I assume not

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence 'I assume not' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you presume something is not the case. For example: "Do you think she'll be able to come to the party tonight? I assume not".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I assume not.

The Economist

NICK PAUMGARTEN: I assume not.

The New Yorker

The project scientist, Dr Matt Taylor, appeared on TV wearing a shirt patterned with images of semi-clothed women that I assume (not being an expert in either of these fields) reference video games and heavy metal albums.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One commenter on Digg said it looks like it's running "Friendster 1.0 alpha software on a Speak n' Spell" which is funny but, I assume, not accurate.

TechCrunch

10 48 PM John: I assume not that many Democrats are watching this, but how telling..

Huffington Post

He is a man out of time, operating something that is, I assume, not long for this world.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Jake collected enough for breakfast, or so I assumed, not realizing that he intended to keep them.

The New York Times - Arts

"When I went to Seattle from college, I assumed, not having been in the league, that players were coached and ready to go," Erickson said.

The New York Times - Sports

(The owners, I have to assume, not the dogs themselves).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I'd just assume not speculate too much until the full weekend numbers are in.

Huffington Post

Assume not.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I assume not", be mindful of the context. It's best suited for informal conversations or situations where a degree of uncertainty is acceptable.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "I assume not" can sound too casual in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language that explicitly states your reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I assume not" functions as a declarative statement expressing a negative presumption or expectation. Ludwig highlights that the phrase is usable in written English, indicating its role in conveying a belief that something is likely not the case. The phrase's function is to gently assert a negative belief.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I assume not" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for conveying a negative presumption or expectation. Ludwig's analysis confirms its acceptability in written English. While it may not be appropriate for highly formal contexts, it is frequently used in news and media, suggesting a neutral tone. Alternatives such as "I presume not" or "I don't assume so" can offer subtle variations in formality or emphasis. Overall, understanding the context and intended audience is crucial when deciding to use the phrase "I assume not".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I presume not

Replaces "assume" with "presume", offering a slightly more formal tone.

I don't assume so

Expresses the lack of assumption more directly using a negative construction.

I wouldn't assume so

Suggests a reluctance to make the assumption, implying doubt.

I imagine not

Substitutes "assume" with "imagine", implying a mental picture or expectation.

I expect not

Uses "expect" instead of "assume", indicating a belief about what will happen.

I guess not

Replaces "assume" with "guess", implying a less certain belief.

I surmise not

Offers a more formal and less common alternative using the word "surmise".

I infer not

Uses "infer", suggesting a conclusion drawn from evidence or reasoning.

I gather not

Employs "gather", implying an understanding based on available information.

I understand not

Suggests a lack of understanding, leading to the negative assumption.

FAQs

What does "I assume not" mean?

The phrase "I assume not" expresses a negative presumption or expectation. It means that the speaker believes something is likely not the case, often without having concrete evidence.

Is "I assume not" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I assume not" is grammatically correct and can be used in spoken and written English, especially in informal contexts. Ludwig confirms that it's usable in written English.

When is it appropriate to use "I assume not"?

Use "I assume not" when you want to express a negative expectation or presumption politely. It's suitable for informal settings where a degree of uncertainty is acceptable. It can also act as a softener when you don't want to sound assertive.

What are some alternatives to "I assume not"?

You can use alternatives like "I presume not", "I don't assume so", or "I wouldn't assume so" depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.