Comments on: Is There a Difference Between “Assume” and “Presume”?

By: Simon Shiffor

Simon Shiffor — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 05:29:55 +0000

Thank you Trevor Roberts for the most concise answer. As an old timer, it is sad to see the dumbing-down-of-America becoming a reality.
As I read through many forums such as this, seeing the English language and its proper grammar being neglected is a sure sign of the deterioration of our civilization. While learning English in elementary school, we were taught the root of the word. That way, there was less chance of presuming what the word meant.
One thought missing is the use of assume to literally take a position. For example, before getting a “swat” for misbehaving (such punishment is a crime today) we were told to “assume the position” meaning to grab your ankles.

By: Trevor Roberts

Trevor Roberts — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 07:23:34 +0000

Everyone should have a look at the derivation of the words, rather than inventing new meanings for them. Assume means to take up (as in adopt) where as presume means to take in advance and means to anticipate.

I take it [up] that you intend to arrest me. I assume that you intend to arrest me.

I take it ahead of it happening [anticipate] that you intend to arrest me. I presume that you intend to arrest me.

All other meanings should flow from the base meaning and should not deviate [too far] from the original sense.

It’s no wonder that English is so complex and confusing – we are always trying to change or expand meanings of words. As a writer, especially one who would like to think that his words will still be read with the same meaning in 500 years, I am an advocate of leaving well enough alone when it comes to language. By all means invent new words, but leave the original ones as they were.

By: Cliff Douglas

Cliff Douglas — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:32:44 +0000

Presume has an important use in the sense of “to go beyond what is proper, to undertake without permission or to dare”. Ex. I would not presume to come into your house and tell your children what to do.

By: Chandrashekara

Chandrashekara — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:24:13 +0000

In scientific literature, more precisely in developmental biology, it is common to find statements like …” after the second division the daughter cells assume spherical shape”

By: Emma

Emma — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 06:14:41 +0000

My dictionary agrees with David.

Also, I agree with Gab on the issue of using capital letters to emphasize a word. I prefer italics when possible, but in cases where it’s not, I use capitals.