Basic Details
Word: Supposition
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: An idea or belief that something is true, held without full proof.
Synonyms: assumption, guess, theory
Antonyms: fact, certainty
How to Spell Supposition
Syllables: sup - po - si - tion
Tricky part: Suppose drops its e and takes ition, so the middle is pos-i, not pose. Students write supposetion or suposition.
Watch out for: supposetion, suposition, suppositon, supposision
Memory tip: Supposition follows position: write sup, then position, and you have it. Sup + position.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The whole plan rests on the supposition that the trains will run on time.
Example 2: His story was pure supposition, without a single photo to prove it.
Example 3: On the supposition that it might rain, Ma packed umbrellas for everyone.
Fun Fact
Mathematicians often open a proof with the words Suppose that, setting up a supposition and then following it to see where it leads.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the meaning of the correctly spelt word:
1. supposition 2. evidense 3. theorie 4. hypothisis
a) a set of ideas that explains something
b) facts or signs that show something is true
c) an idea to be tested by experiment
d) a belief held without full proof
Show answer
d) a belief held without full proof. Hypothesis has an e before sis, theory ends in y, and evidence ends in ence.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct letters to form a word:
supp_s_tion
a) o, e
b) o, a
c) a, i
d) o, i
Show answer
d) o, i. The end of the word is the word position.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word 'supposition' as used in the sentence:
The detective's supposition was that the thief had entered through the kitchen window.
a) confession
b) guess
c) fact
d) proof
Show answer
b) guess. A supposition is an idea not yet proved, which is a kind of guess; proof and fact are the opposite.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The noun supposition comes from the verb ____.
a) supply
b) support
c) suppose
d) suppress
Show answer
c) suppose
2. A conclusion based only on supposition is ____.
a) written by law
b) agreed by all
c) not yet proved
d) fully proved
Show answer
c) not yet proved
