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to presuppose

to presuppose

14 8.3
Assume something to be true before you can say or do something
  • verb
  • /ˌpriːsəˈpoʊz/
translation icon : presuponer
  • Effective teamwork presupposes that all members agree on the project's goals.
  • presuppose the existence
  • presupposes some understanding

But that question here from Lee presupposes that you can't do something.

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Examples

  • But there's no reason to presuppose that that would make you feel better at all.

  • An understanding of how people learn effective environmental action presupposes a definition of effectiveness.

    Academic text (1999)
  • And my response back then was you presuppose that I have a choice.

  • Such questions presuppose a certain development in thought.

  • It does not presuppose any background in philosophy.

  • God's judgment presupposes human responsibility not only for sin but also for virtue.

    Academic text (2008)
  • In this sense, social philosophy presupposes conflict as a constitutive element of associated life.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Among leadership theorists, there is a rich debate about whether effective leadership presupposes ethical leadership in means and ends.

    Academic text (2017)
  • The investigation of the modes of narrativity presupposes a stable definition of narrative structure.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Melinsky noted that "training" normally presupposed a clear-cut end product, which is not the case with ordained ministers.

    Academic text (2017)

Synonyms

to suppose
vsto presuppose
  • Formal
5.3

To need something to be true before something else can happen

is assumed to be a necessary prior condition before anything else
to require
vsto presuppose
1.1

Need something because a rule or situation makes it necessary

assumes it as a necessary prior condition rather than by rule
to presume
vsto presuppose
136 4.9

To suppose something is true without proof

treats it as a necessary prior condition before other actions
to necessitate
vsto presuppose
  • Formal
24 6.3

To make something needed as a result

is taken as a necessary prior condition not something caused afterward
to postulate
vsto presuppose
  • Formal
3 7.8

To assume something is needed for a plan or idea to work

is assumed as a necessary prior condition before discussion

Antonyms

1.3

To feel not sure about something or think it is not true

How Assumed

to take for granted
  • Informal
171 4.1
to presuppose
14 8.3
to assume
3.2
to suppose
2.7

Surface Forms

presuppose infinitive
presupposed past participle
presupposing present participle
presupposes third person singular

Morphology

presuppose = suppose (semi-transparent) = pre + suppose

The meaning begins transparently as 'suppose beforehand', but the common logical sense 'require as a prior assumption or condition' is somewhat more specialized.

Etymology

The word presuppose comes from the parts pre- 'before' and suppose 'to accept or imagine'. So, to presuppose something is to accept it before you start or to assume it is needed for what comes next.