What is the difference between "assume" and "presume"?

Question

After a casual glance at the dictionary, it seems that the very common American usage of "assume" to mean "to make a premature and unconfirmed judgment about something or someone's feelings" is actually the wrong application of the word. Shouldn't "presume" be used in these cases?

Could someone clarify? What exactly is the distinction between the two words?

Answer 1

in terms of definition, the two are practically interchangeable. The only subtle difference is in the connotation. The pre- prefix of presume creates it's connotation of some form of external evidence.



Basically, because of the pre-, we look at presume as something like "in this case I assume this WILL happen because it's usually the case" whereas assume lacks that element.



Although you will probably never ever be slighted for using one over the other, presume has a slight air of external evidence. For example you might say "i presume you will be at the party tomorrow" because the person you're speaking to often goes to parties. you would perhaps use assume instead if it was an arbitrary assumption.

Answer 2

THEY ARE LISTED AS SYNONYMS WHICH MEANS THAT THEY MEAN THE SAME THING USUALLY. HERE ARE SOME DEFINITIONS FOR BOTH.





as·sume (-sm)

tr.v. as·sumed, as·sum·ing, as·sumes

1. To take upon oneself: assume responsibility; assume another's debts.

2. To undertake the duties of (an office): assumed the presidency.

3. To take on; adopt: "The god assumes a human form" (John Ruskin).

4. To put on; don: The queen assumed a velvet robe.

5. To affect the appearance or possession of; feign.

6. To take for granted; suppose: assumed that prices would rise. See Synonyms at presume.

7. To take over without justification; seize: assume control.

8. To take up or receive into heaven.



pre·sume (pr-zm)

v. pre·sumed, pre·sum·ing, pre·sumes

v.tr.

1. To take for granted as being true in the absence of proof to the contrary: We presumed she was innocent.

2. To constitute reasonable evidence for assuming; appear to prove: A signed hotel bill presumes occupancy of a room.

3. To venture without authority or permission; dare: He presumed to invite himself to dinner.

v.intr.

1. To act overconfidently; take liberties.

2. To take unwarranted advantage of something; go beyond the proper limits: Don't presume on their hospitality.

3. To take for granted that something is true or factual; suppose: That's the new assistant, I presume.

Answer 3

pre·sume (pr-zm)

v. pre·sumed, pre·sum·ing, pre·sumes

v.tr.

1. To take for granted as being true in the absence of proof to the contrary: We presumed she was innocent.

2. To constitute reasonable evidence for assuming; appear to prove: A signed hotel bill presumes occupancy of a room.

3. To venture without authority or permission; dare: He presumed to invite himself to dinner.

v.intr.

1. To act overconfidently; take liberties.

2. To take unwarranted advantage of something; go beyond the proper limits: Don't presume on their hospitality.

3. To take for granted that something is true or factual; suppose: That's the new assistant, I presume.



as·sume (-sm)

tr.v. as·sumed, as·sum·ing, as·sumes

1. To take upon oneself: assume responsibility; assume another's debts.

2. To undertake the duties of (an office): assumed the presidency.

3. To take on; adopt: "The god assumes a human form" (John Ruskin).

4. To put on; don: The queen assumed a velvet robe.

5. To affect the appearance or possession of; feign.

6. To take for granted; suppose: assumed that prices would rise. See Synonyms at presume.

7. To take over without justification; seize: assume control.

8. To take up or receive into heaven.

Answer 4

Assume has a variety of meanings. It basically means "to take up or on oneself," "to suppose or take for granted," "to pretend," or "to be taken up." The noun form is assumption.



Presume is related to and similar to assume, but it has the sense of doing it beforehand. It means "to dare or venture without prior knowledge," "to assume as believable without direct proof," "to take as a premise, subject to further proof," or "to behave arrogantly or overconfidently." The noun form is presumption.



A presumption is often taken up or assumed to be true until proven otherwise, as presumed innocent. Sometimes it has the sense of behaving in a superior manner, as in to presume upon someone. Presumption often has the sense of blind overconfidence, or going beyond the limits of proper manners. Presumptive means "based on reasonable grounds of evidence" as in presumptive heir. Presumptuous means "unusually confident or bold, often arrogant," or "foolhardy."



To assume suggest taking by one's own will or power for good or evil, right or wrong. If he assumes a position that is not rightfully his, he has arrogated or usurped it. A person can assume office either lawfully or unlawfully. When a debater assumes something, he or she may take it for granted without explaining it. If a person takes to himself character traits or a position he does not posses, he pretends to or affects the character he is assuming. A smooth talker often assumes something to be true that would be challenged if directly stated. When people claim something, they assert that they have a right to it. When they assume it, they take it.



The adjective assumed means "taken for granted" or "fictitious." When used as an adjective, assuming means "arrogant," its opposite, unassuming is more common. Something that is assumable is something that can be taken, as an assumable loan.