presuming

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "presuming" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate an assumption or conjecture about a situation before more information is known. Example sentence: Presuming the weather is nice on Saturday, we can plan to have a picnic in the park.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In other words, in the prey choice case, profitabilities, prey densities and search time availability would presumably have been among the selection conditions of a prey choice strategy (presuming it is an adaptation).

SEP

Environment minister Greg Hunt has been out and about this morning on the ABC and on the doors at Parliament, "hoping and expecting but not presuming" the new senate will pass the carbon tax repeal bills, driving the final nail into the heart of Labor's emissions trading scheme.

The Guardian

It was nothing to do with intelligence: it was the result of 18 years spent presuming that what you had to say was important.

The Guardian - Opinion

Presuming that Hollywood doesn't stop paying hosting fees for their old domains, their standalone movie sites will be preserved forever in digital amber.

The Guardian - Film

Presuming that Hodgson will continue to retain the same 4-4-2 midformationmond formation he used to so little success at the World Cup, Raheem Sterling will presumably stay in the No10 role behind two strikers, while Hodgson has asserted that Rooney remains his first-choice selection.

The Guardian - Sport

Of course, I'm presuming that all schools have jellies floating about at the top.

The Guardian

As it is, it's time to stop presuming that anyone who lives within 300 yards of a stile is pro-hunting.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, such coverage – as well as reflecting some understandable sensitivity in the area – made the mistake of presuming that the musical is a trivialising form, as if Wright and the victims were going to be parading in chorus lines and belting out thumping rhymed numbers, like Adolf Hitler in Mel Brooks's The Producers but without the irony.

The Guardian

I'm presuming Sky's aim is to give the Murnaghan show a higher profile within Westminster, as it competes directly against the Andrew Marr show.

The Guardian - Opinion

She will have to read set texts when she studies for formal exams later – presuming she takes them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Shrewd tinkering with the state's 53 seats (presuming it adds one to the present tally) could leave prominent Republicans battling for the same seat.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing context. While "presuming" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "assuming that" or "given that" may be more appropriate for academic or business writing.

Common error

Avoid using "presuming" repeatedly in formal documents. Vary your language with alternatives like "assuming that", "given that", or "on the assumption that" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "presuming" functions as a present participle, often used to introduce a clause that states an assumption or condition. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "presuming" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed present participle used to introduce an assumption or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for a variety of writing contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or professional settings. Predominantly found in news and scientific sources, it serves to establish a basis upon which subsequent statements depend. Be mindful of the potential for overuse in formal contexts, and consider variations like "assuming that" or "given that" to maintain a balanced and professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assuming

Similar to "presuming", but slightly more common and neutral in tone.

supposing

Implies a more tentative or hypothetical assumption than "presuming".

if we assume

More explicit in stating the act of assumption.

given that

Introduces a premise upon which a conclusion is based.

on the assumption that

More formal and emphasizes the basis for the presumption.

in the event that

Focuses on a specific condition being met.

conjecturing

Suggests a guess based on incomplete information.

hypothesizing

More formal and often used in scientific contexts.

postulating

Presents something as true, often as a basis for reasoning.

taking for granted

Suggests an assumption made without critical thought.

FAQs

How can I use "presuming" in a sentence?

"Presuming" can introduce an assumption or condition upon which a statement is based. For example, "Presuming the weather is good, we'll go for a hike".

What are some alternatives to "presuming"?

Alternatives include "assuming", "supposing", or "given that", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "presuming" and "assuming"?

While similar, "presuming" can sometimes imply a slightly stronger belief in the assumption than "assuming". However, they are often interchangeable.

When is it appropriate to use "presuming" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "presuming" when you want to introduce a condition or assumption that a subsequent statement depends on. Be mindful of the context and choose more formal alternatives like "given that" in academic or professional writing.