presuming

[ pri-zoo-ming ]

/ prɪˈzu mɪŋ /

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adjective

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

Origin of presuming

First recorded in 1575–85; presume + -ing²

pre·sum·ing·ly, adverbun·pre·sum·ing, adjective

Presuming his demographic is largely the same as what it was when he was at Fox, they are not wealthy people.
Glenn Beck Is Now Selling Hipster Clothes. Really.|Ana Marie Cox|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One of the mobs caught Dr. Saptal Singh, beat him unconscious—and presuming him dead—threw his body off a train.
As 30-Year Anniversary of Mass Killings in India Arrives, Sikhs Find Safety in USA|Simran Jeet Singh|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Presuming to interpret and explain events to an elite readership also risked alienating clients.
How the News Business Found Its Footing|Nick Romeo|June 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Presuming the bill clears the 60-vote hurdle on Monday, it will face a number of obstacles before becoming law.
Equal Rights Showdown in the Senate With Historic ENDA Vote|Ben Jacobs|November 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Presuming it to be a private passenger bus, the 23-year-old woman reportedly boarded the bus with a male friend at 9:15 p.m.
Heinous Bus Gang-Rape Outrages India|Shivam Vij|December 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
I am ready Madam,—for I have sufficiently experienced the folly of my presuming to decline it.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
Are you presuming to make fun of this situation, Mr. Dunham?
The Opened Shutters|Clara Louise Burnham
Meantime, you will consult your own safety by letting him alone, and never presuming to repeat the scene of this morning.
Sevenoaks|J. G. Holland
You are presuming to speak of an act of insubordination committed by a military officer under civilian command.
Lord Ormont and his Aminta, Complete|George Meredith
On entering the parlour she found her letter, and eagerly seized it, presuming that it had escaped detection.
The Sheepfold and the Common, Vol. II (of 2)|Timothy East