Our teacher asserts/claims/proclaims/assumes that Finnish is one of the hardest langu

[angliholic]

Our teacher asserts/claims/proclaims/assumes that Finnish is one of the hardest language in the world to learn.



For me, all of the words besides slashes fit in the above sample and mean about the same to me. But I suspect that there are subtle nuaces, right? Thanks.

[Tdol]

I'd use claims- he says it, but it may or may not be correct.

[angliholic]

I'd use claims- he says it, but it may or may not be correct.

Thanks, Tdol.
But the original uses asserts, so I suspect all of the four underlined words fit but have marginal differences in meanings.

[Tdol]

Proclaims- states publicly
Assumes- takes it for granted as a fact

[angliholic]

Proclaims- states publicly
Assumes- takes it for granted as a fact

Thanks, Tdol.
To make sure, are proclaim and annouce much the same?
And assume and think are about the same?
Assert and claim are all but identical?