presumably

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "presumably" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to convey the idea that something is likely or probable, but not known for sure. For example: "Presumably, the meeting will be held somewhere downtown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

2. To help us to monitor and improve the services we offer 3. To sell advertising space on the site.

The Guardian

After 9/11 Uzbekistan became a close strategic partner of the US, providing military facilities and transit routes to support US and Nato operations in Afghanistan.

The Guardian

If you would like fellow readers to respond to a dilemma of yours, send us an outline of the situation of about 150 words.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If you would like fellow readers and Linda Blair to answer a dilemma of yours, send us an outline of the situation of around 250 words.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All correspondence should reach us by Tuesday morning: email [email protected] (please don't send attachments) or write to Private Lives, The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Let us know in the comments section below.

The New York Times

"Presumably not.

The New York Times

For all of us.

The New York Times - Magazine

Let us know.

The New York Times

Everything went right for Germany and wrong for us.

The Guardian - Sport

"Let us assure you that the Government will do all we can to defeat the voices of division, but ultimately the challenges of integration and radicalisation cannot be solved from Whitehall alone.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While generally acceptable, in highly formal or scientific writing, more precise language might be preferable.

Common error

Avoid overusing "presumably" in your writing, as it can make your arguments sound weak or uncertain. Vary your language by using stronger assertions or providing supporting evidence when possible.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "presumably" is that of an adverb. It modifies a verb, clause, or sentence to indicate that something is likely to be true based on the available evidence, though without absolute certainty. According to Ludwig AI, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "presumably" is a grammatically sound adverb used to express likelihood or assumption. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Although relatively rare, it finds application across diverse contexts, including news, business, and scientific domains. While source authority for examples is generally high, over reliance on "presumably" can weaken writing. Alternatives such as "it is likely" or "one can assume" offer variety. The key is to use "presumably" judiciously, ensuring it adds nuance rather than undermining the strength of your statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It is reasonable to assume

Replaces the adverb with a full clause, making the assumption more explicit.

In all likelihood

Emphasizes the probability of something happening.

It is likely

Offers a direct statement of probability, avoiding the nuance of presumption.

It would seem

Suggests an assumption based on appearances.

More than likely

An informal way of saying "very probably".

One can assume

Presents the assumption as a possibility rather than a likelihood.

By all accounts

Suggests that something is true based on what many people say.

Apparently

Indicates that something is known from what one has heard or seen.

Seemingly

Similar to "apparently" but places more emphasis on the appearance rather than known information.

As a rule

Indicates that something is generally the case.

FAQs

How can I use "presumably" in a sentence?

"Presumably" is used to indicate something is likely but not certain. For example, "Presumably, the meeting will be held downtown."

What can I say instead of "presumably"?

You can use alternatives like "it is likely", "one can assume", or "in all likelihood" depending on the context.

Is "presumably" formal or informal?

"Presumably" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but more precise language may be preferred in scientific writing.

What's the difference between "presumably" and "apparently"?

"Presumably" suggests something is likely based on reasoning, while "apparently" suggests something is known from what one has heard or seen.