suppose

supporre, pensare

Pensare che qualcosa sia probabilmente vero, senza esserne certi.

In inglese semplice: 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.

Come si usa: suppose that… (I suppose that they have already left.)

Sinonimi: think, assume, guess

Espressioni comuni: suppose that, suppose so, suppose someone knows

supporre, credere

Si usa per dire di sì senza esserne molto convinti o contenti.

In inglese semplice: 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.

Espressioni comuni: I suppose so, I suppose

supporre, immaginare

Immaginare che qualcosa accada o sia vero per considerare le conseguenze.

In inglese semplice: 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?

Come si usa: suppose that… (Suppose that the shop is closed. Where else could we go?)

Sinonimi: imagine, assume

Espressioni comuni: suppose that, suppose we, suppose someone were

supporre, credere

Nella forma negativa, serve a chiedere qualcosa gentilmente quando ci si aspetta un no.

In inglese semplice: 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?

Come si usa: 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?)

Espressioni comuni: suppose you could, suppose you have, suppose you remember

ipotizzare, supporre

Accettare provvisoriamente un’idea per verificarla o ricavarne le conseguenze.

In inglese semplice: 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.

Come si usa: suppose that… (Suppose that the number is positive; its square must also be positive.)

Sinonimi: hypothesize, assume, theorize

Espressioni comuni: suppose that, suppose a variable