would not presume

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would not presume" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing humility or caution about making assumptions or judgments about a situation or person. Example: "I would not presume to know your feelings without hearing them from you directly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

I would not presume to compare my experience to my father's.

The Guardian

But if that outshines the populist power of a Geert Wilders, I myself would not presume to say".

The New York Times

A high-ranking state official said Mr. Cuomo's budget proposal, which he will unveil next month, would not presume any revenue from a possible Emblem deal.

The New York Times

America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election.

The New Yorker

Since we don't know ourselves, we certainly would not presume to judge the decisions or, for that matter, the lifestyles and values of others.

The New York Times

"How is one person's death in the twin towers more important than another person's death here in the hospital?" Mr. Grant would not presume to answer.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

"I wouldn't presume," he said.

The New York Times

I wouldn't presume to lecture Americans on the subject.

The New York Times

I wouldn't presume to dictate anybody's spending priorities.

The New York Times - Food

I wouldn't presume to call it beautiful.

The New York Times

"I wouldn't presume to give anybody else advice," he said on CNN.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would not presume" when you want to express humility or caution about making assumptions, judgments, or giving advice, especially when you lack specific knowledge or expertise.

Common error

Avoid using "would not presume" in very casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I wouldn't assume" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would not presume" functions as a hedge, softening statements and conveying politeness or deference. It is frequently employed to express humility, caution against making assumptions, or to avoid appearing overly assertive, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would not presume" is a useful tool for expressing humility and politeness in your writing and speech. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is deemed grammatically correct and is most frequently found in news and media contexts. Remember to reserve it for situations where you want to avoid making assumptions or appearing overly assertive. Alternatives such as "would not assume" or "would hesitate to" can be used in less formal settings to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would not dare

Expresses a stronger sense of reluctance or fear to do something.

would hesitate to

Indicates a pause or reluctance before taking an action or making a statement.

would not venture to say

Suggests a cautious approach to expressing an opinion or making a claim.

would not take the liberty of

Implies that one does not want to overstep boundaries or be presumptuous.

would refrain from

Conveys a deliberate decision to abstain from a particular action or comment.

would not be so bold as to

Emphasizes a lack of confidence or authority to do something.

would not dream of

Expresses a strong disinclination or impossibility of doing something.

would not have the audacity to

Highlights a lack of courage or impudence to undertake something.

would avoid

This term avoids completely the implication.

would not be inclined to

Indicates a general lack of enthusiasm or willingness to do something.

FAQs

How can I use "would not presume" in a sentence?

You can use "would not presume" to express hesitation or politeness, such as, "I "would not presume" to offer advice without knowing all the details".

What can I say instead of "would not presume"?

You can use alternatives like "would not assume", "would hesitate to", or "would not dare" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "would not presume" or "wouldn't presume"?

"Would not presume" is slightly more formal than "wouldn't presume". The contracted form "wouldn't presume" is perfectly acceptable in many situations but avoid it in strictly formal writing.

What's the difference between "would not presume" and "would not expect"?

"Would not presume" implies a reluctance to make assumptions or offer opinions, while "would not expect" indicates a lack of anticipation for a particular outcome or event. They are not interchangeable.