What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
posits
Example
The author posits that the decline in bee populations is due to the use of pesticides. [posits: verb]
Example
One of the posits of the study is that there is a correlation between income and happiness. [posits: noun]
postulate
Example
The scientist postulated that the universe began with a big bang. [postulated: verb]
Example
One of the postulates of geometry is that two parallel lines never intersect. [postulates: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Postulate is more commonly used than posits in academic or scientific contexts. Postulate is a more versatile term that can be used in various fields, while posits is less common and more specific to social sciences.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between posits and postulate?
Both posits and postulate are formal words that are typically used in academic or scientific contexts. However, postulate may have a slightly more formal connotation due to its association with natural sciences and its etymology.