What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
guessing
Example
I'm just guessing, but I think the answer is 42. [guessing: present participle]
Example
She guessed that he was around 30 years old. [guessed: past tense]
surmise
Example
Based on the evidence, I can only surmise that he is guilty. [surmise: verb]
Example
Her surmise was that the company was going bankrupt. [surmise: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Guessing is more commonly used in everyday language than surmise. Guessing is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while surmise is more formal and may be used more in academic or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between guessing and surmise?
Surmise is generally considered more formal than guessing. While guessing can be used in casual or informal contexts, surmise is more likely to be used in academic or professional settings where precision and accuracy are important.
