Suppose

Question

Train conversations of this kind - and they do happen, although not of course as often as the popular myth supposes - are good example.Hi, Does 'supposes' mean 'happens' or 'would happen'?Thanks.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

No. Suppose = guess, think, presume.

Mr Wordy · Answer

Neither really -- at least, not in the sense that you can subsitute either for "supposes". "supposes" means "supposes that they happen".

"suppose" is used in the sense given at http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/suppose?view=uk of "think or assume that something is true or probable, but without proof".

So, the part between the dashes is basically saying that, according to popular myth, these train conversations happen reasonably often -- but in reality they don't actually happen that often.

It should read "... are a good example".

Liveinjapan · Answer

Great!
Thanks, Mr M and Mr W.

I get the meaning!

Suppose

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