I assume you are reading this because you presume my blog will be an accurate source of information about word usage. I can only assume that because I don’t know who you are nor why you are really reading this post. It’s just a guess. You, on the other hand, would presume my expertise, since I have identified myself as a professional editor. Until proven otherwise, a presumption carries more weight.
In everyday speech, “assume” and “presume” are often used interchangeably, but that’s incorrect. According to the website Grammarist, while both words can mean to take something for granted as true (among their other definitions), the difference is in the degree of certainty. A presumption is more authoritative; to presume is to make an informed guess based on evidence, while to assume is to guess with little or no evidence.
Take these examples:
Looking at the photo, I presumed the band had five members, but in concert it turned out to be a quartet.
I assumed the reporter had interviewed the band, although I did not know that he did.
In the first, presume is the better word to use, because the guess is based on irrefutable evidence. In the second, the guess is clearly a guess.
Got it? Whenever you’re having trouble finding the right words in your own documents, it’s time to hire an editor.
Don’t Get Hysterical Over Historic or Historical
According to the Associated Press Stylebook, “a historic event is an important occurrence, one that stands out in history. Any occurrence in the past is a historical event.” But should the same rule apply to buildings, neighborhoods or districts? Are these places merely old, or did something significant occur there? The Grammarist website notes, “Buildings, villages, districts and landmarks deemed historically important are often described as historic because they are historically significant in addition to being of or related to history. Societies dedicated to recognizing and preserving these things are called historical societies because they are concerned with history but not momentous in themselves.” So a historical society might be responsible for maintaining a historic site. Got it?
The best and most thorough discussion of proper usage of historic or historical that I’ve found is this one. Its author points out the other wrinkle in this conundrum: Is it correct to put “a” or “an” in front of historic or historical? (Unless your audience is British, there’s little debating “a” is the correct way to go.)
Leave a comment
Filed under Commentary, Editing Tips, Grammar, Writing Tips
Tagged as Associated Press Stylebook, Bellingham, historic or historical, Klondike Museum, Klondike National Historical Park, LaConner, road signs, William Safire