start to assume

USAGE SUMMARY

"start to assume" is both correct and usable in written English.
It means to begin to believe something without certain knowledge or proof. Example: As the strange events continued to unfold, the townspeople started to assume that the old mansion at the edge of town was haunted.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Once he went over there, they would start to assume.

The New Yorker

We should start to assume there is going to be a disaster every year.

The Guardian

People will start to assume that your promise is a lie and that you're a phony.

The New Yorker

Not that Americans were eager from the start to assume en masse the shirshasana, or headstand pose.

The New York Times

Add this to last year's excellent Lost Dogs collection, and suddenly Pearl Jam start to assume classic proportions.

The Guardian - Music

"First of all, the play finds the idea that these two characters start to assume each other's persona in the story," Mr. Warchus said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"I started to assume I'd been hit by a bus and dreamed the whole thing".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I started to assume goodwill as a default setting, and this transformed everything.

The Guardian - Travel

At last their tour of Australia, which was starting to assume Odyssey-like proportions, is over.

The Guardian - Sport

At the same time, local pizzerias were starting to assume a greater significance.

The New Yorker

"But I am upset because everybody is starting to assume I am taking drugs.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "start to assume" when you want to express the beginning of a belief or expectation, particularly when there is not yet solid evidence to support it. It indicates a developing thought process.

Common error

Avoid using "start to assume" excessively in formal or academic writing where precise and well-supported statements are preferred. Opt for stronger verbs like 'believe', 'conclude', or 'hypothesize' to convey greater certainty and authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start to assume" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of a belief or expectation. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start to assume" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the beginning of a belief or expectation. It's prevalent in News & Media, Academia, and Science, conveying a sense of nascent understanding or emerging opinion. While versatile, it's advisable to use more precise verbs in formal writing to strengthen claims. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, and the examples showcase its application in varied scenarios. Remember to use "start to assume" to indicate the inception of a belief, reserving stronger terms for more substantiated claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin to presume

Uses 'presume' instead of 'assume', implying a slightly stronger belief based on probability.

begin to suspect

Suggests a cautious or distrustful assumption about something.

commence to believe

Replaces 'start' with 'commence', making it slightly more formal, and 'assume' with 'believe'.

come to suppose

Highlights the process of forming a belief, with 'suppose' implying a less firm conviction.

grow to expect

Focuses on the development of expectation over time, rather than an initial assumption.

start to imagine

Implies forming a mental image or idea, which may not be based on solid evidence.

begin to surmise

Uses 'surmise' implying a more speculative or uncertain form of assumption.

turn to assuming

Focuses on the action of starting to assume something, suggesting a shift in perspective.

start to gather

Implies collecting information that leads to an assumption.

get to thinking

Suggests a gradual process of consideration leading to an assumption.

FAQs

How can I use "start to assume" in a sentence?

You can use "start to assume" to describe the beginning of a belief or expectation. For example, "After seeing the data, researchers "started to assume" a correlation between the two variables".

What's a more formal way to say "start to assume"?

In more formal contexts, you might use phrases like "begin to hypothesize", "commence to believe", or "gradually infer" instead of "start to assume".

Is it better to "start assuming" or "start to assume"?

"Start to assume" and "start assuming" are both grammatically correct, but "start to assume" often implies a more deliberate or conscious beginning of the assumption, while "start assuming" suggests a more gradual or unconscious process.

What's the difference between "start to assume" and "presume"?

"Start to assume" indicates the beginning of a belief or expectation, while "presume" implies a stronger belief based on probability or previous experience. You "start to assume" when you're just beginning to form an idea, but you presume something when you have some reason to believe it's true.