# speculating

/ˈspɛkjəˌɫeɪtɪŋ/ (US) · /spˈɛkjʊlˌeɪtɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/speculating
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

to guess about something without having all the facts. You use this when you are thinking about what might happen or why something is true.

For teachers: to form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence. Often involves making assumptions about future events or hidden causes.

## Examples

- People are speculating about who will win the election.
- Financial analysts are speculating that the central bank will lower interest rates by the end of the quarter.
- Without access to the internal documents, the press can only continue speculating on the motives behind the CEO's sudden and unexpected resignation.

## Pitfalls

- Not "They are speculating the reason." but "They are speculating about the reason." — When used to mean guessing, the verb is usually intransitive and requires a preposition like 'about' or 'on' before the noun.

## Usage notes

- Often followed by the prepositions 'about', 'on', or 'that'.

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