we can presume

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we can presume" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is assumed to be true based on available evidence or reasoning. Example: "Given the circumstances, we can presume that the meeting will be rescheduled for next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I think we can presume that Labour MPs are not susceptible to press spin.

The Guardian

Do not think we can presume to solve your problems for you.

The New York Times

But I think we can presume that this is not enforceable.

The New York Times

This is how the Killing Season trailer ends, so we can presume this is how Killing Season also ends.

The Guardian - Film

We can presume it was in the millions, as PwC's UK chairman, Ian Powell, took home £3.7m this year.

The Guardian - Business

"No," Holt responded, noting that we can "presume these were international intercepts that we should be doing".

The Guardian

If it senses a problem, Electrolux vows, cunning little Washy -- if we can presume a first-name relationship -- will not hesitate to tell you.

The New York Times

Here, for example, we find the young Picasso, Mondrian, Kupka and Kandinsky, who, had they stopped painting in 1900, we can presume would be ignored today.

The New York Times - Arts

"We have yet to have the results of the post-mortem but we can presume he suffered a heart attack," Teddy Grimthorpe Khalid Abdullah's racing manager, said yesterday.

The Guardian - Sport

We can presume the individuals within the institution are innocent; the economy of influence that they have allowed to evolve is not.

University of California, Berkeley

Nothing makes a horse happier (if we can presume to get inside a horse's head here) than a little grazing in open pasture.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Balance "we can presume" with qualifying language (e.g., "it is likely", "probably") to acknowledge the possibility of error.

Common error

Avoid using "we can presume" when the evidence is weak or contradictory. Instead, acknowledge the uncertainty and present your assumption as a possibility rather than a certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we can presume" functions as a modal expression, indicating a degree of certainty or likelihood based on available information. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and widely used in written English. Examples show its use in drawing conclusions from observed trends or known facts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we can presume" is a versatile tool for expressing reasoned assumptions in writing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. As demonstrated through numerous examples, it is most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, indicating its utility in both objective reporting and scholarly analysis. When using "we can presume", it's crucial to have a reasonable basis for your assumption and to avoid overstating the strength of your evidence. Consider alternatives like "we can assume" or "it is likely that" to fine-tune the level of certainty you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we can assume

Substitutes "presume" with "assume", indicating a slightly weaker level of confidence.

we can infer

Replaces "presume" with "infer", suggesting a conclusion reached through reasoning from evidence.

we can deduce

Uses "deduce" instead of "presume", implying a more logical and certain conclusion.

we can gather

Replaces "presume" with "gather", indicating an accumulation of evidence leading to a conclusion.

it is reasonable to assume

Adds "it is reasonable to", making the assumption more explicit and justifiable.

it is logical to conclude

Emphasizes the logical basis for the conclusion, replacing "we can presume" with a more formal structure.

we might suppose

Uses "suppose" to convey a more tentative or speculative assumption.

we could anticipate

Replaces "presume" with "anticipate", suggesting an expectation based on prior knowledge.

we might expect

Employs "expect" to indicate a belief that something is likely to happen.

it seems likely that

Introduces uncertainty with "seems likely", expressing a probability rather than a firm presumption.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "we can presume" in writing?

Use "we can presume" when you want to suggest something is likely true based on the available information, even without absolute proof. It implies a degree of confidence without stating it as a definite fact.

What's the difference between "we can presume" and "we can assume"?

While similar, "we can presume" often suggests a stronger basis in evidence or reasoning than "we can assume". Presuming implies a reasoned inference, while assuming can be more of a starting point.

Are there situations where I should avoid using "we can presume"?

Yes, avoid "we can presume" if the evidence is very weak or if alternative explanations are equally plausible. Also, refrain from using it in contexts that require absolute certainty or rigorous proof.

What are some alternatives to "we can presume" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "it is reasonable to assume", "it is likely that", or "we might expect" to express varying degrees of certainty.