Supposes

To suppose means to assume or believe something to be true, often based on incomplete evidence or for the sake of argument. It involves forming an opinion or hypothesis without complete certainty, relying on inference or conjecture. The act of supposing often acts as a starting point for reasoning or discussion. It can be a tentative belief, a placeholder for further investigation, or a conditional statement, and carries the implication of possibly being incorrect or open to revision as new information emerges. This word is useful to begin to assess how people approach a complex topic, or to begin to frame hypothetical outcomes as a tool in conversation or academic study.

Supposes meaning with examples

• Given the storm clouds gathering, I **suppose** it will rain later. We should bring the washing in now, but it’s hard to tell. Although, the barometer is steady and the news has been misleading. But I’m still going to **suppose** we are heading for a downpour and will avoid any possible issues by acting now.
• The detective **supposed** that the missing item was hidden in the victim’s home rather than stolen from the outside. Without any evidence, it's difficult to make a definitive claim about the object's location, but based on the known facts he was able to **suppose** a logical beginning for his investigation, leading the detective to concentrate his efforts on the house.
• Let us **suppose**, for the sake of argument, that time travel is possible. What ethical dilemmas would this pose? This hypothetical setup allows us to explore complex issues, and to consider any challenges. In this scenario, we can **suppose** different conditions, and can begin to consider the outcomes in a safe environment.
• The economist supposes that a tax cut would stimulate economic growth. Further research is needed, but some indicators suggest this. Other economists, of course, may **suppose** the opposite, and offer up different results. This helps to start conversation, by allowing the users to consider all known facts, for further research.