main premise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'main premise' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a central argument, theory, or idea. For example: "The main premise of the essay is that the government needs to invest in renewable energy sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His main premise is not particularly new.

The New Yorker

"Children being empowered is the main premise of all children's literature," she explains.

The Guardian - Books

To understand anything beyond the main premise, I had to look up words in the dictionary.

The New Yorker

His main premise is that young people will tune out educators if their real concerns are left in the shadows.

The New York Times - Magazine

A main premise of the bill is that banks need to hold more capital to absorb losses.

The New York Times

The report's main premise -- that violence can be studied as a health problem and prevented in much the same way as disease -- is not new.

The New York Times

Network executives said that they were not happy with the scripts they were receiving from the producers but that they expected to keep the main premise.

The New York Times - Arts

EnronOwnsTheGOP.com takes as its main premise that the Republican Party is a wholly owned subsidiary of Enron, the bankrupt energy trading company based in Houston.

The New York Times

Jeff Fagnan, general partner of Atlas Venture in Waltham, Mass., which provides seed money for young businesses, said he agreed with the study's main premise.

The New York Times

The debate has exposed a rift over the main premise behind nearly two decades of intermittent war in Chechnya and the rest of the North Caucasus.

The New York Times

I must point out that the main premise of Nathan Heller's review of "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" (Aug. 26) is based on a misunderstanding.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "main premise", ensure it's clearly articulated and easily identifiable for your audience. A strong "main premise" provides a solid foundation for your argument or narrative.

Common error

Avoid presenting the "main premise" without sufficient evidence or reasoning. A well-defined premise requires robust support to be convincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "main premise" functions primarily as a noun phrase that identifies the core foundational statement or assumption upon which an argument, theory, or narrative is based. It's used to pinpoint the central idea, as indicated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "main premise" is a versatile noun phrase that signifies the central idea or assumption underpinning an argument or narrative. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. The phrase functions to clearly establish the core concept, ensuring focused communication. While it's essential to support the "main premise" with adequate evidence and reasoning, alternative expressions like "central assumption" or "core principle" can be used to add nuance. Overall, mastering the effective use of "main premise" enhances clarity and coherence in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Central assumption

Emphasizes the underlying belief or supposition upon which an argument or theory is built.

Core principle

Highlights the fundamental truth or law that serves as the basis for reasoning or action.

Key argument

Focuses on the main point or line of reasoning presented in support of a claim.

Underlying hypothesis

Stresses the tentative explanation or proposition made as a basis for further investigation.

Fundamental concept

Points to the basic idea or notion that is essential to understanding a subject.

Primary thesis

Highlights the main statement or theory put forward as a topic for discussion or proof.

Basic tenet

Emphasizes a principle or belief held as true.

Essential proposition

Focuses on a statement that expresses a judgment or opinion and is crucial to an argument.

Starting point

Indicates the initial assumption or idea from which reasoning or discussion begins.

Overarching idea

Refers to the main, comprehensive concept that encompasses all aspects of something.

FAQs

How can I effectively introduce the "main premise" in an essay?

Start with a clear statement early in your introduction. You can use phrases like, "The "main premise" of this essay is..." or "This paper argues from the "main premise" that...". Make sure it's concise and sets the stage for your argument.

What's the difference between a "main premise" and a supporting argument?

The "main premise" is the overarching claim or foundation of your argument. Supporting arguments are the individual points or pieces of evidence that bolster and validate the /s/main+premise. Think of the "main premise" as the trunk of a tree, and supporting arguments as the branches.

Can the "main premise" be implicit rather than explicitly stated?

While it's possible, it's generally best to state your "main premise" explicitly for clarity. An implicit premise relies on the reader to infer your central argument, which can lead to misunderstandings. Directness enhances the impact of your writing.

What are some alternative phrases to "main premise" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use "central assumption", "core principle", or "key argument". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.