Assume vs. Suppose — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 1, 2023
Assume is taking something for granted without proof, whereas suppose is considering something hypothetically or theoretically.
Difference Between Assume and Suppose
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
To assume is to accept something as true without question or proof. Suppose involves considering or theorizing without the expectation of the supposition being necessarily true.
Assumptions are often used as the starting point for further reasoning or action. Suppositions, however, are usually more tentative and often used to explore possibilities.
An assumption can carry a connotation of certainty and is often acted upon as if it were true. To suppose something does not imply this level of conviction; it’s more about pondering a scenario.
In conversation, when one assumes, they take for granted that their belief is correct. In contrast, to suppose something means to speculate about what might be true or possible.
Assumptions are often unconscious beliefs influencing perceptions and behaviors. Supposing is a more conscious act of hypothesizing that allows for doubt and questioning.
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Comparison Chart
Basis
Often no evidence
Hypothetical consideration
Certainty
Implies a degree of certainty
Implies less certainty, more doubt
Usage
Can imply presumption
Often used for suggesting scenarios
Connotation
Can be seen as closed-minded
Seen as open-minded or speculative
Action
Can lead to immediate action
Generally used for theoretical discussion
Compare with Definitions
Assume
To take on a role
She assumed the position of CEO last month.
Suppose
To consider hypothetically
Suppose we won the lottery; what would we do?
Assume
To take for granted
The planner assumed good weather for the event.
Suppose
To imagine or conjecture
Suppose there is life on other planets.
Assume
To adopt an idea
The scientist assumed a constant rate of decay in the experiment.
Suppose
To think or ponder
I suppose he might be late due to the traffic.
Assume
To accept without proof
He assumed responsibility for the error without question.
Suppose
Think or assume that something is true or probable but lack proof or certain knowledge
I suppose I got there about noon
He supposed the girl to be about twelve
Assume
To believe something to be true
I assume you're going to the party tonight.
Suppose
Be required to do something because of the position one is in or an agreement one has made
I'm supposed to be meeting someone at the airport
Assume
To take for granted; suppose
The study assumes that prices will rise.
Suppose
To assume to be true or real for the sake of argument or explanation
Suppose we win the lottery.
Assume
To take upon oneself (a duty or obligation)
Assume responsibility.
Assume another's debts.
Suppose
To believe, especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
Scientists supposed that large dinosaurs lived in swamps.
Assume
To undertake the duties of (an office)
Assumed the presidency.
Suppose
To consider to be probable or likely
I suppose it will rain.
Assume
To take on (an appearance, role, or form, for example); adopt
"The god assumes a human form" (John Ruskin).
Suppose
To imply as an antecedent condition; presuppose
"Patience must suppose pain" (Samuel Johnson).
Assume
To pretend to have; feign
Assume an air of authority.
Suppose
To consider as a suggestion
Suppose we dine together.
Assume
To take over without justification; seize
Assume control.
Suppose
To imagine; conjecture.
Assume
To clothe oneself in; don
The queen assumed a velvet robe.
Suppose
(transitive) To take for granted; to conclude, with less than absolute supporting data; to believe.
I suppose we all agree that this is the best solution.
Assume
To take up or receive into heaven.
Suppose
(transitive) To theorize or hypothesize.
Suppose that A implies B and B implies C. Then A implies C.
Assume
To make a supposition; suppose or believe
"Is Kay's husband coming to dinner too?" "I assume so.".
Suppose
(transitive) To imagine; to believe; to receive as true.
Assume
To authenticate by means of belief; to surmise; to suppose to be true, especially without proof
We assume that, as her parents were dentists, she knows quite a bit about dentistry.
Suppose
To reckon to be, to account or esteem as.
Assume
To take on a position, duty or form
Mr. Jones will assume the position of a lifeguard until a proper replacement is found.
Suppose
(transitive) To require to exist or to be true; to imply by the laws of thought or of nature.
Purpose supposes foresight.
Assume
To adopt a feigned quality or manner; to claim without right; to arrogate
He assumed an air of indifference
Suppose
(transitive) To put by fraud in the place of another.
Assume
To receive, adopt (a person)
Suppose
To represent to one's self, or state to another, not as true or real, but as if so, and with a view to some consequence or application which the reality would involve or admit of; to imagine or admit to exist, for the sake of argument or illustration; to assume to be true; as, let us suppose the earth to be the center of the system, what would be the result?
Suppose they take offence without a cause.
