central premise

USAGE SUMMARY

"central premise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the most important concept or argument in a discussion. For example, "The central premise of her argument was that the government should have stricter regulations on student loans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Was the central premise real or invented?

The Guardian

However, his central premise is an arresting and disturbing one.

The Economist

They used his framework but dropped its central premise.

The New York Times

Around this central premise, the film spins other, weirder notions.

The New York Times

That inference from our past cases was the central premise of the California Supreme Court's opinion.

Cornell University

"A central premise of the game is that the prisoners can't communicate," he noted.

The New York Times

Its central premise: just being in it for the money won't make you a successful entrepreneur.

The Economist

Please talk briefly about the central premise and why you decided to write this now.

The Washington Post

Its central premise is that la séduction is at the heart of French life.

The New York Times - Books

And its central premise, that physicists are murderers, simply becomes more and more baldly stated.

The New York Times

A central premise in the literature on leadership highlights its central role in organizational change.

The Leadership Quarterly

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "central premise" to clearly articulate the most important idea that underpins your argument or analysis. This helps readers quickly grasp the core of your message.

Common error

Avoid presenting the "central premise" as the final conclusion. Ensure that the premise serves as a foundation upon which the conclusion is built logically.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "central premise" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the core underlying assumption or argument. It serves to encapsulate the foundational idea upon which a theory, discussion, or analysis is constructed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

30%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "central premise" is a versatile and frequently used term to identify the core underlying assumption or argument. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts such as news, science, and academia. When using "central premise", ensure that it is presented as the foundation for your argument and avoid confusing it with the conclusion. Alternatives like "core assumption" or "main argument" can be used for variety, but "central premise" remains a clear and effective choice for formal and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

core assumption

Focuses on the underlying belief taken for granted.

main argument

Highlights the primary claim being made.

key concept

Emphasizes the fundamental idea or notion.

underlying principle

Stresses the foundational rule or law.

basic tenet

Refers to a fundamental belief or doctrine.

fundamental proposition

Highlights the essential statement or assertion.

foundational idea

Emphasizes the base or groundwork for further development.

primary hypothesis

Specifically denotes a testable explanation in scientific context.

starting point

Highlights the initial assumption of a logical development.

overarching theme

Focuses on the dominant idea across multiple elements.

FAQs

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

You can use "central premise" to introduce the main idea or argument of a text, for example: "The "central premise" of this study is that early intervention can significantly improve outcomes."

What phrases can I use instead of "central premise"?

Alternatives to "central premise" include "core assumption", "main argument", or "key concept", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "central premise" and "hypothesis"?

While both are foundational, a "central premise" is a broad underlying assumption or argument, whereas a "primary hypothesis" is a specific, testable statement used in scientific inquiry.

Is it appropriate to use "central premise" in formal writing?

Yes, "central premise" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in academic, scientific, and professional contexts where clarity and precision are valued.