do not assume

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not assume" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to advise someone against making presumptions or conclusions without sufficient evidence or information. Example: "When discussing the project, please do not assume that everyone is on the same page."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do not assume your recommenders know what they are doing.

The Economist

Second, do not assume that such boundaries are fixed.

The New York Times

And do not assume most Latinos in Miami are Cuban.

The New York Times

Do not assume that my tolerance extends to indulgence.

The Guardian - Opinion

But do not assume that this budget will fail.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We just do not assume that America's wrong first".

The New York Times

We do not assume backward nor forward uniqueness of solutions.

Journal of Functional Analysis

We do not assume any continuity on.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

In particular, we do not assume any knowledge of prior probabilities.

Artificial Intelligence

We do not assume a fixed distribution of available paths.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

We do not assume that φ is nondecreasing.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing recommendations, clarify the basis of your reasoning. Instead of saying, "Do not assume your recommenders know what they are doing", you might add "because their understanding of your skills may be outdated".

Common error

Avoid using personal experiences or anecdotal evidence to form broad conclusions. For instance, instead of declaring "Do not assume most Latinos in Miami are Cuban", acknowledge the diversity within the Latino community.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not assume" functions as an imperative expression, advising the listener or reader to avoid making presumptions or taking things for granted. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

25%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do not assume" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that serves as a caution against making unsupported presumptions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a directive to avoid taking things for granted, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based reasoning. Its usage spans across diverse fields such as science, news, and general knowledge, reflecting its broad applicability and relevance. By providing a range of alternative phrases and highlighting common errors, this guide aims to equip writers with the tools to effectively communicate the need for caution and critical thinking in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid presuming

This alternative emphasizes the act of taking something for granted without proof.

do not take for granted

This phrase stresses the importance of not underestimating or overlooking something.

do not presuppose

This emphasizes the act of assuming something beforehand, before having evidence.

refrain from presuming

This is a more formal way of advising against making assumptions.

do not jump to conclusions

This warns against forming hasty judgments based on incomplete information.

avoid making assumptions

This is a more general way of advising someone to not make assumptions.

do not anticipate

This suggests not expecting something to happen before it actually does.

do not expect

Similar to 'do not anticipate', but can also imply a lack of entitlement.

do not surmise

This suggests not forming an opinion or conjecture about something.

do not conclude prematurely

This advises against drawing a conclusion before all the facts are known.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "do not assume" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, you could use alternatives like "refrain from presuming", or "avoid presupposing" to convey a similar meaning with increased formality.

What's a more direct way to say "do not assume"?

For a more direct approach, consider using phrases like "do not jump to conclusions", which bluntly advises against hasty judgments.

Is it ever okay to assume things?

While it's generally wise to avoid assumptions, in some situations, relying on common knowledge or widely accepted facts might be acceptable as a starting point. However, it's important to verify these assumptions when possible.

What's the difference between "do not assume" and "do not expect"?

"Do not assume" advises against taking something for granted without proof, while "do not expect" cautions against anticipating a particular outcome or entitlement.