Assume vs. Presume How to Choose the Right Word

The words assume and presume are both verbs which come from the Latin verb sumere, which means to take. In common use, the two words are often used as synonyms meaning suppose. Yet assume and presume are not exact synonyms, and they are used in different contexts. Assume refers to the act of laying claim to something or a statement that is taken for granted. Presume refers to a belief that something is true even though it hasnt been proven, an attitude or belief thats been determined by probability, or the overstepping of proper bounds. How to Use Assume Assume is a verb with two separate but related meanings. First, assume means to suppose that something is true, despite having no proof, or to take something for granted, as in I assume you will cook dinner this evening. This is by far the most common use of the word. A second, less-common meaning is to take on, shoulder, or accept responsibility or an honor of some sort, as in She assumed leadership and led the group to success. Assumption, the noun form of assume, carries the same meanings, as in His assumption was incorrect, or Her assumption of power was difficult to accept. Assume also has several other less-common meanings: (1) to take control, (2) to pretend, or (3) to don or put on an article of clothing. All of these are more literary uses, but they do appear in both historical and contemporary literature. How to Use Presume Presume is listed in some dictionaries as a synonym of assume, and, as such, is often substituted for assume. Presume, however, has a subtly different meaning. Unlike an assumption, which may have no particular reason behind it, a presumption is based on some level of proof, as in I presumed, based on our past experience, that the dinner would be excellent. Presume also has a very different meaning: It is synonymous with the word dare and means to take an action that is offensive and, usually, not allowed, as in You should never presume to address the queen by her first name! This use of the word can also be described as taking a presumptuous action. Examples Assume and presume often are used interchangeably. For example, both of these sentences are correct: I assume I can get my money back if I cant attend the event.I presume I can get my money back if I cant attend the event. The following are uses of assume that are not synonymous with presume: Marianne assumed the position of CEO of Big Corporation, Inc.Eileen assumed that she would inherit all her parents belongings.Mrs. Jones assumed her favorite outfit: a black dress and mink stole.Anthony assumed the appearance of a monk, making it harder for the police to track him. These uses of presume are not synonymous with assume; in the first sentence, the context shows that Jacob had a good reason for his presumption, and in the second, the word is used as a synonym for dare: Jacob presumes that he will become president of the company, based on his series of quick promotions.Because of his position as the church warden, Roger presumed to castigate the priest for his boring homily. How to Remember the Difference Its important to recall that, in some cases, the two words are really synonymous. When they are not synonymous, its helpful to remember that assumptions are not based on proof, whereas presumptions are based on proof. Unusual uses of the words can be remembered in this way: When presume is used to mean dare, try substituting the word dare for presume. If the meaning of the sentence is the same, use the word presume.When someone is taking or putting on something, the word assume is correct.When someone is overstepping his or her bounds, the word presume is correct. Sources Assume or Presume? Oxford Dictionaries | English, Oxford Dictionaries.Presume vs. Assume. Grammarly Blog, 7 Apr. 2017.