Definitions
Let’s start off by looking at the definitions of the words:

Presume

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.
4. To act overconfidently; take liberties. Jason presumed he was welcome at the party even though he didn't have an invitation.
5. To take unwarranted advantage of something; go beyond the proper limits: Don't presume on their hospitality.
6. To take for granted that something is true or factual; suppose: That's the new assistant, I presume.

1. To take upon oneself: assume responsibility: Mrs. Smith will assume her son's debts.
2. To undertake the duties of (an office): assumed the presidency: Lyndon Johnson assumed the presidency after John F. Kennedy's assassination.
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: The prince assumed the shape of a frog.
6. To take for granted; suppose: James assumed gas prices would rise.
7. To take over without justification; seize: assume control: Mao assumed the leadership of the party.
   

Distinction
From the definitions above, you might notice that many of the various definitions for presume connote a sense of audacity and daring, of acting with confidence despite the lack of an actual or proven basis in fact. Assume often connotes the "taking on" of a responsibility or burden. In comparing the definitions for presume and assume, one can see where confusion may arise: see the similarities between definitions 1 and 6 for presume and definition 6 for assume. Though the denotations are the same, the connotations of the words are vastly different, and it is this connotation that can drastically change the meaning of a sentence.

Acknowledgements
Definitions, including some of the examples for this week's Grammatically Correct, are from dictionary.com.

We'd also like to thank the IT department at UHV for suggesting the topic for this week's tip. If you'd like to suggest a topic for Grammatically Correct, please visit our Suggestion Form.

Visit Writer’s Web at http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/conford.html.

1. Hank (presumes/ assumes) he’s the smartest one at the conference.

2. Scott (presumed/ assumed) the position of art director.

3. The jury in the case was asked to (presume/ assume) the defendant’s innocence.

4. Sarah will (presume/ assume) the doctor’s premise for the sake of argument.

5. Helen is so loving; you shouldn’t (presume/ assume) on her affection.

Answers

1. Hank presumes he’s the smartest one at the conference. or Hank assumes he's the smartest one at the conference. Either answer will work, but each word creates a different attitude for Hank. If he presumes, we think he's overconfident or even arrogant. If he assumes, we ascribe a more humble attitude to him.

2. Scott assumed the position of art director.

3. The jury in the case was asked to presume the defendant’s innocence.

4. Sarah will assume the doctor’s premise for the sake of argument.

5. Helen is so loving; you shouldn’t presume on her affection.

Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas.

Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu.

Subscribe/Unsubscribe/View Archive