assuming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assuming" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something is taken for granted or accepted as true without proof in a given context. Example: "Assuming that the weather is clear, we will proceed with the outdoor event as planned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As a consequence, even if the SFO had been aware of cheques to the Conservative party in 1993 – and assuming there was sufficient evidence of theft – prosecutors would not have been likely to add a count to the indictment.

The Guardian - Business

The couple were sent refunds of the tax they had paid, but admit they failed to read the letter in its entirety, assuming all was well.

The Guardian - Money

The scheme will be open to new accountholders for four years from the autumn, the chancellor said, but once you have opened an account you can keep it until you are ready to buy (assuming that the scheme is not scrapped later on).

The Guardian - Money

Some executives are hesitant to embrace sustainability initiatives, assuming that they will divert resources from more business-minded pursuits.

The Guardian

Assuming you live in a part of the country affected by the bad weather of course.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The appointment will see the economics professor, who was raised in the UK, assuming a more active role in face-to-face negotiations with creditors.

The Guardian

The statement added that 98% of families would not face tax rises, assuming the House also voted for the deal.

The Guardian

Assuming vampires only feed once a month ("a highly conservative assumption given any Hollywood vampire film"), and that each time a vampire feasts upon a human their respective populations increase/decrease by 1, a simple geometric progression suggests that vampires would wipe out humans in approximately 2.5 years (assuming arbitrarily that the first vampire appeared in the year 1400).

The Guardian

Assuming they play with a back four they can play Andrea Pirlo as a deep-lying playmaker (and hope his unusually wayward passing in the second leg against Madrid was a one-off) with Paul Pogba and Claudio Marchisio biting and snapping around him.

The Guardian - Sport

"We have successfully deregulated all sorts of industries, and I'm assuming that we will figure out a way to work Uber in down here," said Parker.

The Guardian

Iran's president, Hassan Rouhani, who promised to advance equality for women upon assuming office last month, greeted her in a tweet: "Shirin Gerami, 1st female triathlete to have participated in world championship wearing Iran's colours #GenderEquality".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "assuming", ensure that the assumption is reasonable and relevant to the context. Avoid making unfounded assumptions that could weaken your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "assuming" as a substitute for evidence or logical reasoning. Always provide a basis for your assumptions to maintain credibility and avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assuming" functions as a present participle, often introducing a subordinate clause that expresses a condition or hypothesis. As noted by Ludwig AI, it indicates taking something for granted. Examples include "Assuming they play with a back four..." and "Assuming a modest production budget...".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "assuming" is a versatile and frequently used present participle that introduces a condition or hypothesis. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates taking something for granted in order to proceed with an argument or statement. Its grammatical correctness, high frequency, and neutral register make it suitable for various writing contexts, particularly news, business, and scientific writing. When using "assuming", ensure the assumption is reasonable and justified to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

presuming that

Formal alternative emphasizing a belief before evidence.

on the assumption that

Highlights the basis for a decision or conclusion.

granting that

Acknowledges a point for the sake of argument.

suppose that

Introduces a hypothetical scenario or condition.

if we take into account

Emphasizes consideration of specific factors.

given that

Indicates something is already known or established.

accepting the premise that

Formal and emphasizes a starting point for reasoning.

taking for granted that

Highlights something assumed without question.

postulating that

Formal term for proposing something as a basis for reasoning.

under the aegis that

Suggests an implicit belief as justification.

FAQs

How can I use "assuming" in a sentence?

"Assuming" is used to introduce a condition or hypothesis that, if true, affects the outcome or validity of a statement. For example, "Assuming the weather is good, we'll go for a hike."

What are some alternatives to "assuming"?

Alternatives include "presuming that", "on the assumption that", or "given that", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "assuming that"?

Yes, "assuming that" is grammatically correct and commonly used. The "that" is often omitted for brevity, but including it doesn't change the meaning.

What's the difference between "assuming" and "presuming"?

"Assuming" typically implies taking something for granted without proof, while "presuming" suggests believing something to be true based on probability or some evidence, though not definitively proven.