Assume vs. Presume

**Timbuk2**

I have looked the two words, assume and presume, up in the dictionary to try and decipher a contrast between the two but I didn't get far. Presume means to assume something true without proof or until proof is obtained. Assume means to take upon yourself a meaning. But to me it seems like the two can be interchangeable (which I'm sure in reality they cannot)

E.g. As the milk wasn't outside the door this morning, I presume it was you who took it in
But: As the milk wasn't ouside the door this morning, I assume that it was you who took it in

Can anyone help shed some light on this? Thanks!

Permabear

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**Timbuk2**

Ah, thanks for helping!

But if one assumes without external evidence, in your first example

"The milk wasn't outside this morning, so I assume you brought it in" is correct if the speaker is merely hypothesizing as to why the milk isn't on the doorstep. She could also assume that the milkman didn't deliver milk that morning, that a thief stole the milk, and so on.

But wouldn't the fact that there was no milk outside the door be external evidence? You can't assume a thief stole it unless you saw there was no milk there!

Thanks again!

Permabear

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**Timbuk2**

Ah I see - I understand now. Thank you for the answer - you have been very helpful!

donegalfella wrote: »

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