suppose so...

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victorycountry

#465611 Thu, 17 Jan 08 10:36 PM

Hi,

Does 'suppose' has a bit negative meaning?

The following example is from a English learners book,

Tim: Are you ready to go?

Jane: I suppose so ( meaning = I don't want to go but I supppose that I am ready to go)

Then what about this one:

e.g.

I suppose you didn't see the notebook on the table, little boy?

Does it mean ' I didn't want you to see the notebook but I suppose you did, little boy?'

I understand the meaning of 'hope', 'guess' and etc...but it's that I haven't still clearly understood about usage of 'suppose'.

Am I getting understanding it here?

Thanks in advance.

victorycountry

Joined on Sat, Oct 16 2004

Full Member (296)

Negatives

Heidita

#465614 Thu, 17 Jan 08 10:53 PM

Victorycountry wrote:

Hi,

Does 'suppose' has a bit negative meaning?

The following example is from a English learners book,

Tim: Are you ready to go?

Jane: I suppose so ( meaning = I don't want to go but I supppose that I am ready to go)

Then what about this one:

e.g.

I suppose you didn't see the notebook on the table, little boy?

Does it mean ' I didn't want you to see the notebook but I suppose you did, little boy?'

I understand the meaning of 'hope', 'guess' and etc...but it's that I haven't still clearly understood about usage of 'suppose'.

Am I getting understanding it here?

Thanks in advance.

Interesting question, Victory. Here it is all a matter of intonation.

In the second situation, the woman is asking A: Listen, little boy, there was a notebook on the table, so where is it now? (insinuating that he has taken it!!)

The intonation is slightly sarcastic, as one understands that the boy HAS actually seen or taken the notebook.

ch Cool [H] eers

Heidita

Joined on Tue, Jan 1 2008

Junior Member (58)

It's what you do in life that echoes in eternity.

Negatives, Intonations

Grammar Geek

#465615 Thu, 17 Jan 08 11:02 PM

Hi VC,

There's another sense to "I suppose so" that expresses doubt rather than reluctance.

If I'm doubtful about whether I look okay before we go to a nice party, I may "I suppose so" -- not because I'm not looking forward to the party, but because I'm not sure about my new haircut, etc.

Grammar Geek

Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006

Pennsylvania, USA

Veteran Member (15,563)

Barbara, who answers in American English.

victorycountry

#465618 Thu, 17 Jan 08 11:20 PM

Thanks very much.

So 'suppose' expresses doubt.

I finally got it.

Have a lovely day, Heidita and Mrs. GG Smile [:)] !!

victorycountry

CalifJim

#465652 Fri, 18 Jan 08 03:12 AM

to suppose is to assume without certainty -- to state something as an assumption, knowing that it may be true or it may not be true.

--Are you ready?
-- I suppose so. (I assume so, but I am not completely certain.) (This shows reluctance to make the more definite statement Yes, I'm ready.)

-- I suppose you didn't see the notebook. (I assume that you did not see the notebook; I don't know for certain that you did not see it.)

CJ

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (16,954)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

victorycountry

#466814 Sun, 20 Jan 08 10:37 PM

Thanks Jim!

In the following example, does the 'suppose' have the same meaning as 'say'

Suppose you received a gift-wrapped package with a label that read - 'handle with care'.

Normally, when such a case, I mean to decribe a situation as an example, I would use 'say' instead.

Is 'say' interchageable here? I mean does the 'suppose' have the same meaning as 'say'?

Thanks in advance.

One more thing, Jim, I wish you a Happy New Year and good start to 2008!

victorycountry

CalifJim

#466869 Mon, 21 Jan 08 02:53 AM

Happy New Year to you, too, victorycountry!

Yes. Suppose ... or Assume ... or Say .... All have the same meaning in this context.

You can also put Let's in front of them.

Let's suppose you ...
Let's assume you ...
Let's say you ...

CJ

CalifJim