What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
conjecture
Example
The police have no evidence yet, so it's just conjecture that the suspect is guilty. [conjecture: noun]
Example
I can only conjecture what happened since I wasn't there to witness it. [conjecture: verb]
surmise
Example
Based on his behavior, I can surmise that he's not happy with the situation. [surmise: verb]
Example
Her surmise was that the company was going bankrupt due to the recent layoffs. [surmise: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Conjecture is less common than surmise in everyday language. Conjecture is more likely to be used in academic or formal contexts while surmise is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between conjecture and surmise?
Conjecture is typically associated with a more formal tone, while surmise is more casual and informal, allowing it to be used in various formality levels.
