Meaning & use
supposition
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Meanings
nouncountable or uncountable
Something you assume to be true, though you have no proof of it.
Grammar: Countable for a specific assumption: a supposition; uncountable for guessing in general.
Patterns
- a supposition that something
- based on supposition
The report rests on supposition rather than evidence.
It was only a supposition that the thief came through the window.
Her supposition turned out to be correct.
nouncountable or uncountableformal
The act of assuming something for the sake of argument.
Grammar: Often appears with on the supposition that.
Patterns
- on the supposition that
He argued on the supposition that prices would stay stable.
On that supposition, the plan makes sense.
Word forms
| plural | suppositions |
|---|
Common combinations
- mere supposition
- That is mere supposition, not fact.
- on the supposition that
- We booked the room on the supposition that you were coming.
- based on supposition
- The theory is based on supposition.
- wild supposition
- Blaming him was a wild supposition.
- false supposition
- The plan rested on a false supposition.
Synonyms and how they differ
- assumption
- Assumption is the usual everyday word and may be firmly held, while supposition stresses a lack of proof.
- guess
- A guess is casual and quick, but supposition sounds more reasoned and formal.
- conjecture
- Conjecture is even more formal and suggests an opinion formed on incomplete evidence.
- hypothesis
- A hypothesis is meant to be tested scientifically, which a supposition need not be.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: supposition or superstition? supposition or proposition?
supposition vs superstition
Superstition is a belief in luck or magic; supposition is an unproven assumption.
supposition vs proposition
A proposition is an offer or statement to be considered, not just an assumption.
Practice
Which phrase shows that a claim is only a supposition?
Choose one answer.
A supposition has no proof, so guesswork fits. The others point to evidence.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “supposition”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.