What's the difference between "presume" and "assume"?

Question

I've never understood it! Please provide a real-world example if possible.

Answer 1

assume is to jump to a conclusion
presume is to undertake without premission.

Answer 2

This is a good question. I would suggest checking out the dictionary sites for really good examples to supplement the ones you get one here.
I use the word assume more than presume. I hate to even say it because one of my teachers said that if you break up of the word it means that you make an as out of U and me.--(assume)-- Funny, huh. Maybe you and everyone has heard that. I guess that would be an assumption. ? lol
I think that presume sounds professional. I don't know the difference completely. So now I am curious and will look the definitions up. I bet they are real similar.

presume (BELIEVE) Show phonetics
verb [T]
to believe something to be true because it is very likely, although you are not certain:
[+ (that)] I presume (that) they're not coming, since they haven't replied to the invitation.
[+ speech] You are Dr Smith, I presume?
"Are we walking to the hotel?" "I presume not/so."
[+ object + adjective] The boat's captain is missing, presumed dead (= it is believed that he is dead).
In British law, you are presumed innocent until you are proved guilty.
[+ object + to infinitive] The universe is presumed to contain many other planets with some form of life.

Also:

presume (BE RUDE) Show phonetics
verb [I]
to do something although you know that you do not have a right to do it:
[+ to infinitive] I wouldn't presume to tell you how to do your job, but shouldn't this piece go there?
I don't wish to presume (= make a suggestion although I have no right to), but don't you think you should apologize to her?
He presumes on (= takes unfair advantage of) her good nature.

Ok there was more. But I will go onto Assume.

assume (ACCEPT) Show phonetics
verb [T]
to accept something to be true without question or proof:
[+ (that)] I assumed (that) you knew each other because you went to the same school.
Let's assume (that) they're coming and make plans on that basis.
[+ to infinitive] We can't assume the suspects to be guilty simply because they've decided to remain silent.
We mustn't assume the suspects' guilt.

assuming (that) conjunction
accepting as true without question or proof:
Even assuming that smokers do see the health warnings, I doubt they'll take any notice.

assumption Show phonetics
noun [C]
something that you accept as true without question or proof:
People tend to make assumptions about you when you have a disability.
These calculations are based on the assumption that prices will continue to rise.

assume (PRETEND) Show phonetics
verb [T]
to pretend to have a different name or be someone you are not, or to express a feeling falsely:
Moving to a different town, he assumed a false name.
During the investigation, two detectives assumed the identities of antiques dealers.
He assumed a look of indifference but I knew how he felt.

assume (TAKE CONTROL) Show phonetics
verb [T]
to take or claim responsibility or control, sometimes without the right to do so, or to begin to possess a characteristic:
The new President assumes office at midnight tonight.
The terrorists assumed control of the plane and forced it to land in the desert.
The issue has assumed considerable political proportions (= has become a big political problem).

assumption Show phonetics
noun [U]
The revolutionaries' assumption of power took the army by surprise.

Answer 3

Technically, to "presume" you are making assumption beforehand [hence the prefix "pre-"]. Let's say, you give me a situation that requires me to think what I would/would not do, and that I've had no prior experience in it...........I would give an assumption before I know all the facts.....

To assume, to make the supposition of events of what I would do/would not do. The difference here is that I may have the experience to make a judgement. The difference is, I know the situation can have many different outcomes, so I take the most practical route.........again assuming the facts and using guided discretion to navagate through what I don't know"

One word to remember: when you "A S S U M E"; you can make an *** out of U and ME", good luck!

Answer 4

In many contexts when the meaning is 'to suppose', the two words are interchangeable: e.g. I assume/presume you are coming to the party. But, as the Pocket Fowler's Modern English Usage (Ed. Robert Allen. Oxford University Press, 1999) points out, 'Fowler (1926) maintained that there is a stronger element of postulation or hypothesis in assume and of a belief held on the basis of external evidence in presume.' The Oxford English Dictionary definitions are very similar. Assume is 'to take for granted as the basis of argument or action'; presume is 'to take for granted, to presuppose, to count upon'. There is a faint suggestion of presumptuousness about presume.

Answer 5

Assume - accept as true without proof. So, I assume my postcards have been delivered - I have no proof until my Nana phones to tell me.

Presume - suppose that something is the case on the basis of probability. So, I presume my postcards will get lost in the post, because they do about 75% of the time.

The two are pretty much interchangeable though, especially in terms of their common usage.

Thanks, I really enjoyed researching that! God, that sounds sad...

Answer 6

Assume is to take it on oneself, presume is a similar word which means to do it beforehand. A presumption is often taken up or assumed to be true until proven otherwise, as presumed innocent.

Answer 7

assume means 'suppose to be the case, without proof; take for granted'; presume means 'suppose that something is the case on the basis of probability; take for granted that something exists or is the case'

You presume that someone with a ring on their left ring finger is married. You have some evidence, but no proof.

You assume that someone knows how to drive. Even though you never saw their license or saw their car, you just don't know any adults who can't drive. No proof or evidence... just assumption.

Answer 8

They're pretty much the same- they mean suppose. The only difference is if you presume you actually believe something is true till someone proves you wrong. If you assume you still think something is the case, but are aware you might be wrong. you base a theory on something you assume is true- you might be wrong but it might not matter.

Answer 9

They are quite similar, and can be used in the same way but each word also has a separate correct way to use it from the other (they are used as different parts of a sentence)...

Assume--
You can say:
"Don't assume YOU know anything about me."
OR
"You need to assume responsibility for those actions you have taken."


Presume--
You can say:
"I wish you had not presumed to sign my name on that contract--I hadn't wanted anything to do with it!"
OR
"Please do not presume TO know anything about me."

Hope this helped...and if I haven't really made myself clear, check out www.dictionary.com. God bless!

Answer 10

They are similar in meaning, but 'presume' has the impliation of greater guesswork than 'assume'. So if you assume something, it is likely to be a safer bet than if you are presuming it.

Answer 11

super question madhavi:) you recognize however those words sound synonimous yet nevertheless there lies a "deep" distinction !! Happiness could be got here across of issues which won't additionally be effective to our religious or psychological ingredient like we would bypass out & have our admired dish & outfits and so on., we could experience happy. yet delight comes from a sort of achievent, if we get reliable grades in learn we could get a favorable feeling that asserts "difficult be conscious paid off" now thats greater effective isn't it ;p[ Now peace.... i think of it relies upon on what attitude we undertake towads the "activities" we do for "happiness" or the two "delight", peace actual exist in our self, it merely should be got here across by way people. a individual of lack of understanding might experience peace on the same time as a tricky worker could be strresed. it is even oposite to that . So peace needs to got here across by way people.