we presume

USAGE SUMMARY

"we presume" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you anticipate that something is true due to circumstantial evidence, but you are not certain. For example, "We presume that they are still in town, but we haven't heard from them yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

(Basildon Bond, we presume).

Independent

Brooks Brothers, we presume.

The New Yorker

Mr. Robinson's, we presume.

The New York Times

Within reason, we presume.

The Guardian - Travel

Highly verbal thieves, we presume.

The New York Times

(No pun intended, we presume).

The Guardian - Sport

By organism, we presume they mean you.

The Guardian - Travel

"We presume nothing now," said Ms. Press.

The New York Times

Like choking on the title run-in, then, we presume.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Potter dictated this letter to us, we presume.

The New Yorker

We presume he was not referring to his own.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we presume" when you have some basis for your assumption, but cannot be completely certain. It adds a layer of cautiousness to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "we presume" when you have concrete evidence. It's best used when there is some uncertainty or a degree of speculation involved. If the fact is known, state it directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we presume" functions as a parenthetical verb phrase used to express an assumption or inference. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in English. It adds a cautious tone, acknowledging that the speaker is not entirely certain.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we presume" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to introduce an assumption or inference based on available evidence, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It’s commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure you have a reasonable basis for your assumption and avoid using it when concrete evidence is available. Remember that alternatives like "we assume" or "we infer" can offer subtle differences in meaning depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we assume

A more direct synonym, suggesting a belief without concrete proof.

we gather

Indicates an understanding based on available information, implying a process of collecting evidence.

we infer

Suggests a logical deduction from evidence, emphasizing the reasoning process.

we understand

Indicates a comprehension or realization, possibly with a hint of implied agreement.

we surmise

Highlights a conjecture or educated guess, implying uncertainty.

we expect

Expresses an anticipation or likelihood, based on past experiences or general knowledge.

we believe

Conveys a personal conviction or opinion, possibly without substantial evidence.

we deduce

Implies a conclusion reached through logical reasoning, suggesting a more formal process.

it is our understanding

A more formal way of expressing comprehension, often used in professional settings.

one might assume

Offers a more detached perspective, suggesting a common or reasonable assumption.

FAQs

How to use "we presume" in a sentence?

Use "we presume" when you want to suggest something is likely true based on available information but without definitive proof. For instance, "we presume they are late due to the traffic conditions".

What can I say instead of "we presume"?

You can use alternatives like "we assume", "we infer", or "we gather" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "we presume" or "we assume"?

"We presume" and "we assume" are both correct but carry slightly different connotations. "We presume" suggests a reasoned inference based on some evidence, while "we assume" implies a belief without necessarily having concrete evidence.

What's the difference between "we presume" and "we suppose"?

"We presume" suggests a belief based on some evidence or probability, while "we suppose" often indicates a more tentative or speculative idea, with less supporting evidence. For example, "we suppose it might rain later", versus "we presume it will rain based on the forecast".