English Nuances - Difference between Guess, Suppose, Assume, and Think
What's the difference between guess, suppose, assume, and think in English?
Guess - make an estimate (or prediction) when you’re not sure.
I guess it will rain tomorrow.
Can you guess how old I am?
I had to guess the answer to the last question on the test.
Suppose - consider a possibility or imagine a scenario
Suppose we win the lottery, what would we do?
I suppose he is still mad at me.
Let's suppose the story is true; what then?
Assume - accept something as true without proof
I assume you're coming to dinner.
He assumed the project was finished.
We can't assume everyone knows the rules.
Think - have an opinion
I think this is the best way to solve the problem.
Do you think it will work?
I think I left my keys in the car.
Of course there can be overlap in usage since the definitions are somewhat similar. For example, I could say I guess it will rain, I suppose it will rain, and I think it will rain. Here, the meaning is the same: I don’t know for sure, but I imagine it will.
What do you think? Can I assume you understand the lesson? I suppose you might still have questions. Oh well, if you do, I guess you’ll just ask in the comments. 😉