as a premise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a premise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when establishing a foundational idea or assumption that supports an argument or theory. Example: "In this discussion, we will consider the concept of free will as a premise for our analysis of moral responsibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We wrote it as a premise sketch.

The New York Times - Arts

Using it as a premise for self-indulgence is not.

The New York Times - Books

There aren't enough potential readers in Manhattan to justify radical Manhattanism as a premise.

The New Yorker

His need, too, is understandable, but as a premise for continuing this war, it is unconscionable.

The New York Times

As a premise for a television series, this one isn't half bad.

The New York Times - Arts

There were no ancient equivalents of wars using religion as a premise (the crusades or jihad).

The Guardian - Books

(Last year's Slow West didn't have too much more as a premise, and it's fantastic).

The Guardian - Film

As a premise, it's way too easy to mock – but worth a try for any Kutcher or sitcom superfans.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

As a premise for a novel about the constraints upon young love, this could hardly be objected to.

The Guardian - Books

With this legal fiction as a premise, the Court moves inexorably to the conclusion that the confessions were not induced by any promise to the defendants.

Cornell University

The project was part of an experiment by the New Youth City Learning Network, which takes as a premise that most children already exist in a digital world.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "as a premise" when introducing factual information that can be presented directly. Instead, reserve it for assumptions or foundational principles.

Common error

Avoid using "as a premise" to introduce easily verifiable facts or self-evident statements. Overusing the phrase in such contexts can make your writing sound overly formal or pretentious. For example, instead of saying "As a premise, water is essential for life," simply state "Water is essential for life."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a premise" functions as a prepositional phrase that serves to introduce a foundational statement or assumption upon which an argument, theory, or idea is built. It indicates a starting point for reasoning. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a premise" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce a foundational assumption or starting point in an argument, theory, or discussion. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse fields, including science, news, media, and academia. While generally neutral to formal, it often appears in contexts requiring analytical rigor and clarity. When writing, ensure the premise is clearly stated and relevant to your point, and avoid overusing it with simple statements. Related phrases like "given that" or "on the assumption that" can be used as alternatives, depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

given that

This alternative indicates that something is accepted as a starting point.

accepting as a basis that

This alternative indicates accepting something as a fundamental concept.

on the assumption that

This alternative highlights the act of assuming something to be true as a basis.

taking as a given that

This alternative stresses the acceptance of something without question.

with the understanding that

This alternative suggests a shared agreement on a foundational point.

using as a foundation that

This alternative focuses on using a concept to build something else.

based on the hypothesis that

This alternative emphasizes a more formal, testable foundation.

presupposing that

This alternative indicates an assumption that is implicitly taken for granted.

assuming the validity of

This alternative focuses on the acceptance of something as valid.

positing that

This alternative suggests a formal proposal of an idea as a foundation.

FAQs

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

You can use "as a premise" to introduce a foundational assumption or starting point for an argument. For example, "As a premise, let's assume that all humans are inherently good."

What are some alternatives to "as a premise"?

Some alternatives include "given that", "on the assumption that", or "based on the hypothesis that", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "as a premise"?

It is appropriate to use "as a premise" when you want to explicitly state the foundational assumption upon which your argument or reasoning is based. This is useful in academic writing, philosophical discussions, and other contexts where clarity and precision are important.

What is the difference between "as a premise" and "as a hypothesis"?

"As a premise" generally refers to a statement assumed to be true for the sake of argument. "As a hypothesis", on the other hand, refers to a testable explanation for a phenomenon. While a hypothesis can be used "as a premise", not all premises are hypotheses.