may suppose that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may suppose that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a possibility or assumption about something. Example: "One may suppose that the results of the experiment will align with the initial hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You may suppose that the owner called his slave after the poet Tibullus; I don't know.

The New Yorker

AMERICANS wearied by mid-term elections may suppose that November 4th, polling day, will bring blessed relief.

The Economist

You may suppose that dressing like the indigent, in rags and tatters, to make a statement about art, politics, or identity, started with the punks.

The New Yorker

We may suppose that (Vert yVert=1).

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Since is bounded, we may suppose that.

Advances in Difference Equations

Then, we may suppose that (2.4).

Boundary Value Problems

We may suppose that (s_{u}geqslant t_{u}>0).

Boundary Value Problems

Without loss of generality, we may suppose that | u | ≤ | v |.

Boundary Value Problems

Replacing by if necessary, we may suppose that (3.7).

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Without loss of generality, we may suppose that.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Without loss of generality, we may suppose that (alpha=b).

Advances in Difference Equations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may suppose that" to introduce an assumption, especially when presenting a scientific argument or logical deduction. This phrasing is appropriate when you are setting up a condition or a hypothesis.

Common error

Avoid using "may suppose that" when you have definitive proof. This phrase implies uncertainty, so using it when the evidence is clear weakens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may suppose that" functions as a modal verb phrase used to introduce a supposition, hypothesis, or assumption. Ludwig confirms that it is used to present a proposition that is taken as true for the sake of argument or further exploration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may suppose that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as validated by Ludwig. It functions as a modal verb phrase to introduce suppositions, especially in scientific and formal writing. The phrase is most common in academic and scientific contexts, with a smaller presence in news and media. When using this phrase, remember that it implies a degree of uncertainty, so it’s best suited for situations where you're presenting a hypothesis or assumption that requires further exploration or justification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might assume that

Replaces "may" with "might", indicating a slightly weaker level of possibility.

we can presume that

Suggests taking something as true until proven otherwise.

could believe that

Emphasizes the potential for belief rather than supposition.

one might think that

Offers a common or expected viewpoint.

can infer that

Highlights the process of drawing a conclusion based on evidence.

it's reasonable to assume that

Highlights the rationality behind the assumption.

it is plausible that

Introduces a sense of believability or likelihood.

it is conceivable that

Indicates that something is possible, even if unlikely.

it stands to reason that

Implies a logical connection or consequence.

we can surmise that

Indicates forming an opinion or judgement about something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "may suppose that" to sound more formal?

To achieve a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it is plausible that", "it is reasonable to assume that", or "one can presume that".

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

"May suppose that" is appropriate when you are presenting a supposition or hypothesis, especially in academic or scientific contexts where you're setting up a condition or argument that requires further exploration.

Is there a difference in meaning between "may suppose that" and "might suppose that"?

While similar, "might suppose that" suggests a slightly lower degree of certainty or likelihood compared to "may suppose that". The choice depends on the level of confidence you wish to convey.

What are some common synonyms for "may suppose that" to add variety to my writing?

Some common synonyms include "can infer that", "could believe that", or "it is conceivable that" depending on the specific nuance you want to express.