Allegedly/Presumably/Supposedly - what's the difference?
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I am not a native speaker, and I'm having a hard time consciously understanding the difference between "allegedly", "presumably" and "supposedly" (There are many others!). From what I've heard: "allegedly" is used when someone in particular made an allegation (does that include oneself?), "presumably" is used when there is a great level of uncertainty and "supposedly" is for when you are making assumptions that are not based on anything in particular.
Can someone explain the proper differences to me as if I'm 5 years old?
differences
edited Aug 31 '11 at 0:55
Daniel
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asked Aug 31 '11 at 0:47
Egor Pavlikhin
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up vote
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I am not a native speaker, and I'm having a hard time consciously understanding the difference between "allegedly", "presumably" and "supposedly" (There are many others!). From what I've heard: "allegedly" is used when someone in particular made an allegation (does that include oneself?), "presumably" is used when there is a great level of uncertainty and "supposedly" is for when you are making assumptions that are not based on anything in particular.
Can someone explain the proper differences to me as if I'm 5 years old?
differences
edited Aug 31 '11 at 0:55
Daniel
46.9k58228351
asked Aug 31 '11 at 0:47
Egor Pavlikhin
15926
3
I would use them as follows: "allegedly": somebody says that; "presumably": this is a reasonable guess as to what's going on; "supposedly": it is widely believed that. I'm not giving this as an answer, since I think for an answer one would need to look up the definitions in dictionaries.
– Peter Shor
Aug 31 '11 at 0:56
add a comment |
up vote
11
down vote
favorite
up vote
11
down vote
favorite
I am not a native speaker, and I'm having a hard time consciously understanding the difference between "allegedly", "presumably" and "supposedly" (There are many others!). From what I've heard: "allegedly" is used when someone in particular made an allegation (does that include oneself?), "presumably" is used when there is a great level of uncertainty and "supposedly" is for when you are making assumptions that are not based on anything in particular.
Can someone explain the proper differences to me as if I'm 5 years old?
differences
edited Aug 31 '11 at 0:55
Daniel
46.9k58228351
asked Aug 31 '11 at 0:47
Egor Pavlikhin
15926
I am not a native speaker, and I'm having a hard time consciously understanding the difference between "allegedly", "presumably" and "supposedly" (There are many others!). From what I've heard: "allegedly" is used when someone in particular made an allegation (does that include oneself?), "presumably" is used when there is a great level of uncertainty and "supposedly" is for when you are making assumptions that are not based on anything in particular.
Can someone explain the proper differences to me as if I'm 5 years old?
differences
differences
edited Aug 31 '11 at 0:55
Daniel
46.9k58228351
asked Aug 31 '11 at 0:47
Egor Pavlikhin
15926
edited Aug 31 '11 at 0:55
Daniel
46.9k58228351
asked Aug 31 '11 at 0:47
Egor Pavlikhin
15926
edited Aug 31 '11 at 0:55
Daniel
46.9k58228351
edited Aug 31 '11 at 0:55
Daniel
46.9k58228351
edited Aug 31 '11 at 0:55
Daniel
46.9k58228351
46.9k58228351
asked Aug 31 '11 at 0:47
Egor Pavlikhin
15926
asked Aug 31 '11 at 0:47
Egor Pavlikhin
15926
asked Aug 31 '11 at 0:47
Egor Pavlikhin
15926
15926
3
I would use them as follows: "allegedly": somebody says that; "presumably": this is a reasonable guess as to what's going on; "supposedly": it is widely believed that. I'm not giving this as an answer, since I think for an answer one would need to look up the definitions in dictionaries.
– Peter Shor
Aug 31 '11 at 0:56
add a comment |
3
I would use them as follows: "allegedly": somebody says that; "presumably": this is a reasonable guess as to what's going on; "supposedly": it is widely believed that. I'm not giving this as an answer, since I think for an answer one would need to look up the definitions in dictionaries.
– Peter Shor
Aug 31 '11 at 0:56
3
3
I would use them as follows: "allegedly": somebody says that; "presumably": this is a reasonable guess as to what's going on; "supposedly": it is widely believed that. I'm not giving this as an answer, since I think for an answer one would need to look up the definitions in dictionaries.
– Peter Shor
Aug 31 '11 at 0:56
I would use them as follows: "allegedly": somebody says that; "presumably": this is a reasonable guess as to what's going on; "supposedly": it is widely believed that. I'm not giving this as an answer, since I think for an answer one would need to look up the definitions in dictionaries.
– Peter Shor
Aug 31 '11 at 0:56
add a comment |
2 Answers
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You're close. To presume something is to make a reasonable assumption, usually based on logic or information. When Henry Morton Stanley said "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?", he was pretty sure he was talking to Livingstone (for one thing, he was the only other white man around).
