may assume that

USAGE SUMMARY

"may assume that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are making assumptions about something. For example: "Given the evidence, we may assume that the suspect is guilty."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Next year, Golson may assume that role.

The New York Times - Sports

You may assume that French toast was invented in France.

Britannica

We may assume that is eventually positive.

Advances in Difference Equations

We may assume that (37) holds.

Advances in Difference Equations

We may assume that | y n 1 | → ∞.

Boundary Value Problems

We may assume that | x | ≤ | y |.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Without loss of generality we may assume that, that is,.

Advances in Difference Equations

Without loss of generality, we may assume that y ≤ x.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Without loss of generality we may assume that -a.e.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Let Then we may assume that again is large enough.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

We may assume that (a-ctau>0) and (b-dtauleq0).

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may assume that", ensure the assumption is reasonable given the available context and evidence. Clearly state the basis for your assumption to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid presenting assumptions as definitive facts. Using phrases like "it is known that" or "it is clear that" can undermine your credibility if the statement is merely an assumption. Qualify your statement with "may assume that" to acknowledge its tentative nature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may assume that" functions as an epistemic modal, indicating a degree of uncertainty or possibility regarding the truth of a proposition. It introduces an assumption or hypothesis that is being put forward, but without claiming definitive knowledge or proof. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a grammatically sound phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may assume that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used epistemic modal phrase that introduces a degree of uncertainty or possibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in writing when making assumptions. It's frequently seen in scientific and news contexts. When using it, ensure that the assumption is reasonable and supported by the available evidence, and avoid overstating the assumption as a definitive fact. Alternatives include "may presume that" and "can infer that", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may presume that

Slightly more formal than "may assume that".

we can suppose that

Highlights a tentative or hypothetical assumption.

can infer that

Emphasizes a logical deduction based on available information.

it is plausible that

Focuses on the believability of the assumption.

we hypothesize that

Formal, often used in scientific context when forming a hypothesis.

it is reasonable to assume that

Highlights the logical basis or rationale behind the assumption.

we might conjecture that

Suggests a speculative or tentative conclusion.

one might assume that

Introduces a sense of possibility or speculation.

we can take it for granted that

Suggests the assumption is widely accepted or self-evident.

it is understood that

Implies a common understanding or implicit agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "may assume that" in a sentence?

The phrase "may assume that" is used to introduce a statement you believe to be true, although it might lack definitive proof. For example, "Given the data, we may assume that the process is stable".

What is the difference between "may assume that" and "can assume that"?

"May assume that" suggests a possibility or permission to assume, whereas "can assume that"/"could assume that"" expresses ability or logical possibility. "You may assume that" implies an allowance, but "You can assume that" suggests a reasonable conclusion.

What are some alternatives to "may assume that"?

Alternatives include "may presume that", "can infer that", or "it is reasonable to assume that", depending on the context and level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "may assume that" in academic writing?

In academic writing, "may assume that" is useful for introducing a hypothesis, a simplification for a model, or a premise that is necessary for an argument. It's appropriate when the assumption is reasonable but not definitively proven.