surmise that

USAGE SUMMARY

"surmise that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are making a hypothesis or conjecture about a possible situation. For example, "I surmise that the rain outside is the cause of the flooding in the basement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You can surmise that for yourself".

The New York Times - Sports

We can surmise that each had particular reasons.

The New York Times

"At 1-8, you can definitely surmise that," Clemens answered.

The New York Times

It was Mr. Kushner's surmise that all playwrights did it.

The New York Times

We surmise that BVP has adapted the cysteinyl phosphatase fold to the hydrolysis of phosphoanhydrides.

Virology

One could surmise that the economic sanctions do not affect the country's leadership much, he said.

Stanford University

Second, they surmise that utilities might have to pass on damages recovered in a § 4 action.

Cornell University

We surmise that soluble Se is regulated by the solubility of a sodium selenate sulfate coprecipitate.

Geoderma

That led economists to surmise that other factors were at play.

The New York Times

"I can only surmise that these other guys are shut down," he said.

The New York Times

We surmise that this might be a direct observation of a 'bootstrap' effect.

Polymer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surmise that" to indicate a conclusion you've reached based on available evidence but without definitive proof. It's suitable when you want to sound thoughtful and considered.

Common error

Be careful not to present a "surmise that" as an established fact. The phrase indicates a degree of uncertainty, so avoid using it in contexts requiring definitive statements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surmise that" functions as a verb phrase introducing a clause expressing a conjecture or inference. It indicates a conclusion drawn from incomplete evidence, suggesting a degree of uncertainty. Ludwig examples show its use in academic papers and news articles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

44%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Ludwig's analysis confirms that "surmise that" is a common and correct phrase used to express a conclusion or inference based on available evidence, though without absolute certainty. It is particularly prevalent in science, news and media, and academic contexts. While grammatically sound, it's important to avoid overstating your conclusions when using the phrase. Instead of definitive statements it's better to use it to sound thoughtful and considered. According to Ludwig AI, "surmise that" is suitable when you are making a hypothesis or conjecture about a possible situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hypothesize that

More formal and often used in scientific or academic contexts, implies a structured guess based on some evidence.

Infer that

Implies drawing a conclusion based on evidence or reasoning, highlighting a logical process.

Deduce that

Emphasizes a logical and systematic process of reasoning to arrive at a conclusion.

Guess that

The simplest and most direct alternative, suitable for informal situations.

Speculate that

Suggests forming a theory or conjecture without firm evidence, emphasizing uncertainty.

Presume that

Similar to assume, but often carries a stronger sense of confidence or entitlement.

Assume that

Indicates taking something for granted without proof, which is subtly different from inferring based on evidence.

Conclude that

Indicates a formal summing up of evidence or arguments leading to a final judgment.

Suggest that

More tentative, indicating a possibility or hint rather than a firm belief.

Figure that

Informal, often used to describe coming to a conclusion after some thought or observation.

FAQs

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

"Surmise that" is used to introduce a guess or inference based on some evidence but without complete certainty. For example, "Given the data, we can "surmise that" the project will be successful."

What are some alternatives to "surmise that"?

Alternatives to "surmise that" include "hypothesize that", "guess that", "infer that", and "speculate that". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Is it better to use "surmise that" or "assume that"?

"Surmise that" implies a degree of reasoning based on available information, while "assume that" suggests taking something for granted without necessarily having supporting evidence. Choose "surmise that" when you have some basis for your conclusion.

What's the difference between "surmise that" and "suggest that"?

"Surmise that" implies a conclusion you've personally drawn, whereas "suggest that" is more tentative, indicating a possibility or hint without necessarily implying a firm belief.