To suppose something is to make an assumption or statement of belief, but it doesn't necessarily have to be a well grounded one. When someone says "presumably," therefore, it usually means they're pretty sure, or at least that they've got a good reason for making the statement. When someone say "supposedly," they may be pretty sure, or they may not--you don't have enough information to judge.
Now, this is a very general rule of thumb. In practice, people don't always make those fine distinctions while speaking or writing. But if you're looking for which word to use yourself, use "presumably" if you're fairly sure and "supposedly" if you're less sure.
As for "allegedly," it should really only be used when someone has made an explicit allegation, although that isn't always the case, unfortunately.
answered Aug 31 '11 at 1:05
phenry
16.4k24975
2
Not quite. From the Oxford Dictionaries Online: "Supposedly: according to what is generally assumed or believed (often used to indicate that the speaker doubts the truth of the statement)."
– Peter Shor
Aug 31 '11 at 13:03
Would you say that the example "She said the club was still open at the time, allegedly for a private party." from oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/allegedly is one of these unfortunate uses?
– Carsten S
Jan 11 '16 at 19:28
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I am intrigued and I admire all of your all's various concepts and I agree with all given examples.
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2 Answers
2
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
You're close. To presume something is to make a reasonable assumption, usually based on logic or information. When Henry Morton Stanley said "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?", he was pretty sure he was talking to Livingstone (for one thing, he was the only other white man around).
To suppose something is to make an assumption or statement of belief, but it doesn't necessarily have to be a well grounded one. When someone says "presumably," therefore, it usually means they're pretty sure, or at least that they've got a good reason for making the statement. When someone say "supposedly," they may be pretty sure, or they may not--you don't have enough information to judge.
Now, this is a very general rule of thumb. In practice, people don't always make those fine distinctions while speaking or writing. But if you're looking for which word to use yourself, use "presumably" if you're fairly sure and "supposedly" if you're less sure.
As for "allegedly," it should really only be used when someone has made an explicit allegation, although that isn't always the case, unfortunately.
answered Aug 31 '11 at 1:05
phenry
16.4k24975
2
Not quite. From the Oxford Dictionaries Online: "Supposedly: according to what is generally assumed or believed (often used to indicate that the speaker doubts the truth of the statement)."
– Peter Shor
Aug 31 '11 at 13:03
Would you say that the example "She said the club was still open at the time, allegedly for a private party." from oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/allegedly is one of these unfortunate uses?
– Carsten S
Jan 11 '16 at 19:28
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
You're close. To presume something is to make a reasonable assumption, usually based on logic or information. When Henry Morton Stanley said "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?", he was pretty sure he was talking to Livingstone (for one thing, he was the only other white man around).
To suppose something is to make an assumption or statement of belief, but it doesn't necessarily have to be a well grounded one. When someone says "presumably," therefore, it usually means they're pretty sure, or at least that they've got a good reason for making the statement. When someone say "supposedly," they may be pretty sure, or they may not--you don't have enough information to judge.
Now, this is a very general rule of thumb. In practice, people don't always make those fine distinctions while speaking or writing. But if you're looking for which word to use yourself, use "presumably" if you're fairly sure and "supposedly" if you're less sure.
As for "allegedly," it should really only be used when someone has made an explicit allegation, although that isn't always the case, unfortunately.
answered Aug 31 '11 at 1:05
phenry
16.4k24975
2
Not quite. From the Oxford Dictionaries Online: "Supposedly: according to what is generally assumed or believed (often used to indicate that the speaker doubts the truth of the statement)."
– Peter Shor
Aug 31 '11 at 13:03
Would you say that the example "She said the club was still open at the time, allegedly for a private party." from oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/allegedly is one of these unfortunate uses?
– Carsten S
Jan 11 '16 at 19:28
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
You're close. To presume something is to make a reasonable assumption, usually based on logic or information. When Henry Morton Stanley said "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?", he was pretty sure he was talking to Livingstone (for one thing, he was the only other white man around).
To suppose something is to make an assumption or statement of belief, but it doesn't necessarily have to be a well grounded one. When someone says "presumably," therefore, it usually means they're pretty sure, or at least that they've got a good reason for making the statement. When someone say "supposedly," they may be pretty sure, or they may not--you don't have enough information to judge.
Now, this is a very general rule of thumb. In practice, people don't always make those fine distinctions while speaking or writing. But if you're looking for which word to use yourself, use "presumably" if you're fairly sure and "supposedly" if you're less sure.
As for "allegedly," it should really only be used when someone has made an explicit allegation, although that isn't always the case, unfortunately.
answered Aug 31 '11 at 1:05
phenry
16.4k24975
You're close. To presume something is to make a reasonable assumption, usually based on logic or information. When Henry Morton Stanley said "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?", he was pretty sure he was talking to Livingstone (for one thing, he was the only other white man around).
