I presumed that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I presumed that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express an assumption or belief about something without having definitive proof. Example: "I presumed that the meeting was still on schedule, but I later found out it had been canceled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

I think it was a pinstriped suit and certainly, by the type of shoes and that, I presumed that was a male person, because that's all I had in view, because the remainder of the torso disappeared into the wreckage".

Independent

"I presumed that would be the end of it, but to my astonishment they called me again".

BBC

I presumed that, as the Cold War was finishing in America, Cold War politics would finish as well and people would break up their silly old blocks and rethink a lot of original assumptions.

Huffington Post

Out of a sense of collegial victimization, I presumed that my fellow critics were innocent, too.

The New York Times - Books

I presumed that this was the best and only option for me.

The Guardian

"I presumed that I could trust officials when they assured me that everything is O.K.," Mr. Aquino said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Gail:  I presume that makes you happy.

The New York Times

I presume that is for my questions".

The Guardian - Business

I presume that is what will happen.

The New York Times

I presume that's a problem for Goodison.

The Guardian

SB I presume that means more physicians, more nurses, more facilities as well doesn't it?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I presumed that", consider clarifying the basis for your presumption to provide context and avoid misunderstandings.

Common error

Don't use "I presumed that" if you have solid proof or direct knowledge. Opt for stronger verbs like "I knew", "I confirmed", or "I verified" to reflect the certainty of your information.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I presumed that" is to introduce a clause expressing a belief or assumption held by the speaker in the past. This is supported by Ludwig, which identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I presumed that" is a grammatically sound and common phrase used to express a prior belief or assumption. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news and media, as well as academic contexts. While versatile, it's essential to use it appropriately, avoiding overuse when stronger evidence is available and clarifying the basis for your presumption. Alternatives such as "I assumed that" or "I inferred that" may be suitable depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I assumed that

Implies a slightly stronger belief based on less evidence.

I gathered that

Suggests an inference based on indirect information or observation.

I inferred that

Indicates a logical deduction from available evidence.

I understood that

Emphasizes comprehension or interpretation of something.

I concluded that

Highlights the result of a reasoning process.

I believed that

Focuses on a personal conviction or faith.

I surmised that

Implies a conjecture based on limited information.

I speculated that

Suggests a tentative guess or hypothesis.

I imagined that

Implies a mental picture or visualization.

I anticipated that

Focuses on expecting something to happen in the future.

FAQs

How can I use "I presumed that" in a sentence?

"I presumed that" is used to introduce a statement that you believed to be true, often without concrete proof. For example: "I presumed that the store was open on Sundays."

What can I say instead of "I presumed that"?

You can use alternatives like "I assumed that", "I gathered that", or "I inferred that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I presumed that" or should I use another tense?

"I presumed that" is grammatically correct. The past tense is appropriate when you are talking about a past assumption. You might also use "I presume that" when stating a current assumption.

What's the difference between "I presumed that" and "I suspected that"?

"I presumed that" indicates a general assumption or belief, while "I suspected that" implies a degree of doubt or mistrust. Suspecting suggests that there was some indication that something might be wrong or not as it seems.