When we have as great assurance that a thing is, as we could possibly, supposing it were, we ought not to make any doubt of its existence.
Assume
To adopt (an idea or cause)
Suppose
To imagine; to believe; to receive as true.
How easy is a bush supposed a bear!
Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men, the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead.
Assume
To take to or upon one's self; to take formally and demonstratively; sometimes, to appropriate or take unjustly.
Trembling they stand while Jove assumes the throne.
The god assumed his native form again.
Suppose
To require to exist or to be true; to imply by the laws of thought or of nature; as, purpose supposes foresight.
One falsehood always supposes another, and renders all you can say suspected.
Assume
To take for granted, or without proof; to suppose as a fact; to suppose or take arbitrarily or tentatively.
The consequences of assumed principles.
Suppose
To put by fraud in the place of another.
Assume
To pretend to possess; to take in appearance.
Ambition assuming the mask of religion.
Assume a virtue, if you have it not.
Suppose
To make supposition; to think; to be of opinion.
Assume
To receive or adopt.
The sixth was a young knight of lesser renown and lower rank, assumed into that honorable company.
Suppose
Supposition.
Assume
To be arrogant or pretentious; to claim more than is due.
Suppose
Express a supposition;
Let us say that he did not tell the truth
Let's say you had a lot of money--what would you do?
Assume
To undertake, as by a promise.
Suppose
Expect, believe, or suppose;
I imagine she earned a lot of money with her new novel
I thought to find her in a bad state
He didn't think to find her in the kitchen
I guess she is angry at me for standing her up
Assume
Take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof;
I assume his train was late
Suppose
To believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds;
Scientists supposed that large dinosaurs lived in swamps
Assume
Take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities;
When will the new President assume office?
Suppose
Take for granted or as a given; suppose beforehand;
I presuppose that you have done your work
Assume
Take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect;
His voice took on a sad tone
The story took a new turn
He adopted an air of superiority
She assumed strange manners
The gods assume human or animal form in these fables
Suppose
Require as a necessary antecedent or precondition;
This step presupposes two prior ones
Assume
Take on as one's own the expenses or debts of another person;
I'll accept the charges
She agreed to bear the responsibility
Suppose
To speculate
Let's suppose for a moment that the theory is correct.
Assume
Occupy or take on;
He assumes the lotus position
She took her seat on the stage
We took our seats in the orchestra
She took up her position behind the tree
Strike a pose
Suppose
To believe tentatively
I suppose she'll agree to the terms.
Assume
Seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession;
He assumed to himself the right to fill all positions in the town
He usurped my rights
She seized control of the throne after her husband died
Assume
Make a pretence of;
She assumed indifference, even though she was seething with anger
He feigned sleep
Assume
Christianity, obsolete; take up someone's soul into heaven;
This is the day when May was assumed into heaven
Assume
Put clothing on one's body;
What should I wear today?
He put on his best suit for the wedding
The princess donned a long blue dress
The queen assumed the stately robes
He got into his jeans
Common Curiosities
Are assumptions always incorrect?
Not always; they can be true but are accepted without proof.
Is it okay to assume in scientific research?
Scientists try to avoid assumptions without evidence, preferring hypotheses.
How does 'suppose' function in a sentence?
It usually introduces a condition or hypothetical situation.
Why is it important to suppose in science?
Supposing allows scientists to create hypotheses that can then be tested.
Can 'assume' imply bias?
Yes, assuming can often imply holding a belief without considering other possibilities.
Can I use 'suppose' to make a strong argument?
'Suppose' typically introduces hypotheticals, which might not be strong for an argument that requires evidence.
Is 'supposing' a form of guessing?
It can be, but it's more about considering possibilities than wild guessing.
What does it mean to assume in a conversation?
It means to take something for granted as true without needing evidence.
Can I use 'assume' when planning?
It's better to use evidence in planning, though people often make planning assumptions.
Can one assume and suppose at the same time?
Yes, one can hold an assumption while also supposing other scenarios for consideration.
How do I avoid making assumptions?
Seek evidence and ask questions before accepting beliefs.
Do 'assume' and 'suppose' mean the same thing?
No, they have different connotations and uses in context.
Does 'suppose' imply doubt?
It can imply doubt or uncertainty about the scenario being considered.
Are 'assumptions' necessary for decision-making?
Some level of assumption is often necessary but should be minimized.
Can 'suppose' be used in formal writing?
Yes, especially when exploring theoretical situations or conditions.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
