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Assume vs Presume

Definitions​

  • ‘Assume’ (verb) means ‘take something as true in the absence of evidence’.
  • ‘Presume’ (verb) means ‘take something as true, with some degree of evidence’.

What’s the difference between ‘assume’ and ‘presume’?​

At first sight, both words have the same broad meaning. So it’s easy to think they can be used interchangeably, but beware! That’s not strictly the case.

  • If you take something as true but without any real evidence to support your claim, use ‘assume’.
  • If there is some evidence, reason, or logic behind your claim, use ‘presume’.
  • Another meaning of ‘assume’ is to take on or adopt, as in a shape, characteristic, or duty.
  • In Law, another meaning of ‘presume’ is to accept something as true in the absence of proof that it is false.

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How they’re used​

Example sentences with ‘assume’

  • We assume that x' > 0 and x" < 0.
  • Our projections assume a fertility decline that is below replacement-level fertility.

Example sentences with ‘presume’

  • They presumed consent for organ procurement.
  • These models inherently presume homogeneous uptakes.