suppose it to

USAGE SUMMARY

"suppose it to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to express a hypothetical opinion or suggestion about something. For example: Suppose it to be true that we have a limited time on earth, how would you choose to live your life?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

We suppose it to be so; certainly the nostalgic history of American letters has it so.

The New York Times - Books

At first, the explorers suppose it to be a trace left behind by a primitive civilization in the moon's past.

The New Yorker

(Bloomberg) At Sea "I suppose it to be a peculiarly English thing, this intense, near-painful fondness for the ocean that surrounds us".

The New York Times

Moreover, if the expression bears many senses, while the answerer does not understand or suppose it to have them, surely the questioner here has directed his argument against his thought!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For, as we said, there are some who make it one of the stars, and others who, setting it at the centre, suppose it to be 'rolled' and in motion about the pole as axis.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mr. Browning played the solo part with exemplary virtuosity, and the audience, which is not by any means as naïve as some composers suppose it to be, obviously knew a good thing when it heard it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Suppose it converges to (v^{infty}).

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Suppose it comes to that?

Vice

I suppose it had to pop.

Vice

He supposed it had to do with Norbert's integrity.

The New Yorker

She supposed it was to make people like the baby.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suppose it to" when presenting a thought experiment or hypothetical situation, particularly in academic or formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "suppose it to" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "I suppose" or "I think" are usually more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "suppose it to" is to introduce a hypothetical or conditional clause. It sets up a scenario for consideration or argument, often in formal or academic contexts, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "suppose it to" serves as a formal way to introduce a hypothetical situation or assumption. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, primarily within News & Media, Academia, and Science. While related alternatives like "presume it to be" or "assume it to be" exist, the phrase finds its strength in academic and scientific discussions requiring a high level of formality. Be cautious not to overuse it in casual conversation where simpler phrases suffice. Overall, understanding the nuances of "suppose it to" allows for more precise and effective communication in appropriate settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

presume it to be

Replaces "suppose" with "presume", implying a slightly stronger degree of belief or expectation.

assume it to be

Swaps "suppose" with "assume", suggesting a taking-for-granted approach without necessarily having strong evidence.

imagine it to be

Uses "imagine" instead of "suppose", emphasizing a more creative or hypothetical consideration.

hypothesize it to be

Replaces "suppose" with "hypothesize", suitable for more formal or scientific contexts.

deem it to be

Substitutes "suppose" with "deem", which implies a more formal judgment or assessment.

consider it to be

Uses "consider" instead of "suppose", indicating a more thoughtful and deliberate evaluation.

grant it to be

Replaces "suppose" with "grant", suggesting an acceptance of something for the sake of argument.

take it to be

Substitutes "suppose" with "take", offering a more informal way of expressing an assumption.

conjecture it to be

Uses "conjecture" instead of "suppose", implying a speculative or uncertain guess.

surmise it to be

Replaces "suppose" with "surmise", indicating an inference based on incomplete evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "suppose it to" in a sentence?

You can use "suppose it to" to introduce a hypothetical scenario. For example, "Suppose it to be true that the universe is infinite; what are the implications?"

What is a synonym for "suppose it to"?

Alternatives to "suppose it to" include "assume it to be", "presume it to be", or "imagine it to be", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "suppose it to be"?

Yes, "suppose it to be" is grammatically correct, though it leans toward formal usage. It is used to introduce a hypothetical or assumption.

What's the difference between "suppose it to be" and "I suppose"?

"Suppose it to be" introduces a hypothetical scenario, whereas "I suppose" expresses a personal belief or opinion. The former is more formal and theoretical, while the latter is more conversational.