false premise

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "false premise" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example: The argument that all politicians are corrupt is based on a false premise, as not all politicians engage in unethical behavior.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was a false premise.

The Guardian

But it is a false premise.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the entire bout was based on a false premise.

The New York Times

But their calculation is based on a false premise.

The Guardian - Business

Rejects false premise that PMs deal is default.

The Guardian

This dogma is based on a false premise.

The Economist

The company was sold on a false premise.

The Economist

Mark Lilla's essay "Church Meets State" (May 15) rests on a false premise.

The New York Times

"That assumption is the product of a false premise," Epstein said.

The New York Times - Sports

That history is not just wrong, it is built on a false premise.

The New York Times

The problem is that both positions are grounded in a false premise.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always clarify the "false premise" you are referring to, do not leave it as a general statement. For example, it is better to say "The argument relies on the false premise that all people are motivated by money." instead of just "It relies on a false premise."

Common error

Avoid stating that something is based on a "false premise" without explaining what that premise is and why it's false. Without clarification, the statement loses its impact and can be perceived as an unsubstantiated assertion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "false premise" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a flawed or incorrect proposition upon which an argument or conclusion is based. According to Ludwig, the term is grammatically correct and commonly used. It serves to highlight a logical fallacy or a fundamental error in reasoning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "false premise" is a commonly used noun phrase that identifies a flawed foundation in an argument. Grammatically correct, it serves to critique the validity of a conclusion based on an inaccurate assumption. As highlighted by Ludwig, its use is widespread across diverse fields, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. When employing "false premise", it's crucial to substantiate the claim by clearly explaining the premise and providing evidence to support its falsity. Alternatives like "incorrect assumption" or "flawed assumption" can be used for semantic variation. Be aware of potential vagueness; always clarify the specific "false premise" to maintain the clarity and strength of your analysis. Ludwig AI confirms the accuracy and common usage of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incorrect assumption

Replaces 'premise' with 'assumption', focusing on the incorrectness of the underlying belief.

flawed assumption

Similar to "incorrect assumption", but emphasizes the presence of a flaw in the assumption.

mistaken foundation

Shifts the focus to the 'foundation' being 'mistaken', highlighting the structural weakness of the argument.

unfounded premise

Emphasizes the lack of a solid basis for the premise.

erroneous presupposition

A more formal alternative, using 'presupposition' instead of 'premise' and 'erroneous' instead of 'false'.

invalid basis

Focuses on the 'basis' being 'invalid', suggesting that the argument's groundwork is flawed.

unsound argument

Shifts the focus from the premise to the entire argument being unsound due to a flawed beginning.

deceptive starting point

Highlights the misleading nature of the initial assumption.

specious reasoning

Refers to reasoning that appears correct but is actually fallacious.

fallacious reasoning

Indicates reasoning based on a fallacy.

FAQs

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

The phrase "false premise" is used to indicate that an argument or conclusion is based on an incorrect or untrue assumption. For example, "The politician's economic plan is built on the "false premise" that tax cuts always stimulate economic growth."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "false premise"?

You can use alternatives like "incorrect assumption", "flawed assumption", or "mistaken foundation" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between a "false premise" and a "false assumption"?

While "false premise" and "false assumption" are often used interchangeably, a "premise" is generally a statement assumed to be true that serves as a basis for an argument or inference, whereas an "assumption" is a belief or idea that is taken for granted. Both can be false, but "premise" has a more formal and logical connotation.

Why is identifying a "false premise" important in an argument?

Identifying a "false premise" is crucial because if the underlying assumption is incorrect, the entire argument built upon it is likely to be invalid. Exposing the "false premise" undermines the argument's credibility.