To suppose something is to make an assumption or statement of belief, but it doesn't necessarily have to be a well grounded one. When someone says "presumably," therefore, it usually means they're pretty sure, or at least that they've got a good reason for making the statement. When someone say "supposedly," they may be pretty sure, or they may not--you don't have enough information to judge.
Now, this is a very general rule of thumb. In practice, people don't always make those fine distinctions while speaking or writing. But if you're looking for which word to use yourself, use "presumably" if you're fairly sure and "supposedly" if you're less sure.
As for "allegedly," it should really only be used when someone has made an explicit allegation, although that isn't always the case, unfortunately.
answered Aug 31 '11 at 1:05
phenry
16.4k24975
edited Aug 31 '11 at 1:14
answered Aug 31 '11 at 1:05
phenry
16.4k24975
answered Aug 31 '11 at 1:05
phenry
16.4k24975
answered Aug 31 '11 at 1:05
phenry
16.4k24975
16.4k24975
2
Not quite. From the Oxford Dictionaries Online: "Supposedly: according to what is generally assumed or believed (often used to indicate that the speaker doubts the truth of the statement)."
– Peter Shor
Aug 31 '11 at 13:03
Would you say that the example "She said the club was still open at the time, allegedly for a private party." from oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/allegedly is one of these unfortunate uses?
– Carsten S
Jan 11 '16 at 19:28
add a comment |
2
Not quite. From the Oxford Dictionaries Online: "Supposedly: according to what is generally assumed or believed (often used to indicate that the speaker doubts the truth of the statement)."
– Peter Shor
Aug 31 '11 at 13:03
Would you say that the example "She said the club was still open at the time, allegedly for a private party." from oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/allegedly is one of these unfortunate uses?
– Carsten S
Jan 11 '16 at 19:28
2
2
Not quite. From the Oxford Dictionaries Online: "Supposedly: according to what is generally assumed or believed (often used to indicate that the speaker doubts the truth of the statement)."
– Peter Shor
Aug 31 '11 at 13:03
Not quite. From the Oxford Dictionaries Online: "Supposedly: according to what is generally assumed or believed (often used to indicate that the speaker doubts the truth of the statement)."
– Peter Shor
Aug 31 '11 at 13:03
Would you say that the example "She said the club was still open at the time, allegedly for a private party." from oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/allegedly is one of these unfortunate uses?
– Carsten S
Jan 11 '16 at 19:28
Would you say that the example "She said the club was still open at the time, allegedly for a private party." from oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/allegedly is one of these unfortunate uses?
– Carsten S
Jan 11 '16 at 19:28
add a comment |
up vote
-4
down vote
I am intrigued and I admire all of your all's various concepts and I agree with all given examples.
answered 2 hours ago
Kandi
1
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– Mari-Lou A
45 mins ago
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up vote
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I am intrigued and I admire all of your all's various concepts and I agree with all given examples.
answered 2 hours ago
Kandi
1
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– Mari-Lou A
45 mins ago
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up vote
-4
down vote
up vote
-4
down vote
I am intrigued and I admire all of your all's various concepts and I agree with all given examples.
answered 2 hours ago
Kandi
1
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I am intrigued and I admire all of your all's various concepts and I agree with all given examples.
answered 2 hours ago
Kandi
1
New contributor
Kandi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 hours ago
Kandi
1
New contributor
Kandi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 hours ago
Kandi
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answered 2 hours ago
Kandi
1
1
New contributor
Kandi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Kandi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Kandi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
SPAM?? To users: Please flag for deletion. Do not edit or remove the image from the post as that might interfere with the site's filter whatchamacallit.
– Mari-Lou A
45 mins ago
add a comment |
SPAM?? To users: Please flag for deletion. Do not edit or remove the image from the post as that might interfere with the site's filter whatchamacallit.
– Mari-Lou A
45 mins ago
SPAM?? To users: Please flag for deletion. Do not edit or remove the image from the post as that might interfere with the site's filter whatchamacallit.
– Mari-Lou A
45 mins ago
SPAM?? To users: Please flag for deletion. Do not edit or remove the image from the post as that might interfere with the site's filter whatchamacallit.
– Mari-Lou A
45 mins ago
add a comment |
protected by Mari-Lou A 46 mins ago
Thank you for your interest in this question.
Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).
Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?
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I would use them as follows: "allegedly": somebody says that; "presumably": this is a reasonable guess as to what's going on; "supposedly": it is widely believed that. I'm not giving this as an answer, since I think for an answer one would need to look up the definitions in dictionaries.
– Peter Shor
Aug 31 '11 at 0:56