a working premise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a working premise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a foundational idea or assumption that is intended to guide further thought or action in a project or discussion. Example: "For our research, we established a working premise that access to education significantly impacts economic growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Both adhere, though, to Picasso's working premise that a portrait is a subjective document: a viewer recognizes the artist first, the sitter second (if at all).

The New Yorker

The "numbers," as pollsters like to call them (thereby exposing their insulting working premise that human behavior is a digital affair), have been all over the place since the war started.

The New York Times - Magazine

In the introduction to a collection of essays on the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, the scholars Strobe Talbott and Nayan Chanda write that their working premise was "that the unforgivable is not necessarily incomprehensible or inexplicable".

The New York Times - Books

And I have a theory and I don't know whether it's true or not but it's my working premise which is how things happen is more interesting than what happens.

Los Angeles Times

The article's working premise was that McCaughey, with no ax to grind and no preconceptions about health care, sat down for a careful reading of the whole Clinton bill.

Huffington Post

This result is supported by Hailemichael (2014) and Amasu (2012) that working premises, marketing and financial factors were the major factors significantly affecting performance of MSEs in Addis Ababa.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Some children from nearby villages were housed on the working premises, so they were also exposed to dust while not working.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Even when a labored, assaultive push for audience involvement shows signs of working, its premise is ludicrous.

The New York Times

"I went to a client's work premises and spent a whole meeting with their dog's head in my crotch," says literary consultant Diane Hall.

Independent

The video report from Djibouti -- intended for Arab, not Western, consumption -- offers a glimpse into this shift: the narrator affirms the "values of citizenship and identification with the nation-state" as an underlying goal of its charitable works, a premise that would make old-timers at WAMY cringe.

Huffington Post

as a marginalized figure, so he's working with a premise that's very different from mine.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When initiating a discussion or presenting an argument, clearly state your "a working premise" to provide context and direction for your audience.

Common error

Avoid assuming your audience shares your underlying assumptions; explicitly state your "a working premise" to ensure clarity and prevent misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a working premise" functions as a noun phrase. It typically introduces a basic assumption or starting point that guides reasoning or action, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

25%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a working premise" is a noun phrase that introduces a basic assumption used as a starting point. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While it appears across various contexts, it's most commonly found in news, media, and scientific publications. To ensure clarity, explicitly state your working premise to avoid misunderstandings. Alternatives include "a basic assumption" or "a fundamental principle".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a basic assumption

Focuses on the foundational nature of the assumption, simplifying the concept.

a fundamental principle

Emphasizes the core belief or doctrine that guides actions or decisions.

an underlying assumption

Highlights that the assumption is not always explicitly stated but is present.

a starting point

Indicates the initial stage or idea from which reasoning or development begins.

a guiding principle

Stresses the role of the premise in directing thought or action.

a primary postulate

Refers to a self-evident truth or axiom used as a basis for reasoning.

a central tenet

Highlights the core belief or doctrine that guides actions or decisions.

a basic tenet

Highlights the foundational, core part of the sentence.

initial hypothesis

More formal and directly refers to a specific hypothesis that is first proposed.

preliminary concept

Emphasizes the concept is still developing, not yet fully defined.

FAQs

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

You can use "a working premise" to introduce a foundational assumption or starting point for an argument or discussion. For example, "Our working premise is that increased access to technology will improve educational outcomes."

What are some alternatives to "a working premise"?

You can use alternatives like "a basic assumption", "a fundamental principle", or "a guiding principle" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "a working premise" or "an underlying assumption"?

Both "a working premise" and "an underlying assumption" are valid, but "a working premise" implies a deliberate, consciously chosen starting point, whereas "an underlying assumption" might be implicit or less explicitly stated.

What's the difference between a premise and "a working premise"?

A premise is a general statement assumed to be true, while "a working premise" is a specific, often temporary, assumption used as a foundation for a particular project or discussion. It suggests that the premise may be subject to revision based on the progress or outcome of the work.