presumably we can

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "presumably we can" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a belief or assumption that something is possible or likely to happen. Example: "Presumably we can complete the project by the deadline if everyone contributes their part."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

And presumably we can feel satisfied.

The New York Times - Books

As long as we can erase them, presumably we can live forever.

The New York Times

Then presumably we can take steps to avoid those, let's say, decades of treatment".

The New York Times - Health

Presumably, we can with great legal rectitude report that Down Under the reaction was not entirely devoid of the suspicion that Australia had lost in something rather less than a fair fight.

Independent

If by equilibrium Mr. Brooks means the tendency of the American electorate to swing between anti-intellectual and more intellectually gifted presidents, then presumably we can expect former Governor Sarah Palin to assume the office of president in the not-too-distant future.

The New York Times

Maidment: But presumably we can control the risks, relatively straightforward.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

As well, his social behavior in general was "oddly 'unenlightened.' " Scanty source material (or obvious disengagement on the part of the subject) is the bane of the biographer, of course, and Stach, as meticulous and exhaustive as he might wish to be, is forever saying "surely"... "presumably"... "we can only speculate"... "it is highly doubtful"... "we know little".

The New York Times - Books

(Claudius is buck naked, presumably so we can understand why Gertrude would marry him).

The New York Times

Alright, now, if the four resonators in parallel are an implementation of the vocal cavity, then, presumably, what we can synthesize when we put them all in are vowel sounds and let's do that.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

So presumably what we can expect paragraph by paragraph is fun trivia about beards, and what we can expect chapter by chapter is the sort of substantive insight into "ideas of manhood" that only beards can provide.

The Guardian - Books

So HMS Don't Cry In The Rain, Ma'am was rebranded HMS Austerity, and politicians of all parties are now ostentatiously toasting her, presumably because we can use her, as the jubilee flotilla demonstrated, to sail obliviously towards decline.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, confirm that the assumption you are making with "presumably we can" is justified within the context of your writing. Avoid using it to introduce completely unfounded assertions.

Common error

Avoid using "presumably we can" when the context requires a stronger, more definitive statement. If you have solid evidence, a direct assertion is more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "presumably we can" functions as an adverbial modifier combined with a statement of ability. It introduces an element of assumption or expectation regarding a possibility. This phrase is often used to express a reasoned inference, aligning with Ludwig AI's grammatical correctness assessment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "presumably we can" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express a reasoned assumption or expectation about a future possibility. As verified by Ludwig AI, it indicates a belief based on available information, though without absolute certainty. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, and scientific contexts. While grammatically "correct", it's important to ensure the assumption is warranted and that the context doesn't demand a stronger statement of certainty. Consider related phrases such as "we can assume" or "we can expect" depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we can assume

Focuses on the act of assuming, removing the adverbial qualifier.

we can expect

Highlights the expectation aspect, rather than the presumption.

it is reasonable to expect that we can

Adds formality and emphasizes the justification for the expectation.

we can logically infer

Emphasizes the logical deduction leading to the possibility.

we should be able to

Shifts the focus to ability and a degree of obligation.

it is likely that we can

Replaces "presumably" with a direct statement of likelihood.

we might reasonably conclude

Focuses on the conclusion drawn from available information.

it stands to reason that we can

Implies a logical progression leading to a reasonable possibility.

we are led to believe we can

Highlights the source of the belief in the possibility.

one would expect that we can

Introduces a general expectation about what is possible.

FAQs

How do I use "presumably we can" in a sentence?

Use "presumably we can" to introduce a statement that you believe to be true based on some evidence or reasoning. For example, "Since we've completed the initial stages, "presumably we can" move on to the next phase".

What phrases are similar to "presumably we can"?

Similar phrases include "we can assume", "we can expect", or "it is likely that we can". The best alternative depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always appropriate to start a sentence with "presumably"?

While starting a sentence with "presumably" is grammatically correct, consider the flow and emphasis of your writing. Sometimes placing "presumably" later in the sentence might sound more natural. For example, instead of "Presumably, we can start tomorrow", try "We can, "presumably", start tomorrow".

When should I avoid using "presumably we can"?

Avoid using "presumably we can" when you need to express certainty or when you have concrete evidence. In such cases, stronger phrases like "we know we can" or "we have confirmed that we can" are more suitable.