vermuten
to suspect / assume
To consider something likely or assume it without having definite proof.
EXAMPLE
Ich vermute, dass er den Zug verpasst hat, weil er immer zu spät kommt.
I suspect that he missed the train because he is always late.
vermuten
to suspect / assume
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Meanings
vermuten
to suspect
To assume that someone or something is in a particular place.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei vermutet den Verdächtigen in der Nachbarstadt.
The police suspect the suspect is in the neighboring town.
Usage tips
Sentence structure with 'dass'
'Vermuten' (to suspect / assume) is very often used with a subordinate clause introduced by 'dass' (that). In this subordinate clause, the conjugated verb comes at the end.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt vermutet, dass der Patient eine Allergie hat.
The doctor suspects that the patient has an allergy.
Register and style
'Vermuten' (to suspect / assume) is a neutral to slightly formal word. It expresses an assumption based on evidence or reasoning, but not yet certain knowledge.
EXAMPLE
Wir vermuten einen technischen Defekt als Ursache des Problems.
We suspect a technical defect as the cause of the problem.
Suspecting a location
When you suspect a person or thing to be in a particular place, the object is in the accusative, followed by the location.
EXAMPLE
Man vermutet die antike Stadt unter dem heutigen Rom.
The ancient city is suspected to be under present-day Rome.
Compare with
vermuten vs denken
to think
Denken can express an assessment or opinion without specifically indicating how certain it is. Vermuten is appropriate when something seems likely based on indications but has not been proven for certain.
vermuten
Wegen der unklaren Anzeige vermute ich, dass der Zug später kommt.
Because the display is unclear, I suspect that the train will be late.
denken
Nach dem Blick auf den Fahrplan denke ich, dass der Zug später kommt.
After looking at the timetable, I think the train will be late.
In real life
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