than we presumed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "than we presumed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing a situation or outcome to what was previously thought or expected. Example: "The results of the experiment were more significant than we presumed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science & Research

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Instead of assuming that there are 500,000 elephants in Africa, "there are many fewer than that of each kind, and they're both much more endangered than we presumed," he says.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The SS ligaments as anchoring structures for centro-apical support mesh fixation are thought to be stronger than the ATFP and we presumed that anterior mesh fixation to the SS ligament might be feasible, safe and effective.

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

Table 1 lists the genes in the A and P clusters that had expression ratios greater than 2. We presume that putative targets of en/Hh regulation will be represented in the A subcluster.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

"If, in fact, Latinos are arrested at a higher rate than whites -- which we presume they might be, then the disparity against blacks would be even greater," Garcia said.

Huffington Post

However, we cannot definitively exclude the possibility that we are detecting transcripts from more than one locus because we presume that not all of these sequences are reported in the databases.

BMC Genomics

The ANS of the total of 104 (=86 + 18) SCs with no AT data, however, is less than 89 nT and then we presume that SCs with AT larger than 100 nT did not occur in the period 1868 to 1872.

Earth, Planets and Space

Because the water content of the drought-stressed T2 leaves was only slightly lower under stress than under well-watered conditions, we presume that the expression of these genes is either very sensitive to water loss or, more likely, depends on the availability of soil water.

BMC Plant Biology

In our memory of the civil rights movement, for example, we presume that virtue, rather than desperation, was its guiding light.

Huffington Post

If older students perform better than their peers, as presumed, we should expect that the repetition rate for children born on December 31 will be higher than for the ones born on January 1.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

And it turns out that Michael and Don have a lot more in common than we are meant to presume, though that isn't much of a revelation.

The New York Times

Neanderthals lived much richer lives than ever presumed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "than we presumed" to add a touch of formality and reflect on a situation where initial assumptions were later proven inaccurate. This is particularly useful in academic or scientific writing when discussing research findings that contradict previous hypotheses.

Common error

Avoid using "than we presumed" in very casual or informal conversations. Simpler alternatives such as "than we thought" or "than we expected" are usually more appropriate and natural in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "than we presumed" functions as a comparative element, typically used within a clause to indicate that something is different or to a greater degree than initially assumed. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The examples from Ludwig show its application in diverse fields.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "than we presumed" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a contrast between initial assumptions and a later realization. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is perfectly valid in English. While it's suitable for formal and scientific writing, simpler alternatives might be preferred in casual conversation. The phrase commonly appears in contexts like Science and News & Media, where critical evaluation and revision of prior beliefs are frequent. Be mindful of the level of formality when incorporating "than we presumed" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than we anticipated

This alternative emphasizes the unexpected degree or extent of something, focusing on anticipation.

more than we expected

This alternative uses "expected" which is a more direct and common way to express surprise at an outcome.

contrary to our assumptions

This phrase highlights the contrast between the actual situation and the initial assumptions made.

against our expectations

This alternative focuses on the conflict with pre-existing expectations.

beyond our initial thoughts

This alternative emphasizes that something goes further than our first consideration.

exceeding our original estimate

This alternative is used when referring to quantities or numerical data.

different from what we had foreseen

This expresses a divergence from a predicted or anticipated future scenario.

in contrast to our prior belief

This emphasizes the contrast between a current understanding and a previous conviction.

as opposed to what we understood

This alternative presents a situation that is the opposite of a previous understanding.

unlike what we had supposed

This alternative suggests that the reality does not align with what was originally guessed or believed.

FAQs

How can I use "than we presumed" in a sentence?

You can use "than we presumed" to compare a current understanding with a previous assumption. For instance, "The impact of the policy was greater "than we presumed"."

What's the difference between "than we presumed" and "than we expected"?

"Than we presumed" implies a formal assumption or belief, while "than we expected" suggests a general anticipation. "Presumed" is more suitable for academic or professional contexts.

Is "than we presumed" suitable for informal conversation?

While grammatically correct, "than we presumed" might sound overly formal in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "than we thought" or "than we guessed" might be more fitting.

What are some alternatives to "than we presumed"?

Alternatives include "more than we anticipated", "contrary to our assumptions", or "beyond our initial thoughts", each offering a slightly different nuance.