supposing that

USAGE SUMMARY

"supposing that" is a perfectly grammatical phrase in written English.
It is used to introduce a hypothetical situation or a premise from which to draw a conclusion. For example, "Supposing that it rains tomorrow, we should bring an umbrella."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

First, discredit the traditional reasons for supposing that God exists.

The New York Times - Books

It's like supposing that he would have believed in evolution.

The Guardian - Opinion

Supposing that happens, where does that leave us?

The Guardian - Sport

Really, I mean, supposing that you could tell.

Princeton University

There is, however, no ground for supposing that polytheistic and monotheistic ideas were excluded.

Britannica

They were the ones who looked naïve for supposing that anyone would fall for their stunt.

The New York Times - Magazine

He recognises the naivety of supposing that distance can separate us from ourselves.

The Guardian - Books

Supposing that was true, Haggis said, why hadn't Miscavige stopped it?

The New Yorker

He is quite right in supposing that most people here don't see that.

The New York Times

Aren't you guilty of supposing that black people matter less than white?

The Guardian

But just supposing that George Galloway, David Icke or Abu Hamza got the job?

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "supposing that", ensure the hypothetical situation you introduce is clearly relevant to the conclusion or argument you are making.

Common error

Avoid using "supposing that" with verbs in the future tense when referring to a hypothetical past event. For example, instead of "Supposing that he will have studied harder, he would have passed", use "Supposing that he had studied harder, he would have passed".

How to use

Learn how to use "supposing that" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

"Supposing that" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a conditional clause that presents a hypothetical scenario. It sets the stage for a conclusion or result that depends on the condition being met, as Ludwig's examples show.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

34%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "supposing that" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to introduce a hypothetical condition. It is grammatically correct and relatively common, appearing frequently in news and media, scientific and academic contexts. While Ludwig AI indicates its correctness, it can sometimes sound formal, so consider the context when choosing this phrase. Alternatives like "if" or "assuming that" might be more appropriate in informal settings. When using "supposing that", make sure the hypothetical situation is clearly relevant to the point you're making.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assuming that

Expresses a similar conditional relationship, focusing on accepting something as true.

if

A more concise way to introduce a conditional clause.

given that

Indicates that something is being taken into account or considered as a known fact.

provided that

Specifies a condition that must be met for something else to occur.

on the assumption that

Highlights the underlying belief or premise upon which a statement is based.

in the event that

Focuses on a possible future occurrence and its consequences.

presuming that

Similar to assuming, but often implies a degree of uncertainty or conjecture.

assuming as true

Rephrases "assuming that" by adding explicitness that the assumption has to be considered true.

taking for granted that

Implies that something is accepted as true without question or proof.

considering that

Introduces a factor that is relevant to the current situation or conclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "supposing that" in a sentence?

"Supposing that" introduces a hypothetical situation or condition. For instance, "Supposing that it doesn't rain, we'll go for a walk" illustrates a plan contingent on the weather.

What's a good alternative to "supposing that"?

Alternatives include "assuming that", "if", or "given that". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever wrong to use "supposing that"?

While grammatically correct, "supposing that" can sometimes sound overly formal. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "if" may be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "supposing that" and "presuming that"?

"Supposing that" implies a hypothetical scenario, while "presuming that" suggests an assumption based on some evidence, although it may not be fully confirmed.