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 captain looked around at his teammates and said, “I assume you’re all intent on winning the match today.”
CORRECT: The captain looked around at his teammates and said, “I presume you’re all intent on winning the match today.”
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