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presume meaning and examples

2025-08-24

Meaning

Presume means to suppose or assume something is true without certain proof, often based on probability or reasonable grounds. It can also mean to act without permission, as in presume to do something.

Grammar and Usage

  • Part of speech: Verb (transitive & intransitive)

  • Common structures:

    • presume that… → I presume that he is coming.
    • presume to do something → She presumed to give advice.
    • presume on/upon something → He presumed on their friendship.

Common Phrases

  • Presume innocence
  • Presume to know
  • Presume too much
  • Presume upon kindness
  • Presume that something is true

Collocations

  • Verb + Noun: presume innocence, presume authority, presume knowledge
  • Verb + Preposition: presume on friendship, presume upon generosity
  • Adverb + Verb: wrongly presume, often presume, generally presume

Examples

  1. I presume that you have already finished the report.
  2. The law states that a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
  3. Don’t presume to tell me how to do my job.
  4. He presumed upon their friendship to borrow money.
  5. I presumed she was at home because her car was in the driveway.
  6. They shouldn’t presume that everyone agrees with them.
  7. He presumed too much on her kindness.
  8. We can presume that the meeting will be postponed due to the storm.
  • Assume
  • Suppose
  • Expect
  • Take for granted
  • Presuppose