Most Widely Misused Word

[Ron Kruger]

A couple of years ago, I was chastised for misusing a word, and once I realized I had been speaking–and sometimes writing–in error, I began to notice that nearly everyone misuses it: politicians, TV anchors and others who make their money with their mouths.
Can anyone guess what word I have in mind?

[Charlie]

Ron,

If it is misused by politicians and TV anchors the word undoubtedly has something to do with truth and honesty.

Charlie

[Ron Kruger]

Here's a hint:
You assume wrongly.

[Shelagh Watkins]

Quite right or should I say rightly?

[Ron Kruger]

What almost everyone says and writes is "assume" when they really mean "presume." It wasn't "Dr. Livingston, I assume?"
Worst of all is sentences that begin with: "I assumed you were..."
Since I've tried to break myself of this bad habit, I've noticed almost everyone misusing it, similar to how when you buy a certain car, you begin to notice many of them on the road.

[Shelagh Watkins]

Assumed isn't incorrect. The sentence should be: "I assumed that you were..." meaning "I took for granted ... that ... you were ... innocent." "I assumed that you were innocent" or " I presumed you were innocent" (To take for granted as being true in the absence of proof to the contrary)

"Dr. Livingstone, I presume" -- "Dr. Livingstone, I suppose it must be." -- and, of course, it was!

As writers, we are all so busy removing the word "that" from our writing, we omit it when we shouldn't!

[Ron Kruger]

Assume 1. To undertake; don (a garment, for example). 2. To understake: assuming the responsibility. 3 To invests onself formally with: assume the presidency. 4. To take on; adopt: "the god assumes a human form" (Ruskin).
Presume 1 To take for granted; assume to be true in the absence of proof to the contrary. 2. To give reasonable evidence for assuming; appear to prove. 3. To engage oneself in, without authroity or permission; venture; dare. Often used with an infinitive.
I'll admit there is a fine line between the two words in some contexts, but the majority of the ways "assume" is used (that's what I was thinking) seem wrong to me.
When I assume the responsibilities of writing, I presume that each word choice is important.
Is this presumptuous of me? lol

[Shelagh Watkins]

Yes! When you take on the responsibilities of writing, you believe (based on fact) that each word choice is important. This is presumptuous of you! LOL!

Often heard: "I presume it would ... but I'm not sure." In which case, one should not presume!

"To assume is to take for granted, as proof, with or without having the facts; to presume is to do the same on the basis of probability or belief--perhaps even based upon future revelation of fact. To look at the Latin prefixes, a- means without and pre- means before."

I assumed that the above quote was correct, having presumed the Latin was correct!

or

I presumed the above quote was correct, having assumed that the Latin was correct!

[Ron Kruger]

I presumed that these two words were real trouble, and now I assume them to be just that.

[Ron Kruger]

Please, just don't tell me that it's all "doable."

[Shelagh Watkins]

Take this example:

If a child lies to a teacher and the teacher doesn't know, but needs to know, if the child is lying, then the teacher asks this question:

"I assume that you are telling the truth?" To which the child replies, "Yes."

Without proof, the teacher has to believe the child.

If the child lies and the teacher knows the child is lying, then the teacher asks:

"I presume you are lying?" To which the child answers, "No." The child is caught in his/her own web of lies.

Without proof, we can only assume. With proof, we can presume -- even if that proof will only come to light at a later date.

[Susie Sunshine]

Shelagh said, "Without proof, we can only assume. With proof, we can presume -- even if that proof will only come to light at a later date."

That is the key that helped me understand the two words. Thank you, Shelagh!

[Malcolm R. Campbell]

As with many words, usage forces new meanings upon us even when that popular usage appears incorrect. If one uses the word "presume" in the States at a time when popular usage is favouring "assume," they will be seen as pompous. One can try to fight the tide of change on this, but I think that will be like building sandcastles on the beach.

Malcolm