Assume or presume?

Is someone making an assumption, or a presumption? Learn the difference today!

Below is a transcript of the video.

In today’s video, a question that I got from one of you. 

Assume or presume - which one should I use and when? 

Well the first thing to say is that they are pretty much almost interchangeable. The distinction between them is so fine that many people won’t pick you up on a difference. 

However, as ever, if you are writing for careful readers they may well pick up on the subtle nuances of assume and presume. 

So if you want to be sure you are always using the right word in their view, here’s how to remember the difference. 

THE DIFFERENCE

So both assume and presume mean “to take something as true”. 

Where they differ is in the level of confidence you feel about how true that thing is. 

With assume you’re less confident than you are with presume. You basically have less evidence for your belief that something is true. 

EXAMPLES

So for example

“Let’s assume she’ll make the board meeting and print an extra copy of the agenda.”

In other words, let’s take it for granted that she can come to the meeting. We don’t know for sure whether she can come. We have no evidence either way. 

With presume however you are a little more confident. You have more evidence or proof on which to base your belief that something is more probable. 

So for example

“He’s not attended a board meeting all year, so we can presume he won’t come to this one.”

Now in this case we are a little more certain about the board members' likelihood of attending the meeting. We have evidence, a little bit of proof if you like, that he is unlikely to come along because of his previous track record. 

So as you can see the differences are super subtle, and for many people assume and presume  as I say are interchangeable. 

But if you really want to remember these slight potential differences, here’s how. 

HOW TO REMEMBER THE DIFFERENCE

With presume you have more proof of the probability of the thing being true. Just remember that ‘pr’ sound. Proof, probability, presume.

With assume that proof and probability are less likely to be in effect. 

Remember too the old saying that 

“To assume is to make an ass out of u and me”

In other words, supposing something to be true based on little proof or probability is likely to make someone look stupid. 

So, was that helpful? Let me know in the comments. Let me know too if there are any other pairs of words you find confusing and if you would like me to shed some light on them.

For more writing advice, enrol in my online course, Writing With Confidence, available at the Doris and Bertie Writing School.

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