assumed you know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assumed you know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that you believe the other person has prior knowledge about a certain topic or situation. Example: "Since we have discussed this topic before, I assumed you know the details of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I just assumed, you know, there's no way anybody's gonna hear about that.

The New Yorker

Here's Obama, talking to me in her motorcade halfway between Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and Green Bay about Obama Girl, the young woman who professed her crush on Obama's husband all over the Internet: "That was a little weird, because, you know.. I just assumed, you know, there's no way anybody's gonna hear about that.

The New Yorker

I just assumed, you know, that certain directors were born with the know how to do these big films.

Vice

(OL24, bleeding between periods, age 35) I guess I have not thought enough to be able to actually go and get it sorted out or, you know, speak to anybody about it, I just, kind of, assumed, you know, that might be what happens.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"In astrobiology, it was not assumed you knew anything, but it wasn't patronising," she says.

The Guardian

It's never occurred to me to write in and complain, because I've always assumed you knew what you were doing.

Independent

You went to law school; it was assumed you knew something others didn't.

Forbes

You must never assume you know what they want.

The Guardian

Assuming you know who your elected officials are, the Google search trick will find their accounts.

The New York Times - Tech

Don't assume you know what your children will appreciate in Italy.

The New York Times - Travel

It is almost always a mistake to assume you know where energy bills are going.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "assumed you know" when you genuinely believe the other person has prior knowledge, but be prepared to provide context if they don't.

Common error

Avoid using "assumed you know" when introducing a new topic or when the other person's familiarity is uncertain. Providing a brief explanation is always a safer approach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assumed you know" functions as a conversational filler or a way to preface information by implying prior knowledge. Ludwig AI suggests that it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. This implies a belief that the listener or reader is already familiar with the topic at hand.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "assumed you know" is grammatically sound and functions as a conversational shortcut, implying that the listener or reader is already familiar with the topic. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Its usage spans from News & Media to Science and formal communication. While efficient, be cautious not to overestimate someone's knowledge. Alternatives like "presumed you were aware" can soften the assumption.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

presumed you were aware

Emphasizes a prior expectation of knowledge, similar to assuming.

took it for granted you knew

Highlights an unquestioned acceptance of the other person's knowledge.

figured you were informed

Suggests the speaker believed the other person had been provided with information.

supposed you were cognizant

Implies a belief in the other person's awareness or understanding.

understood you had knowledge

Focuses on the understanding that the other person possessed specific information.

believed you were familiar

Emphasizes a confidence in the other person's previous exposure to the topic.

imagined you understood

Highlights a mental picture of the other person's comprehension.

gathered you were acquainted

Implies collecting information leading to the conclusion of the other person's awareness.

surmised you were privy

Suggests a private or confidential sharing of information that the speaker believed the other person received.

concluded you were versed

Indicates reaching a logical judgment about the other person's expertise.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "assumed you know"?

Use "assumed you know" when you have reason to believe someone already has information about a topic, such as in a follow-up conversation or when referring to common knowledge. It's best used when previous context indicates familiarity.

What's a less direct way to express "assumed you know"?

Alternatives include "I presumed you were aware", "I figured you knew", or simply starting with the information without explicitly mentioning the assumption.

How can I use "assumed you know" in a sentence?

Example: "I assumed you know the project deadline, so I didn't remind you." This implies you believed the person was already aware of the deadline.

Is it better to "assumed you know" or to explicitly state information?

It depends on the situation. Explicitly stating information ensures everyone is on the same page, especially with complex topics. However, "assumed you know" can be suitable in informal communication where prior knowledge is highly probable. Over-explaining can be condescending; brevity with the right audience is key.