Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse people. I have found the following to be among them:
ASSUME / PRESUME
These two verbs mean almost the same thing with a subtle difference. To assume is to believe with no evidence or specific knowledge that would indicate that belief to be true while to presume is to believe with no proof but with some evidence or knowledge to indicate that belief to be correct.
INCORRECT: I presume Larry will come to the meeting today although he hasn’t said so and hasn’t attended a single meeting yet.
CORRECT: I assume Larry will come to the meeting today although he hasn’t said so and hasn’t attended a single meeting yet.
INCORRECT: The judge looked across the courtroom at the defense attorney and said, “I assume your case is ready to present to the court at this time.”
CORRECT: The judge looked across the courtroom at the defense attorney and said, “I presume your case is ready to present to the court at this time.”
© 2018 Ann Henry. All Rights Reserved.