i surmise

USAGE SUMMARY

"I surmise" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to make an educated guess or inference based on limited information or evidence. Example: "After analyzing the data, I surmised that the company's profits would increase by 10% next quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Just what I surmise".

The New Yorker

"I surmise Jane had a great hand in it," he said.

The New Yorker

Putting the sixes together, I surmise it is a visit from the tooth devil.

The New York Times

I surmise that I am also older than most of the other injured men.

The New York Times

"I surmise that it has to do with the whole Clinton era," he said.

The New York Times

This, I surmise, must be why there is Benylin in my medicine cabinet.

The Guardian - Opinion

I surmise that what it was like to be someone besides himself bewildered Bazille.

The New Yorker

"Like my throat, my brain requires lubrication, and I surmise that you may be about to provide it".

The Guardian

By their body language I surmise that those members feel removing any of the tarpaulins would be a futile operation.

The Guardian - Sport

Except for many reworkings of the horseman — which I surmise was popular with Ramírez's audience at DeWitt — variation of design and image is constant, full of surprises.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I surmised that she was severely dehydrated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I surmise" when you want to convey a sense of educated guessing based on available information. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, adding a touch of thoughtfulness to your statement.

Common error

While "I surmise" is perfectly acceptable, using it too frequently in casual conversation can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I think" or "I guess" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I surmise" functions as a declarative statement expressing an inference or educated guess. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. Examples from Ludwig show it used to express conclusions drawn from observations or information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I surmise" is a versatile phrase used to express an educated guess or inference. As Ludwig AI states, it's grammatically correct and commonly employed in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, with particular prevalence in news and media, science, and formal business settings. While perfectly acceptable, its formality may make it less suitable for casual conversations. Consider alternatives like "I think" or "I guess" in informal contexts. High-quality sources, including The New York Times and The Guardian, frequently employ this phrase, reinforcing its legitimacy and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I infer

More formal than "I surmise", suggesting a logical deduction.

I gather

Suggests collecting information to form an opinion, slightly less formal.

I deduce

Implies a more rigorous, logical reasoning process.

I presume

Suggests an assumption based on probability, slightly less certain.

I assume

Indicates taking something for granted without concrete proof, more casual.

I suspect

Conveys a feeling or intuition, often implying doubt or negativity.

I conjecture

Suggests forming an opinion or supposition about (something) on the basis of incomplete information.

I reckon

Informal, suggesting an estimation or opinion.

I hypothesize

Suggests the initial point of an experiment or research.

My guess is

Informal and direct, indicating a simple estimation.

FAQs

How can I use "I surmise" in a sentence?

Use "I surmise" when you want to express an educated guess or inference based on the available information. For example, "After reviewing the data, "I surmise" that the project will be successful."

What can I say instead of "I surmise"?

You can use alternatives like "I infer", "I gather", or "I assume" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I surmise" or "I am surmising"?

"I surmise" is generally preferred over "I am surmising", as "surmise" is not typically used in the continuous tense. Use ""I surmise"" to express your educated guess or inference.

What's the difference between "I surmise" and "I think"?

""I surmise"" suggests a more thoughtful and reasoned guess based on some evidence, while "I think" is a more general expression of opinion.