antager

Antager is a Danish verb meaning to assume, to take on, or to presume. It is used when someone takes for granted a premise, assumes a situation, or accepts a responsibility or role. The word can describe both mental acts (assuming something is true) and practical actions (taking on duties or a position).

Etymology and sense: Antager comes from the prefix an- together with tage, meaning to take. Over time, its meaning broadened from “to take upon oneself” or “to take for granted” to include the sense of making an assumption about something that is not yet verified. The verb often appears in formal, academic, or analytical contexts, but is common in everyday speech as well.

Conjugation and forms: In present tense, the form is antager, used with all subjects (jeg antager, du antager, han antager, vi antager, I antager, de antager). The simple past is antog, and the perfect tense is formed with har antaget (har antaget means “have assumed”). The present participle is antagende, and the noun form is antagelse, meaning “an assumption” or “an accepted premise.”

Usage and nuance: Antager is versatile. In logic, science, and discussions, it introduces a premise or hypothesis: “Vi antager, at dataene er korrekte.” In everyday language, it can express taking on a role or responsibility: “Hun antager posten som leder.” It is often contrasted with forudsætte (to suppose or set as a condition) and antagelse (the noun for an assumption).

See also: antagelse (assumption), forudsætte (to suppose or presuppose), tage (to take).