Definitions
- To make an educated guess or inference based on limited information. - To form an opinion or conclusion without concrete evidence. - To speculate or hypothesize about something.
- To take for granted or accept as true without proof. - To suppose or believe something without evidence. - To undertake a responsibility or task without being asked or required to do so.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words involve making judgments or conclusions without complete information.
- 2Both words imply a degree of uncertainty or lack of evidence.
- 3Both words can be used to describe mental processes of forming beliefs or opinions.
What is the difference?
- 1Evidence: Surmise implies that there is some evidence or information to base the conclusion on, while assume does not require any evidence.
- 2Certainty: Surmise suggests a higher degree of uncertainty than assume, which implies a greater level of confidence in the conclusion.
- 3Responsibility: Assume can also mean taking on a responsibility or task, while surmise does not have this connotation.
- 4Usage: Surmise is more formal and less common than assume, which is more versatile and can be used in various contexts.
- 5Connotation: Surmise has a neutral or positive connotation, while assume can have a negative connotation of jumping to conclusions or being presumptuous.
Remember this!
Surmise and assume are both verbs that describe the act of forming beliefs or opinions without complete information. However, surmise implies that there is some evidence or information to base the conclusion on, while assume does not require any evidence. Additionally, surmise suggests a higher degree of uncertainty than assume, which implies a greater level of confidence in the conclusion. Assume can also mean taking on a responsibility or task, while surmise does not have this connotation. Finally, surmise is more formal and less common than assume, which is more versatile and can be used in various contexts.
