general premise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "general premise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the foundational idea or assumption that underlies a particular argument, theory, or narrative. Example: "The general premise of the novel revolves around the idea of redemption and personal growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But was the general premise behind Ljubicic's rhetorical question accurate?

The New York Times

We've kind of given away the general premise, which may have been a mistake.

The New York Times

The general premise is that biztainment is an increasingly popular business strategy, applicable to all industries.

Business Horizons

A general premise in science is to start simply to gain understanding and then scale up.

Princeton University

What is the general premise and story line of the movie?

The New York Times

I agree with the general premise that emotion can get in the way of sound financial negotiation and issue resolution.

Harvard University

"Juries acquit because of the general premise that police officers are always acting in the right," he said.

The New York Times

Doesn't Buffett's experience suggest, contrary to Paulos's general premise, that the market is more than a lottery?

The New York Times - Books

I surely agree with Rosario A. Iaconis's general premise that Italian-Americans may constitute the "least respected members of America's ethnic pantheon" ("Ethnic Stereotyping," letter, Jan . 31.

The New York Times

The general premise of this chapter is that mattering is highly relevant to daily life and it is a concept that people can easily relate to and understand.

The Psychology of Mattering Understanding the Human Need to Be Significant

Our general premise is that convertible debt design terms are interrelated and arranged in a manner that signals asymmetric information to market participants.

Journal of Business Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "general premise", ensure the context clearly establishes what the premise refers to. Avoid ambiguity by providing sufficient background information for the reader.

Common error

Avoid making the "general premise" so broad that it becomes meaningless. A useful premise should be specific enough to guide further discussion or analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general premise" functions as a noun phrase that typically introduces or identifies a foundational assumption, idea, or principle upon which an argument, theory, or narrative is based. Ludwig indicates that this usage is correct and commonly found.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "general premise" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that introduces a foundational assumption or idea. As Ludwig points out, it's widely accepted and found across diverse sources. Its strength lies in clearly establishing the underlying concept for further analysis. While "general premise" appears most frequently in scientific, news, and academic contexts, writers should avoid overgeneralizing the premise to ensure its relevance and specificity. Consider alternatives like "basic assumption" or "underlying principle" depending on the nuanced meaning you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basic assumption

Focuses on the underlying assumption rather than the overall idea.

underlying principle

Emphasizes a guiding rule or belief.

fundamental concept

Highlights the core idea or notion.

core assumption

Focuses specifically on the assumptions at the heart of an argument.

basic idea

A more simplified way to express the primary concept.

overall concept

Stresses the broad idea or scheme.

primary notion

Emphasizes the main idea being conveyed.

starting point

Highlights the initial assumption or basis for reasoning.

foundational idea

Emphasizes the role as a base for something else.

central tenet

Focuses on a belief or principle held as true.

FAQs

How to use "general premise" in a sentence?

You can use "general premise" to introduce the underlying assumption or idea of an argument, theory, or narrative. For example: "The "general premise" of the study is that early intervention can improve outcomes."

What can I say instead of "general premise"?

You can use alternatives like "basic assumption", "underlying principle", or "fundamental concept" depending on the context.

Is it okay to say "overall premise" instead of "general premise"?

Yes, "overall premise" is a suitable alternative. It conveys a similar meaning, referring to the main or encompassing assumption.

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

A "general premise" is a foundational assumption or idea, whereas a "hypothesis" is a specific, testable prediction based on that premise.