a premise of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a premise of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the foundational idea or assumption that supports a theory, argument, or concept. Example: "The theory is based on a premise of equality among all individuals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kevin Brockmeier's third novel has a premise of dazzling simplicity: pain becomes visible.

The Times

"It was a premise of the discussion at the time and was based on representations made by the tribe".

The New York Times

A premise of political life in all the black countries of southern Africa has suddenly been thrown into question.

The New York Times

Understanding of turbulent flow in the reactor coolant pump (RCP) is a premise of the optimal design of the RCP.

Nuclear Engineering and Technology

A premise of Nordhaus's research: the environment is a public good, shared by all and yet not paid for in any adequate way.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And it starts from a premise of trust in our students to be active participants in bringing about the change of culture that most directly affects them.

Harvard University

Maybe the better question is: How do you incorporate feelings into a relationship that is founded on a premise of no feelings?

The New York Times

Policy makers in Beijing and Washington should keep in mind that mutual trust is a result rather than a premise of long-term cooperation.

The New York Times

One neo-disco song with a premise of ecstasy on the dance floor — both the feeling and the drug — shows Thundercat's capacity for humor.

The New York Times - Arts

Into this landscape comes Greg Berlanti's "Political Animals," a slapdash, invigorating, flawed-but-delectable mini-series with a premise of brass balls.

The New Yorker

Iran has made hostility to America a premise of its 1979 revolution: it sees rapprochement as tantamount to renouncing fundamental principles.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a premise of", ensure that the premise is clearly stated and understood by your audience to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid stating the conclusion as the premise. The premise should support the conclusion, not be a restatement of it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a premise of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a foundational idea or assumption upon which an argument, theory, or system is based. As Ludwig AI suggests, it’s used to present something taken as true at the outset.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a premise of" is a commonly used phrase that introduces a foundational assumption or belief, primarily in news and media, science, and academic writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. While alternatives like "a presupposition of" or "a hypothesis of" exist, "a premise of" directly establishes a basis for understanding or reasoning. Remember to clearly define the premise to avoid ambiguity and to distinguish it from the conclusion. The phrase's prevalence across authoritative sources underscores its reliability and appropriateness in various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a presupposition of

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes something taken for granted beforehand.

a presupposition behind

Implies something taken for granted that supports something else.

a hypothesis of

Focuses on a testable explanation, often in scientific contexts.

an assumption of

Implies something accepted as true without proof.

a basis for

Highlights the foundation upon which something is built or reasoned.

a foundation of

Similar to "a basis for", emphasizing the underlying structure.

a starting point for

Suggests the initial stage of an argument or investigation.

a point of departure for

Suggests the initial stage of an argument or project.

a condition of

Indicates a requirement that must be met.

a rationale for

Focuses on the reason or justification behind something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a premise of" to introduce a foundational assumption or belief. For example, "A premise of the argument is that all citizens are equally entitled to rights".

What are some alternatives to "a premise of"?

Alternatives include "a presupposition of", "a hypothesis of", or "a foundation of" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "a premise of" or "the premise of"?

The choice depends on context. "A premise of" introduces one of potentially many premises. "The premise of" usually refers to the main or only premise.

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

While similar, "a premise of" often implies a more formal or reasoned basis, while "an assumption of" suggests something taken to be true without proof.