suppose

If you think something is probably true without being certain, you believe it may be so.

• I suppose he is at home.
• What do you suppose happened?
• She supposed the door was locked.

How to use it: suppose that… (I suppose that they have already left.)

Similar words: think, assume, guess

Common phrases: suppose that, suppose so, suppose someone knows

You say this to agree, but without feeling very sure or happy about it.

• I suppose we could walk.
• Yes, I suppose you are right.
• It was fair, I suppose.

Common phrases: I suppose so, I suppose

Imagine that something happens or is true, so you can consider what would follow.

• Suppose we miss the train.
• Suppose you won a million pounds. What would you buy?
• Suppose that nobody agreed. What would happen next?

How to use it: suppose that… (Suppose that the shop is closed. Where else could we go?)

Similar words: imagine, assume

Common phrases: suppose that, suppose we, suppose someone were

You use this negative expression to ask politely when you expect the answer to be no.

• I don’t suppose you have a pen?
• I don’t suppose you could help me?
• You don’t suppose she remembers us, do you?

How to use it: I don’t suppose you could…? (I don’t suppose you could lend me your umbrella?); I don’t suppose you have…? (I don’t suppose you have a spare ticket?)

Common phrases: suppose you could, suppose you have, suppose you remember

Accept an idea for the purpose of testing it or working out what follows.

• Suppose that the two values are equal.
• Let us suppose the theory is correct.
• The researchers supposed that temperature affected the result.

How to use it: suppose that… (Suppose that the number is positive; its square must also be positive.)

Similar words: hypothesize, assume, theorize

Common phrases: suppose that, suppose a variable