a dubious premise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dubious premise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an argument or idea that is questionable or not well-founded. Example: "The author's conclusion is based on a dubious premise that lacks sufficient evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It was a dubious premise in a nightmare year for Democrats, and Kasich eked out a win.

The New York Times - Magazine

Obsession is the overarching theme, probably, but with a dubious premise and four unpleasant characters, the play is not involving enough to be as shocking as it aspires to be.

The New York Times

In explaining the setup to Jess, Nicky tips her off to an absurdly elaborate scheme that both depends on a dubious premise of efficacy and requires wide-reaching, real-world interventions on a superheroic scale.

The New Yorker

First, even allowing that we all do our best work in highly competitive circumstances — a dubious premise; most of us do our best work when we feel confident that the boss has our back, that we have room to maneuver, and even a little space to fail in — this does not give the newly re-signed Mark Sanchez helpful competitive pressure, but merely weirdly competitive pressure.

The New Yorker

It's a dubious premise since dealers (like Vollard) and collectors (like Leo and Gertrude Stein) have long been a subject of inquiry by critics and art historians.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

And that is indeed what Distil Networks did over the weekend, challenging attendees to "fight your friends" and offering a few "title match fights" under the dubious premise that they would attract more spectators.

TechCrunch

For example, a parallel argument against one's knowledge of other's beliefs would have a dubious first premise.

SEP

The judiciary, meanwhile, has followed suit, upholding a host of constitutionally suspect military orders on the dubious premise that "the special status of the military has required... two systems of justice: one for civilians and one for military personnel".

Huffington Post

For what struck me about the dubious premise behind the AT&T breakup is that a similar premise underlies many proposals for privatizing Social Security.

The New York Times

A favorite of authors with means who have embraced the dubious premise that the more publicists you have, the more publicity you'll get.

Huffington Post

At that moment the character becomes a mouthpiece for the director, who bases the story's surprise ending on this dubious premise.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a dubious premise", ensure that you clearly articulate why the premise is questionable, providing specific reasons or evidence to support your claim. This adds credibility to your argument and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the dubiousness of the premise without sufficient justification. Using strong language without backing it up can weaken your argument and make you appear biased.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dubious premise" functions as a noun phrase, where "dubious" modifies "premise". Ludwig AI confirms that it describes a proposition or assumption that is questionable or doubtful. Example: 'It was a dubious premise in a nightmare year for Democrats'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dubious premise" is a commonly used phrase to express doubt or skepticism about the validity of an idea or argument's underlying assumption. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media and science contexts, with a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that you provide clear reasoning for why the premise is questionable to strengthen your argument. Consider alternatives such as "a questionable assumption" or "a shaky foundation" to vary your language and emphasize different aspects of the doubt. Avoid exaggerating the dubiousness without proper justification. The phrase maintains a high expert rating due to its correct grammatical structure, authoritative source examples, and consistent usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a questionable assumption

Focuses on the act of assuming, highlighting the uncertainty of the assumption.

a shaky foundation

Emphasizes the instability and unreliability of the base upon which something is built.

a flimsy basis

Highlights the weakness and lack of substance in the supporting evidence.

an unsubstantiated claim

Focuses on the absence of proof or evidence to support the assertion.

a tenuous argument

Highlights the fragility and vulnerability of the line of reasoning.

a debatable point

Suggests that the idea is open to discussion and disagreement.

a challengeable assertion

Emphasizes that the statement can be disputed or questioned.

a suspect idea

Directly indicates suspicion or distrust regarding the notion.

a flawed assumption

Highlights the presence of errors or defects in the initial belief.

a specious argument

Highlights that the argument appears to be good or correct, but lacks foundation.

FAQs

How can I use "a dubious premise" in a sentence?

You can use "a dubious premise" to express doubt about the validity of an idea. For example: "The entire argument rests on "a dubious premise" that economic growth will continue indefinitely."

What are some alternatives to saying "a dubious premise"?

Alternatives include "a questionable assumption", "a shaky foundation", or "an unsubstantiated claim", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "dubious premise" or "questionable premise"?

Both "dubious premise" and "questionable premise" are acceptable. "Dubious" suggests more suspicion or doubt, while "questionable" simply indicates that it can be questioned. The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of skepticism you wish to express.

What makes a premise dubious?

A premise is dubious if it lacks sufficient evidence, relies on faulty logic, or contradicts established facts. It's an idea or assumption that is likely to be incorrect or unreliable. If you believe something relies on "a dubious premise", investigate the evidence for its truth.