suppose so...

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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.

Heidita · Accepted Answer

VictorycountryHi,

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[H]eers

BarbaraPA · Answer

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.

Victorycountry · Answer

Thanks very much.

So 'suppose' expresses doubt.

I finally got it.

Have a lovely day, Heidita and Mrs. GG

!!

CalifJim · Answer

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

Victorycountry · Answer

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!

CalifJim · Answer

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

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