.
- He is missing and presumed dead.
American English
- We can presume the meeting is at 3 PM.
- Don't presume to tell me what to do.
- The defendant is presumed innocent.
adverb
British English
- 'Presumably' is the standard derived adverb (e.g., He's presumably at home).
American English
- 'Presumably' is the standard derived adverb (e.g., She presumably already left).
adjective
British English
- 'Presumptive' is used (e.g., heir presumptive). 'Presumed' is the common participial adjective.
American English
- 'Presumptive' is used (e.g., presumptive nominee). 'Presumed' is the common participial adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I presume you know the way.
- Can I presume we are meeting tomorrow?
- Given the dark clouds, I presume it will rain.
- It was presumptuous of him to presume he was invited.
- The court must presume innocence until guilt is proven.
- She felt he had presumed upon their brief acquaintance by asking for such a large favour.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PRE-SUME: You SUME (take) something to be true BEFORE (PRE) you have all the proof.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWING IS SEEING ("I see/suppose that's the case"). TAKING LIBERTIES IS OVERSTEPPING A BOUNDARY ("He presumed on our friendship").
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'предполагать' (which is closer to 'assume/suppose'). The audacity sense is lost in direct translation.
- The legal 'presumed innocent' is 'признаваться невиновным до доказательства обратного', not a simple 'предполагать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'presume' and 'assume' interchangeably without recognizing 'presume's stronger basis in evidence.
- Incorrect preposition: 'presume on' (correct) vs. 'presume about' (incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'presume' in the sense of 'dare with overconfidence'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Assume' suggests a supposition with little or no evidence, while 'presume' suggests a supposition based on reasonable evidence or probability. 'Presume' also carries the distinct meaning of acting with undue boldness.
It is more formal than 'guess' or 'think', and slightly more formal than 'assume'. It is common in legal, academic, and professional contexts, but can be used in everyday speech for polite inference.
It is a phrasal verb meaning to take unfair advantage of a relationship, someone's kindness, or a situation (e.g., 'He presumed on our friendship by asking for money').
Yes, this is very common, especially in news or formal reports (e.g., 'The climbers are missing, presumed dead', 'the presumed author of the letter').