absurd premise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absurd premise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a foundational idea or assumption that is considered unreasonable or illogical in a particular context. Example: "The entire argument falls apart because it is based on an absurd premise that no rational person would accept."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Entertainment

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

An absurd premise.

The New Yorker

Darren Star's "Younger," on TV Land, has an even more absurd premise.

The New Yorker

Rich's special genius is his ability to nest an absurd premise in an otherwise ordinary situation.

The Washington Post

A movie like this can survive an absurd premise but not incompetent execution.

The New York Times

I ask about its bleakly absurd premise, the story of two boys abandoned in a chicken coop.

Independent

But what makes the ad memorable besides its absurd premise -- a ferret and a slacker who hate each other?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

"I like taking absurd premises and trying to make them work," he said.

The New York Times

It seems perfectly ridiculous to me too, but I think, given the absurd premises of the TSA, their conduct was totally logical.Perfectly ridiculous indeed.

The Economist

In the Bab Ballads and his early plays, Gilbert developed a unique "topsy-turvy" style in which humour was derived by setting up a ridiculous premise and working out its logical consequences, however absurd.

Wikipedia

During this time, Gilbert perfected the 'topsy-turvy' style that he had been developing in his Bab Ballads, where the humour was derived by setting up a ridiculous premise and working out its logical consequences, however absurd.

Wikipedia

The cuts are premised on the absurd assumption that market forces are beyond human control.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absurd premise" to critique or analyze arguments, narratives, or plans, emphasizing their flawed foundation.

Common error

Avoid using "absurd premise" merely to express disagreement. Ensure the premise genuinely defies logic or reason, rather than simply clashing with your opinion or belief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absurd premise" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "absurd" modifies the noun "premise". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and frequently used. It serves to identify a foundational idea or assumption deemed unreasonable or illogical.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Books

15%

Entertainment

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "absurd premise" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe an illogical or unreasonable foundational idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a suitable phrase for analytical and critical contexts. Common usage includes identifying flaws in arguments, narratives, or plans, particularly in news and media. Alternatives include "ludicrous assumption" and "ridiculous proposition". When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the illogical nature of the premise to avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ludicrous assumption

Replaces 'premise' with 'assumption' and 'absurd' with 'ludicrous', emphasizing the foolishness of the idea.

ridiculous proposition

Substitutes 'premise' with 'proposition' and 'absurd' with 'ridiculous', highlighting the unreasonableness of the initial statement.

preposterous notion

Changes 'premise' to 'notion' and 'absurd' to 'preposterous', stressing the outlandish nature of the concept.

implausible starting point

Replaces 'absurd premise' with a descriptive phrase that focuses on the lack of believability in the initial idea.

untenable hypothesis

Uses 'untenable hypothesis' instead of "absurd premise", suggesting that the starting point is indefensible.

illogical foundation

Replaces "absurd premise" with "illogical foundation" and emphasizes that the base idea doesn't have any logic.

flimsy basis

Substitutes "absurd premise" with "flimsy basis", underlining the weakness and lack of substance in the initial assumption.

outlandish presupposition

Changes "absurd premise" with "outlandish presupposition", emphasizing the weird and strange nature of the idea.

baseless argument

Replaces "absurd premise" with "baseless argument", underlining the lack of support for the initial assertion.

fallacious assumption

Changes "absurd premise" to "fallacious assumption", indicating that the starting point is based on incorrect reasoning.

FAQs

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

You can use "absurd premise" to describe an illogical or unreasonable starting point in an argument, story, or situation. For example, "The movie's plot relies on the "absurd premise" that cats can talk."

What are some alternatives to "absurd premise"?

Alternatives include "ludicrous assumption", "ridiculous proposition", or "preposterous notion". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "absurd premise" or "absurd premises"?

"Absurd premise" is singular, referring to one unreasonable starting point. "Absurd premises" is plural, referring to multiple unreasonable starting points. Choose the form that matches the number of premises you are discussing.

How does an "absurd premise" affect an argument?

An "absurd premise" weakens an argument because the conclusion is built on an illogical or unreasonable foundation. This makes the entire argument unreliable.