a false premise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a false premise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an argument or statement that is based on incorrect assumptions or beliefs. Example: "The conclusion drawn from the study is flawed because it is built on a false premise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was a false premise.

The Guardian

But it is a false premise.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the entire bout was based on a false premise.

The New York Times

This dogma is based on a false premise.

The Economist

The company was sold on a false premise.

The Economist

But their calculation is based on a false premise.

The Guardian - Business

"Power viewed in state terms alone, or even primarily, is a false premise these days".

The New York Times

What if, starting from a false premise, you make the same mistake over and over again?

Independent

That history is not just wrong, it is built on a false premise.

The New York Times

It was a scare story based on a false premise and some badly flawed polls".

The Guardian

Is that the behavior of someone sickened by the reality of a false premise for war?

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When identifying "a false premise", clearly articulate why the underlying assumption is incorrect to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid declaring a premise as "a false premise" without providing adequate evidence or reasoning to support your claim. Unsupported claims weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a false premise" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a foundational statement or assumption that is incorrect or untrue, undermining the validity of any argument or conclusion derived from it. As Ludwig AI reveals, its usage is correct and widespread.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a false premise" is a noun phrase that describes a foundational statement or assumption that is incorrect. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and very common in writing, particularly in news, academic, and scientific contexts. It serves the purpose of identifying flaws in reasoning and challenging the validity of arguments. Related phrases include "an incorrect assumption" and "a flawed assumption", offering nuanced ways to express the same concept. Effective use involves clear articulation of why the premise is incorrect, while common errors include assuming a premise is false without sufficient evidence. Understanding its usage and potential pitfalls is crucial for constructing sound arguments and critical analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an incorrect assumption

Focuses on the assumption being wrong, rather than the entire premise.

a flawed assumption

Emphasizes that the assumption has a defect or weakness.

a faulty premise

Highlights the defect in the base of an argument.

a mistaken belief

Emphasizes the belief as being inaccurate or untrue.

an erroneous assumption

Stresses the error in the original assumption.

an unfounded assumption

Suggests the assumption lacks a solid basis or evidence.

a groundless assumption

Similar to 'unfounded', implying the assumption has no factual support.

a deceptive premise

Implies the premise is intentionally misleading.

a fallacious premise

Indicates that the premise contains a logical fallacy.

a spurious premise

Highlights that the premise appears genuine but is not.

FAQs

How can I identify "a false premise" in an argument?

Look for underlying assumptions that are presented as facts but lack supporting evidence or are based on outdated information. Question whether the core belief is actually true.

What's the difference between "an incorrect assumption" and "a false premise"?

"A false premise" generally refers to the foundation of an argument being flawed, while "an incorrect assumption" can be a singular, isolated error within a broader context.

What are some common examples of "a false premise"?

Examples include assuming correlation equals causation, believing anecdotal evidence over statistical data, or relying on stereotypes as factual representations.

How can using "a false premise" weaken an argument?

If the foundational idea is wrong, any conclusions drawn from it will also be invalid, regardless of how logically sound the rest of the argument seems.