assumed
assumed — verb
1. to decide that something is probably true or real based on what you know, even t
to decide that something is probably true or real based on what you know, even though you do not have definite proof
The police assumed the man was guilty before they looked at any of the evidence.
assumed the man was guilty
Wei assumed the train would be on time, so he was frustrated when the board showed a forty-minute delay.
assumed the train would be on time
We cannot simply assume that every student has a computer at home.
Mei-Lin assumed her roommate would do the dishes, but the sink was full of dirty plates.
The researchers assumed the data was correct and did not check the original files again.
- presume
stronger sense of confidence; 'presume' suggests the speaker has good reason to believe, while 'assume' may be more neutral or tentative
- suppose
more tentative and often used to present a hypothesis or possibility rather than a working belief
- guess
less formal and suggests less thought behind the belief
- take for granted
phrasal; implies the belief is held without examination, often with a negative connotation
文法句型
assume + that-clause
assume + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently followed by a that-clause. The speaker uses 'assume' when presenting an inference as their own judgment, not a confirmed fact. In past tense, the that-clause often backshifts: 'I assumed he was tired' rather than 'I assumed he is tired.'
常見錯誤
2. to pretend to have a particular identity, name, or feeling, usually with the int
to pretend to have a particular identity, name, or feeling, usually with the intention of deceiving other people
The spy assumed a false identity and crossed the border using a forged passport.
assumed a false identity
Fatima assumed a look of surprise when her colleagues walked into the party, even though she had planned the whole event.
assumed a look of surprise
A man calling himself 'Dr. Reeves' assumed that name and began giving medical advice to patients without any training.
The actor assumed a thick Scottish accent for his role in the film about a fishing village.
The con artist assumed a cheerful manner to win the trust of elderly residents in the neighbourhood.
- pretend
less formal and broader in meaning; 'pretend' can refer to both actions and feelings, while 'assume' is more about adopting a visible role or manner
- feign
more formal, usually about emotions or physical states ('feign illness'); less common for identities
- adopt
neutral tone; 'adopt an accent' is similar, but 'adopt' does not imply deception as strongly
- reveal
to show one's true identity or feelings, the opposite of hiding behind a pretended one
文法句型
assume + noun phrase (identity / feeling / manner)
用法筆記
The object is typically a publicly observable thing — an identity, name, expression, accent, or manner — that someone deliberately adopts. This sense is more formal than 'pretend' and implies a concrete change in appearance or behaviour, not just a mental act.
常見錯誤
3. to begin to take responsibility, control, or a particular role, often before bei
to begin to take responsibility, control, or a particular role, often before being officially given permission to do so
After the manager quit suddenly, Nora assumed control of the project to keep things moving.
assumed control of the project
The new government assumed power after the election results were announced on Wednesday.
assumed power
Kwame assumed responsibility for training the younger staff members in the sales department.
When the director fell ill, Sofia assumed control of the research team and kept the project moving.
Tomas assumed the role of team leader when the previous leader went on parental leave.
- relinquish
to give up responsibility or control, the opposite of taking it on
- abdicate
formal; to give up a position of power or responsibility
文法句型
assume + noun phrase (responsibility / control / role)
用法筆記
Subject can be either a person or a thing (e.g. a plan, a situation). When the subject is non-personal, the meaning shifts toward 'beginning to have a quality or characteristic.' Frequently used in formal or professional contexts.
常見錯誤
assumed — adjective
1. believed to be true or real based on a guess, even though no firm proof has been
believed to be true or real based on a guess, even though no firm proof has been found
The assumed cause of the fire was a faulty electrical wire, but investigators kept checking other possibilities.
assumed cause of the fire
We are working with an assumed budget of two million dollars, though the final figure may change.
assumed budget
The doctor treated the patient for the assumed illness, but the test results later showed something completely different.
This forecast is based on an assumed growth rate of three percent each year.
The team found the treasure in an assumed location that no one had searched before.
常見錯誤
2. not real or genuine, but deliberately adopted with the aim of misleading people
not real or genuine, but deliberately adopted with the aim of misleading people
The man's assumed name was 'James Brown,' but his real name was something completely different.
assumed name
Her assumed cheerfulness did not fool anyone in the office — everyone could see she was upset.
assumed cheerfulness
The company operated under an assumed identity to avoid attracting attention from the media.
The letter was written in an assumed handwriting style meant to copy the director's signature.
Officers discovered that he had been living under an assumed address for almost two years.
用法筆記
Unlike the 'supposed' sense of 'assumed,' this sense carries a clear negative judgment — the thing is not just uncertain but deliberately fake. Common nouns following it include 'name,' 'identity,' 'address,' and expressions of emotion.