surmised

USAGE SUMMARY

"surmised" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe when a person forms a conclusion or opinion about something based on evidence or their own experience. For example, "She surmised that the noise was coming from the basement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

All of her Aids infested stans are going to be tweeting the video link and giving blowjobs on Craigslist in exchange for video views!" Despondent Gaga fans might kill themselves, the note surmised, which would put an end to the problem.

The Guardian - Music

Solely taking their opening match into account when they contrived to draw with 10-man Greece from a winning position, it could be surmised that they are chokers prone to freezing when the pressure is on, but then they managed to draw with 11-man Russia, one of the tournament's most impressive sides so far, in their second game.

The Guardian - Sport

She was allowed to win, they mournfully surmised, because she had capitulated to the West by singing, as no Turkish competitor had done before, in English.

The Economist

Mr Sankoh, it is surmised, wanted to sound statesmanlike about something else.Another reason could be that, as the Nigerian peacekeepers depart with their loot and shovels, other forces are moving into the diamond areas.

The Economist

The typical pair, she surmised, were probably a Henry (Hooray in his wild youth) and a Caroline.

The Economist

Surely, they surmised, America and its Western allies would not sit by and allow to prosper a group that had grown out of al-Qaeda in Iraq and killed American soldiers during the war there in 2003?

The Economist

Mr Levitt, along with co-author John Donahue, boldly surmised that legalised abortion might have reduced the number of unwanted children born to parents likely to raise criminal offspring.

The Economist

Fill everyone up with pizza, the pilot correctly surmised, and they will be more likely to sit tight.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say in all crucial matters of state, would—it was surmised look on with approval, perhaps with vote-rigging officials poised to enforce the desired result, as they did last time round, in 2009, when the country was thrown into a year-and-a-half of turmoil.

The Economist

Suspicion fell on Boko Haram, a Muslim extremist group that had previously operated in the country's north-east but which it is surmised may have forged links with al-Qaeda.

The Economist

The religious tributes are revelatory in proving what bold scholarship had merely surmised that the bulk of the Classical Greek deities existed in name and kind already in Mycenaean days.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surmised" when you want to convey that a conclusion was reached based on incomplete evidence or reasoning, adding a nuance of educated guesswork to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "surmised" when you have concrete evidence to support your claim. Using it in such cases can weaken your argument by suggesting doubt where none exists.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "surmised" is as a verb, specifically the past tense and past participle of 'surmise'. It indicates the act of forming a belief or opinion about something on the basis of limited evidence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surmised" is a versatile verb form used to indicate a conclusion drawn from incomplete information. According to Ludwig AI, the term is valid and effective in written English for expressing informed guesses. It's common in news, encyclopedias, and science contexts, showcasing its applicability across various domains. While grammatically sound and frequently used, remember to use it when you want to convey a level of educated guesswork, and avoid using it when you have concrete evidence to support your claim.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concluded

Implies a more definitive judgment than "surmised", often based on more substantial evidence.

deduced

Suggests a logical inference based on specific information, making it more formal than "surmised".

inferred

Similar to "deduced" but can also mean drawing a conclusion from implicit cues or suggestions.

speculated

Indicates a more tentative and less certain conclusion than "surmised", often involving guesswork.

assumed

Implies taking something for granted without proof, which can be less cautious than "surmised".

presumed

Suggests a belief based on probability or likelihood, but may not be as thoroughly considered as "surmised".

hypothesized

Used in academic or scientific contexts to describe a proposed explanation, making it more formal than "surmised".

theorized

Similar to "hypothesized" but implies a more developed and structured explanation.

suspected

Indicates a belief based on little or no evidence, often with a negative connotation.

guessed

Suggests a conclusion reached by chance or intuition, making it the least formal of the alternatives.

FAQs

How can I use "surmised" in a sentence?

"Surmised" indicates forming an opinion or making a judgment about something without all the facts. For example, "Based on the evidence, the detective "surmised" that the butler was the culprit."

What's the difference between "surmised" and "assumed"?

"Surmised" implies a conclusion based on some evidence, however incomplete, while "assumed" suggests taking something for granted without any proof or investigation.

What are some alternatives to using "surmised"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "concluded", "deduced", or "inferred". Each of these words carries a slightly different nuance in how the conclusion was reached.

Is "surmised" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "surmised" is appropriate for formal writing. It conveys a level of educated guesswork and is often found in academic, journalistic, and professional contexts.