Can anyone tell me the difference between 'assume' and 'presume'? [also usage rules if any present]

Question

I know they are not synonyms and cannot be subsituted however I'm unable to understand the distinction, please help.

Answer 1

In some cases/senses these two words are interchangeable. In others "presume" is like "assume" with an edge. It's mainly a difference in connotation. For example, to presume can mean to assume with no basis. I put links to several good sources below. I think that the first one is especially good.

Answer 2

The clearest and simplest way to understand the difference between 'assume' and 'presume' is to look at the words contextually. Both words can be used in many contexts, although there is one context in which one can not replace the other, thereby illustrating the need for two separate words.

'Assume' is used in relation to the self; ie "I assume I need to do this in order to achieve that". This is an assumption because the person making the statement has based it on the information they have at hand.

Presume can not be used in this context as it is intended for the purpose of another person ie "I presumed he/she would know". This is a presumption because the person making the statement does not know whether the person being referred to would no. There is an abscence of fact relating to another person.

Although you hear the two words being used in both cases in every day life, grammatically it would be incorrect to do so.

generally the difference lies in one being an assumption about the person making the statement and based on (although not necessarily backed up by) facts, whereas the other as an assumption about the intended thoughts/actions/motives of another person, without a basis of fact. This earns it the name 'presumption'.

I hope that helps.

Answer 3

At the risk of someone going on about how I need to check my English I'll take a shot at this.

Presume and assume can be synonyms from the point of view that they both can mean "to take for granted something is true, to suppose".

However, assume can also mean to take the position of, as in to assume command.

Taking the first definition a bit further, presume can also mean to suppose something based on a related piece of evidence, or otherwise to suppose something is true when there is no evidence to the contrary (presumed innocent until proven guilty).

Answer 4

Good question - i've often wondered that myself. I pulled the two definitions below from encarta.

assume: to accept that something is true without checking or confirming it

presume: to accept that something is almost certain to be correct even though there is no proof of it, on the grounds that it is extremely likely

They look pretty close, the difference appears to hang on the accompanying proof - an assumption has none whatsoever, a presumption seems very likely although this "seeming" is not conclusive.

Answer 5

assume is to accept something as true in the present tense.
To presume is almost the same thing but has the connotation of in the future. eg 'I assume that the train on platform 4 is for London, whereas i presume that the next train is for Swindon.'
Hope this helps

Answer 6

Assume:
1 a : to take up or in : RECEIVE b : to take into partnership, employment, or use
2 a : to take to or upon oneself : UNDERTAKE b : PUT ON, DON c : to place oneself in
3 : SEIZE, USURP
4 : to pretend to have or be : FEIGN
5 : to take as granted or true : SUPPOSE
6 : to take over (the debts of another) as one's own

Presume:
1 : to undertake without leave or clear justification : DARE
2 : to expect or assume especially with confidence
3 : to suppose to be true without proof
4 : to take for granted : IMPLY
intransitive verb
1 : to act or proceed presumptuously or on a presumption
2 : to go beyond what is right or proper

Answer 7

they are very very similar.

Assume:

To take upon oneself: assume responsibility; assume another's debts.
To undertake the duties of (an office): assumed the presidency.
To take on; adopt: “The god assumes a human form” (John Ruskin).
To put on; don: The queen assumed a velvet robe.
To affect the appearance or possession of; feign.
To take for granted; suppose: assumed that prices would rise. See Synonyms at presume.
To take over without justification; seize: assume control.
To take up or receive into heaven.

presume:

To take for granted as being true in the absence of proof to the contrary: We presumed she was innocent.
To constitute reasonable evidence for assuming; appear to prove: A signed hotel bill presumes occupancy of a room.
To venture without authority or permission; dare: He presumed to invite himself to dinner.

Answer 8

The dictionary describes both words as synonyms. Hpwever, the context implied by you is defined as follows:
Assume Suppose
Presume To take for granted in absence of contrary evidence

Answer 9

If you assume, you think you MAY be right--but you also, assume duties, which is to take over.
what these people are saying is that some person said that assume makes an *** out of u and me(hence the spelling of assume) and that you don't ever assume anything , you get your facts straight.

Presume is to wonder if you are right

Answer 10

Don't assume because you make an *** out of U and ME.
And presume you press U against ME


*edit* I pretty much got beat to that one.