flawed premise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flawed premise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an argument, theory, or idea that is based on incorrect or faulty assumptions. Example: "The author's conclusion is based on a flawed premise that overlooks key evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"But that is what Prevent is based on – an unverifiable, flawed premise".

The Guardian

The movie, adapted from a novel by Andre Dubus III, is the nearly flawless execution of a deeply flawed premise.

The New York Times

This is a tragically flawed premise, and it is time we abandoned it and made the shift to a third era: customer-driven capitalism.

Harvard Business Review

"House of Sand and Fog," which opens today in New York and Los Angeles, is the nearly flawless execution of a deeply flawed premise.

The New York Times

But Assembly GOP Leader Chad Mayes of Yucca Valley called it a "fundamentally flawed" premise to assume that new taxes were a prerequisite on either issue.

Los Angeles Times

It's a flawed premise, a flaw perhaps best articulated by Trey Parker and Matt Stone from the cartoon South Park.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Buffet's flawed premises determine his equally-flawed judgment on wealth, its source, and its disposition.

Forbes

Exit testing relies on several related, flawed premises.

The Washington Post

No, Scott, what hurts the troops the most is when the war they are fighting is founded on a bunch of incorrect, distinctly flawed premises.

Huffington Post

While the assiduity of Castleberry et al in compiling and analysing this huge data assemblage is commendable, regrettably, their conclusion that population CT screening is more cost-effective than symptomatic tumour identification at improving lung cancer (LC) outcomes is based on three demonstrably flawed premises: Survival is a valid metric of LC screening efficacy.

British Journal of Cancer

Which isn't to say that, even if the casts and sets were flawed, the basic premise somehow lacked merit.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flawed premise" when you want to highlight that the entire foundation of an argument or idea is incorrect, not just a small detail.

Common error

Avoid using "flawed premise" when only a detail or aspect of an argument is wrong. A "flawed premise" implies a fundamental problem with the core assumption, not a superficial mistake. For instance, using the phrase to describe a calculation error isn't the correct usage of the expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flawed premise" functions as a noun phrase that describes a faulty or incorrect basis for an argument, idea, or system. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct. It is typically used to point out a fundamental error in reasoning or planning.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "flawed premise" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an incorrect or faulty foundation for an argument, idea, or system. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is usable in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When using "flawed premise", it's important to clearly identify and explain why the premise is flawed, providing evidence to support your claim. Alternatives such as "faulty assumption" or "incorrect basis" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faulty assumption

Focuses on the incorrect assumption being the problem.

incorrect basis

Highlights that the foundation or base is wrong.

unsound foundation

Emphasizes that the groundwork is not solid or reliable.

defective reasoning

Draws attention to the flawed logic used to reach a conclusion.

invalid proposition

Indicates that the statement or claim is not valid.

tenuous argument

Suggests that the argument is weak and easily challenged.

weak justification

Implies that the supporting evidence or reason is inadequate.

questionable assumption

Raises doubts about the validity of the assumption.

dubious proposition

Indicates that the proposition is suspect or uncertain.

misguided principle

Focuses on how a leading principle is itself flawed.

FAQs

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

You can use "flawed premise" to describe a situation where the foundation of an argument or plan is incorrect. For example, "The project failed because it was based on a "flawed premise" that the market would grow exponentially."

What is a more formal synonym for "flawed premise"?

A more formal synonym for "flawed premise" could be "invalid proposition" or "unsound foundation". These options are suitable for academic or professional contexts.

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

While both terms imply an error, "flawed premise" suggests a more fundamental defect in the basis of an argument or plan, while "false assumption" may refer to a single incorrect belief. The former has a more global scope.

When is it appropriate to use the term "flawed premise"?

Use "flawed premise" when you want to emphasize that an entire system of thought or action is based on an incorrect or unsustainable foundation. It's appropriate when the foundational belief is demonstrably wrong.