Presume or Assume? Ironic or Sarcastic?

Question

I've challenged some intelligent people in my workplace to clarify, in which context, each of the above 2 examples would be used and I didn't get a satisfactory answer, unless they both can be used in the same context.
To summarise, the question I'm asking is:
Does 'presume' and 'assume' mean the same or is 1 better used that the other depending on the full sentence? The same applies to 'Ironic' and 'Sarcastic'

Thanks!

Answer 1

Presume means to make a deduction before considering the evidence, assume is a more general word for making a deduction. So if you presume something, you also assume it. But if you assume something, you don't necessarily presume it.



Irony is the figurative use of language so that the intended meaning is not the same as the actual meaning. It can be used for emphasis or humour. Sarcasm is a form of destructive criticism which may or may not employ irony.

Answer 2

The first two are almost exchangeable, but there is a slight difference in the context that would be more appropriate.

To assume, means to 'suppose to be the case, without any proof'

To presume, means to 'suppose that something is the case on the basis of probability'



Ironic and sarcastic are two very different words; ironic meaning something that is coincidental or unexpected, and sarcastic describing the way someone would use an extremely ironic or contradictory statement to create a cutting - even hurtful - remark.

Answer 3

Assume is more of a passive verb, i.e.: "I assume you're coming" would be based on an understanding of a situation. Presume is its active counterpart, where one would act on that understanding, i.e. "I presume that is the case". Another way of looking at this would be that there is an adjective for presume, presumptious, whereas there isn't one for assume:

assume suppose to be the case, without proof.

presume suppose that something is the case on the basis of probability; take for granted that something exists or is the case.



Ironic I think is more passive and less aggressive than sarcastic. An ironic comment can reflect more of a humorous understanding of a situation, whereas to be sarcastic would be to openly belittle it:

• adjective 1 using or characterized by irony. 2 happening in the opposite way to what is expected.

• adjective marked by or given to using irony in order to mock or convey contempt.

Answer 4

i actually thought 'presume' and 'assume' have different meanings. ditto for 'ironic' and 'sarcastic'. mibbe ahm wrong, being an EASL myself?



PRESUME may imply that whatever is taken for granted is entitled to belief until disproved; 'everyone charged with a penal offense has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty'



ASSUME deliberate acceptance of something not proved or demonstrated or susceptible of being proved or demonstrated



when something is sarcastic then it usually is 'A cutting, often ironic remark intended to wound.' whereas 'ironic' suggests 'The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning.' i have always found the ironic/sarcastic bit really confusing as in modern day english you do not hear the word 'irony' as much as 'sarcasm' (are you being sarcastic) often in the wrong context (ie without the person actually being 'sarcastic', more like 'ironic')

Answer 5

You could say that sarcasm is a species of verbal irony, because a sarcastic person replies to a situation with barbed intent, and they purposefully do not say what you're expecting them to say.



Irony is when the opposite of what is said, intended or expected manifests. Sarcasm is always verbal---irony is not always verbal, but it can be. Also, verbal irony does not have to have barbed intent; sarcasm is always getting a bit of a dig in.



Assume and presume are harder---



To presume carries more of a negative connotation, methinks, than assume. To assume is to take possession, to presume is to take possession without right (or with liberty).



Looking at what appears to be a woman, one would naturally assume (with honest intentions) she is a woman, though you would not know for certain unless you asked her, etc. But to assume she is a heterosexual woman would be presumptuous, because you would have no reason to jump to that conclusion (you would be taking liberty).

Answer 6

Assume is to take upon yourself (as if actually taking something in). Presume is to take for granted or expect that something is yours or true. They are many times used interchangably as are many words when there is actually a difference.



Ironic is something that occurs but is not necessarily the outcome you would expect. Sarcastic is a something said with a bitter tone. Irony can be seen as sarcasm but that would have to imply that there is fore thought or planning in the outcome.

Answer 7

presume:

to presume is to conclude or reach a decision without the backing / auhority / permission from another



assume:

to assume is to conclude or reach a decision taking for granted that you do have the backing / authority / permission from another



sarcasm:

sarcasm refers to bitter undertones or cutting quality



ironic:

ironic is similar to sarcasm in the sense that it does refer to bitter undertones or cutting quality - but with humour!



hope this makes sense.

Answer 8

i presume...indicates i'm jumping ahead to the conclusion, often without all the facts



i assume...would indicate prior experience w/ situation...more knowledge than presumption



ironic...fate, murphy's law, out of one's hands type of conclusion; alanis morissette



sarcastic... disorder for the sake of it, intentional misunderstanding; pryva d. (plug!)