suppose

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "suppose" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are speculating to express something as a hypothesis or to make a suggestion. For example: "I suppose we should go to the park this afternoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said it was "less efficacious for the real economy than most people suppose".

The New York Times

I suppose that everyone has his breaking point.

The Economist

But then I suppose divorce is always hard.

The Guardian

It's been 70-something years since we had someone in the final, so I suppose I can wait another year".

The Guardian - Sport

"I suppose now when I get opportunities, like Floody going with England, I've got to step up take every opportunity to show the coaches what I can do"."They," the friends and former Scarlet and Osprey team-mates with whom Williams still keep in touch "are just waiting to see what happens.

The Guardian - Sport

And I suppose the press are that – and I try to keep one step ahead of them.

The Guardian

"I suppose I appealed more to the working-class man, the people who worked in the meat works and the factories," he said in 2007, after announcing his intention to leave New Zealand to play overseas.

The Guardian - Sport

Why did you decide to publish? "I suppose the ­answer is that I'm a professional writer and I like making books.

The Guardian - Books

"Apart from being a mile high and an hour late I suppose it was a fair tackle", said Alan Hansen afterwards, a comment he later rescinded; Stevens set out to win the ball, not to cause injury, though whether he was reckless in so doing is harder to judge.

The Guardian - Sport

I suppose that's sport, isn't it?" Asked what qualities he has to help revive this England team, Cook referred to his experience of England's last whitewash series in 2006-07.

The Guardian - Sport

I suppose there is an outside pressure: we are one of the bigger teams in the tournament and people look to England as potential winners.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suppose" when you want to introduce a thought or idea that you are not entirely certain about. It is a good way to soften a statement or suggestion.

Common error

While "suppose" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for stronger, more definitive verbs when presenting facts or arguments. Consider alternatives like "assume", "presume", or "conclude" to convey greater certainty.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "suppose" is as a verb. It's used to express an assumption, belief, or conjecture. Examples from Ludwig, like "I suppose I can wait another year", demonstrate its role in softening statements and expressing uncertainty. Ludwig AI recognizes it as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

25%

Lifestyle

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suppose" is a versatile verb used to express assumptions, beliefs, or conjectures with varying degrees of certainty. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for many contexts, although it is advisable to use stronger verbs in highly formal writing. While it's very common in news, sports, and lifestyle content, it's less frequent in academic or scientific discourse. Remember to soften your statements when using this verb.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assume

Indicates a belief taken for granted without proof, similar to "suppose" but often with a firmer conviction.

presume

Suggests taking something as true until proven otherwise, implying a degree of probability.

imagine

Emphasizes the act of forming a mental image or idea, less about assumption and more about visualization.

think

A general term for having an opinion or belief, less formal than "suppose".

believe

Indicates a firm conviction or acceptance of something as true, stronger than "suppose".

guess

Implies a conclusion based on limited information, often with a higher degree of uncertainty than "suppose".

speculate

Suggests forming a theory or conjecture without firm evidence, more formal than "suppose".

conjecture

Similar to speculate, but often implies a more formal or academic context.

hypothesize

To form a hypothesis; to assume something as a basis for reasoning or investigation.

surmise

To infer something without sufficient evidence; a more formal alternative.

FAQs

How to use "suppose" in a sentence?

You can use "suppose" to express an assumption, a belief, or a conjecture. For example, "I suppose it will rain tomorrow" suggests an uncertain prediction.

What can I say instead of "suppose"?

You can use alternatives like "assume", "presume", or "think" depending on the context and the level of certainty you want to convey.

Which is correct, "suppose" or "supposed"?

"Suppose" is the base verb form, while "supposed" is the past participle or adjective form. Use "suppose" for present tense or infinitive forms, and "supposed" when you need the past participle (e.g., "It is supposed to rain") or as an adjective (e.g., "a supposed expert").

What's the difference between "suppose" and "presume"?

"Suppose" generally indicates a weaker level of belief or assumption compared to "presume". "Presume" suggests taking something as true until proven otherwise, whereas "suppose" simply introduces an idea without necessarily implying a strong conviction.