Oletatakse

Oletatakse is an Estonian verb form that means it is assumed or one assumes. It is the present passive form of the verb oletama, which means to suppose or to presume. The construction is impersonal, not indicating the doer of the action, and it is often used to present a hypothesis, a widely held belief, or a stated premise.

In use, oletatakse typically introduces a clause that expresses a supposition or assumption. For example, Oletatakse, et temperatuur tõuseb aasta jooksul (It is assumed that the temperature will rise over the year). Other common patterns include Oletatakse, et uuring kestab kaks aastat (It is assumed that the study lasts two years). The form is common in academic, scientific, and formal journalism writing.

Grammatical notes: oletatakse functions as a finite verb in the passive voice, with the agent omitted. It coexists with related forms such as oletus (an assumption) and oletama (to suppose). In contrast, arvatakse is another passive form with a similar meaning, often translated as “it is believed.” The choice between oletatakse and arvatakse can reflect nuances of certainty or formality.

See also: oletus, oletama, arvatakse. Oletatakse stands as a typical tool in Estonian to frame conclusions, hypotheses, or conventional wisdom without naming who asserts them, aligning with neutral, formal tone in discourse.