accept the premise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accept the premise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a foundational idea or assumption that is being agreed upon in an argument or discussion. Example: "In order to move forward with the debate, we must first accept the premise that climate change is a significant threat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I was foolish to accept the premise of the question.

The Guardian

"But I do believe and accept the premise that it's worse now".

The New York Times

"They accept the premise that it is de facto legal anyway," Mr. Lehane said.

The New York Times

As readers, we happily accept the premise for the sake of the narrative pleasure it yields.

The New York Times - Books

Even if you accept the premise, it's a complete non sequitur.

The Washington Post

Geithner, despite a distance of six years, won't accept the premise.

The Guardian - Money

Ms. Chamberlin, the daughter of a Marine Corps officer, did not accept the premise.

The New York Times

It is not a good start if half your target audience will not accept the premise of your questions.

Independent

"We should all accept the premise that residential and liberal arts institutions are the gold standard," he said.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Needless to say, those most closely involved in the Judas gospel project would not accept the premises of that question.

The New York Times

There are likely to be millions of Americans who accept the premises of this argument (1, 2a, 2b) but quite rightly see no reason to vote for Romney.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience when using this phrase. In more formal settings, alternatives like "acknowledge the premise" or "grant the premise" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "accept the premise" when you actually mean to accept the conclusion. The premise is the foundation upon which an argument is built, not the result of the argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accept the premise" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence. It indicates an action of agreement or acknowledgement toward a foundational assumption. As per Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "accept the premise" is a grammatically correct and frequently employed expression used to indicate agreement with a foundational assumption in discussions and arguments. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage across various contexts, from news and media to academia. Alternatives like "acknowledge the premise" and "agree with the premise" offer nuanced ways to express similar meanings. When using this phrase, ensure the premise is well-defined and consider the formality of the context. Avoid confusing the premise with the conclusion, and be mindful of the potential for misinterpretation. By adhering to these guidelines, you can effectively use "accept the premise" to facilitate clear and productive communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agree with the premise

Directly expresses alignment and concurrence with the premise.

acknowledge the premise

Focuses on recognizing the validity or truth of the premise.

concede the premise

Emphasizes yielding or admitting the premise, often reluctantly.

assume the premise

Suggests accepting the premise provisionally or for the sake of argument.

grant the premise

Implies a formal or official acceptance of the premise.

validate the premise

Highlights that the premise is proved to be true.

embrace the premise

Indicates a willing and enthusiastic acceptance of the premise.

buy into the premise

Suggests adopting the premise as a personal belief or conviction.

affirm the premise

Emphasizes a strong and public declaration of agreement with the premise.

take as a given the premise

Highlights that the premise is treated as an established fact.

FAQs

How can I use "accept the premise" in a sentence?

You can use "accept the premise" to indicate agreement with a foundational assumption in an argument. For example, "Before we can debate the solution, we must first "agree to the premise" that there is a problem."

What are some alternatives to "accept the premise"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "acknowledge the premise", "agree with the premise", or "concede the premise".

Is it correct to say "accept to the premise"?

No, the correct phrase is "accept the premise". The preposition "to" is not needed and would be grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "accept the premise" and "assume the premise"?

"Accept the premise" implies agreement with the premise, while "assume the premise" suggests using it as a starting point for discussion, without necessarily believing it to be true.