1THINK SO/NOT BE SUREto think that something is true, although you do not have definiteproof 假定,假设,认为SYN presume
assume (that)
I didn’t see your car, so I assumed you’d gone out.
我没有看见你的汽车,所以我以为你出去了。
it seems/is reasonable to assume (that)
It seems reasonable to assume that the book was written around 70 AD.
认为这本书写于公元70年前后似乎有道理。
somebody can safely assume that (=it is almost certain)
I think we can safely assume that interest rates will go up again soon.
我想我们几乎可以肯定,利率很快会再次上调。
let us/let’s assume (that) (=used when thinking about a possible event or situation and its possible results) 我们假设
Let us assume for a moment that we could indeed fire her. Should we?
我们暂且假设真的能开除她,我们是不是该那样做?
nsomebody/something is assumed to be (doing) something
nThe rest of the system is assumed to be functioning well.
assume the worst (=think that the worst possible thing has happened)
When it got to midnight and Paul was still not back, I began to assume the worst.
到午夜时保罗还没回来,我就开始往最坏的地方想了。
nGrammar
In more formal English, you say it is assumed that something is true:
It is assumed that the person is innocent.
2assume control/responsibility etcformal to start to have control, responsibility etc or to start in a particular position or job 开始掌管/承担责任等
Whoever they appoint will assume responsibility for all financial matters.
不管他们任命的是谁,他都要负责财务方面的所有事务。
He assumed power in a bloody coup in 1990.
他在1990年一场血腥的政变中上台。
Jim Paton will assume the role of managing director.
吉姆·帕顿将出任常务董事一职。
Examples from the Corpus
assume the role of• In effect the exporterassumes the role of a buyer and has to market the counter-purchased goods.• Better therefore to try to anticipate such a calamity by assuming the role of an active and vigilant peace-maker.• The little birds had assumed the roles of birds that were absent from the area.• Unlucky-looking people made them uneasy and even tempted some to assume the role ofmisfortune.• Dunaway next year will assume the role ofmovieproducer.• The company said the executivecommittee of its board will assume the roles ofpresident and chief executive.• Sculley assumed the role ofscoutmaster.• The book assumes the role of the most patientinstructor.
3assume a manner/air/expression etcformalPRETEND to behave in a way that does not show how you really feel, especially in order to seem more confident, happy etc than you are 假装[装出]…的态度/样子/表情等SYN put on
Andy assumed an air of indifference whenever her name was mentioned.
每次提到她的名字,安迪都装出无所谓的样子。
Examples from the Corpus
assume a manner/air/expression etc• Oliver assumed an expression of extreme penitence.• The only thing she could do was to assume an air of indifference.• No wonder the techniqueassumed an air of planet-wide importance.
4DEVELOPto start to have a particular quality or appearance 呈现出,显示出SYN take on
These relationships assume great importance in times of crisis.
在危急时刻,这些关系显得尤为重要。
The problem is beginning to assume massive proportions.
问题开始显出其严重性。
5DEPEND/IT DEPENDSto be based on the idea that something else is correct 以…为前提,预先假定SYN presuppose
assume (that)
The theory assumes that both labour and capital are mobile.
这个理论的前提是劳动力和资本都是流动的。
Coen’s economic forecast assumes a 3.5% growth rate.
assume• Coen's economicforecastassumes a 3.5 percentgrowth rate.• Assuming a carefree air, Luke picked up his jacket and walked to the door.• When socializing with his co-workers he would assume a hearty, over-bearing manner.• The role of defending the Church was assumed by the lowerclergy, their chiefspokesman being Francis Atterbury.• Mackenzie assumeddirect control, with his partners in subordinate positions.• Her family life assumed more importance after the accident.• He had been to school one day and already he was using phrases and assuming roles that belonged to a different world.• When they saw her appear at the bedroom window, they could only assume she was all right.• You will not succeed by assuming that decisionsalone will achieve behavior change.• In our original study, we assumed that Mr Major could hope to win roughly one by-election in three in Toryseats.• We assume that other industrialized nations are going to help with money for food and other supplies.• I think we can safely assume that the practice is legal.• I just assumed that the woman standing next to Jack was his wife.• They argue that to assume the worst is often to invitedisaster.• You shouldn't just assume things without getting all the facts.
it seems/is reasonable to assume (that)• However, it seems reasonable to assume that pragmaticfactors in comprehension will also be present in production.• I think it is reasonable to assume that the arrow for computers is the same as that for humans.• In addition, it seems reasonable to assume that the development will attain an occupancy rate much higher than that at present.
assume ... proportions• By A.D. 54-5, militant activity had again assumed epidemic proportions.• His movement col-lapsed within three years, but his defianceassumed legendary proportions.• If one looks to sources other than the canonical scriptures, Thomas's role assumes larger proportions.• These normally privatefunctions can assume unusually large proportions if illnesslimits a person's capacity for selfcare.• First, let us assume fixed proportions in production.• Workingparent guilt can assume draining proportions in such situations.• The events of 1971 assume the proportions of a small-townpoker game in comparison to the speculation of February and March 1973.• A neighbourhoodpatrol can thus assume the proportions of an armed convoy.