a key premise of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key premise of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the foundational ideas or assumptions that support a particular argument, theory, or concept. Example: "A key premise of her argument is that social media has a significant impact on public opinion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

A key premise of the approach is to seek ways to uncover and document students thinking so it can be discussed, reflected upon, and pushed further.

Harvard University

The success of managed care in controlling costs confirms a key premise of the Clinton plan and other managed competition proposals: substantial savings are feasible.

Princeton University

A key premise of the Pixar action comedy is that square-jawed space ranger Buzz Lightyear doesn't believe he's a toy.

The Guardian - Film

A key premise of CoAXs is that it can enhance engaged dialogue, which is important to building consensus, and we found people to engage less when using it on their own.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Long hours and low wages undermine a key premise of the prime minister's vision, which appears to be that social and financial gains will come from replacing paid with unpaid labour.

The Guardian - Opinion

In fact, a key premise of the conspiracy theory — that the United States gave up a big chunk of its uranium to the Russians — is simply wrong; none of the uranium could legally be exported, anyway.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Second, the GPs pointed to undisturbed time as a key premise for decent care of patients presenting problems related to mental illness or substance abuse.

BMC Health Services Research

A key premise for the second Iraq war was the assumption, based on information compiled by the Central Intelligence Agency, that Saddam Hussein was hiding weapons of mass destruction.

The Washington Post

Determinacy is a key premise in the working-out schema.

SEP

Turkey Isn't a Safe Third CountryThe key premise of the new agreement that all "irregular migrants," including asylum seekers, will be sent back to Turkey has been widely criticized by human rights activists, who say the country has a poor track record on refugee rights.

Vice

Turkey Isn't a Safe Third Country The key premise of the new agreement that all "irregular migrants," including asylum seekers, will be sent back to Turkey has been widely criticized by human rights activists, who say the country has a poor track record on refugee rights.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "a key premise of", ensure that the premise is indeed fundamental and that its validity is either well-established or clearly acknowledged as an assumption. This avoids building an argument on shaky foundations.

Common error

Avoid using "a key premise of" for minor or tangential assumptions. Reserve it for the most crucial underlying ideas; otherwise, you risk weakening your argument's credibility by exaggerating the premise's significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key premise of" functions as a noun phrase introducer, highlighting the foundational element upon which a concept, argument, or theory is built. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase signifies a critical and underlying assumption. It is frequently employed to establish the basis of a subsequent discussion or analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a key premise of" serves as a strong and effective way to introduce a foundational idea, assumption, or principle within an argument or theory. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. It is most frequently found in academic, scientific, and news-related contexts, highlighting its suitability for formal and analytical communication. When using this phrase, ensure that the premise is indeed fundamental and consider alternative phrases such as "a central assumption of" or "a fundamental principle of" for nuanced expression. Avoid overstating the importance of the premise to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a central assumption of

Emphasizes the assumption as being pivotal to the concept.

a fundamental principle of

Highlights the foundational nature of the principle.

a core belief of

Focuses on the belief as a central element.

a basic tenet of

Stresses the tenet as a fundamental doctrine.

an underlying assumption of

Highlights the hidden nature of the assumption.

a foundational concept of

Emphasizes that the concept is foundational to the subject.

the cornerstone of

Indicates the premise is indispensable for the theory.

a primary foundation of

Stresses the foundational role of the premise, adding emphasis with 'primary'.

a major presupposition of

Uses 'presupposition' to refer to something assumed beforehand, changing from 'premise'.

the starting point of

Frames the premise as the origin or beginning of the argument.

FAQs

What does "a key premise of" mean?

The phrase "a key premise of" refers to a fundamental assumption or foundational idea upon which an argument, theory, or concept is based. It signifies a critical starting point or underlying belief that supports the overall structure.

How can I use "a key premise of" in a sentence?

You can use "a key premise of" to introduce a vital assumption or foundational idea. For example: "A key premise of the study is that early intervention leads to better outcomes." Ensure the premise is genuinely crucial to the topic.

What are some alternatives to saying "a key premise of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a fundamental principle of", "a central assumption of", or "an underlying assumption of". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state "a key premise of"?

Not always. Sometimes the premise is so widely understood that it's implicit. However, explicitly stating "a key premise of" can be valuable when clarity is paramount, or when the premise might be controversial or easily overlooked.