a good premise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good premise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the foundational idea or concept behind a story, argument, or project that is considered strong or effective. Example: "The author presented a good premise that captivated the audience from the very beginning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It's a good premise.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's a good premise for a thriller.

Independent

The focus here is the songs of 1971, a good premise for their deconstructive efforts.

The New York Times - Arts

The values of mechanical properties of Chi films reveal significant adhesiveness to the "skin model" film, a good premise for implant anchorage and osseointegration.

Reactive and Functional Polymers

That might be a good premise for a movie, actually—"Red Dawn" starring the Dead End Kids, with an homage to the "Boy's Stuff" censorship street-fight scene from "Mr.

The New Yorker

Based on "The Wheel Spins," a novel by Ethel Lina White, it has a good premise — a young woman meets an old woman on a train, the old woman disappears and nearly everyone on the train insists she never existed — and the screenplay by Sidney Gilliat and Frank Launder has some witty dialogue.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

It's an impressive cast and a perfectly good premise, but for some reason, Thursday's pilot episode is not very funny.

The New York Times - Arts

There's no definitive plot yet, but Reeves did spill his thoughts on the project to Collider, "I think we have a really good premise, and it's an organic premise.

Independent

"Black Sails," on the other hand, is a sodden and occasionally infuriating mixture of cable-TV tropes that takes a perfectly good premise and allows it to lurch around in bewildering and unpromising ways (and thus it will not surprise you to learn that Michael Bay is one of its executive producers).

Huffington Post

"It's all part of a process of accepting yourself," Mr. Dolle said, which is a good working premise for any interior design.

The New York Times

With a good enough premise, a fashion startup can build a community of thousands, all obsessing over the pieces that they want or need in their closets (it's basically the same).

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When evaluating a story idea or project proposal, using the phrase "a good premise" can quickly convey your positive assessment of its foundational concept. Be specific about why the premise is good; does it offer novelty, strong conflict, or unique character potential?

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something has "a good premise" without elaborating on its strengths or potential weaknesses. Always provide context and justification for your assessment to make your feedback more meaningful and actionable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good premise" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or direct object. It typically describes the foundational idea or concept upon which something is based. Ludwig confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

21%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a good premise" is a commonly used phrase to positively assess a foundational idea. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, most notably in News & Media and Science. While versatile, remember to elaborate beyond merely stating "a good premise" to provide a more meaningful evaluation. Alternatives like "a solid foundation" or "a promising concept" can add nuance. This ensures that your assessment is not only positive but also insightful and actionable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a solid foundation

Focuses on the strength and reliability of the underlying basis.

a strong starting point

Emphasizes the initial advantage provided by the premise.

a promising concept

Highlights the potential and future success suggested by the idea.

a compelling idea

Stresses the captivating and persuasive nature of the concept.

a sound basis

Highlights the reasonableness and validity of the premise.

a viable proposition

Indicates that the premise is practical and capable of being successful.

a reasonable assumption

Emphasizes the logical and justifiable nature of the starting point.

a workable hypothesis

Focuses on the premise as a testable and potentially provable theory.

an excellent starting point

Focuses more on the quality of the starting point.

a well-founded theory

Emphasizes that the premise is based on good evidence or reasoning.

FAQs

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

You can use "a good premise" to describe the foundation of a story, argument, or plan. For example, "The movie's success stems from "a good premise" that explores the consequences of time travel".

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a solid foundation", "a strong starting point", or "a promising concept" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "a good premise" or "an interesting premise"?

The choice depends on what you want to emphasize. "A good premise" suggests the foundation is solid and likely to lead to success, while "an interesting premise" highlights its ability to capture attention and spark curiosity.

What makes "a good premise" effective in storytelling?

An effective "a good premise" in storytelling often presents a compelling conflict, offers opportunities for character development, and provides a unique or thought-provoking scenario.