main premise is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "main premise is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when introducing the central idea or argument of a discussion, essay, or analysis. Example: "The main premise is that climate change poses a significant threat to global biodiversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

His main premise is not particularly new.

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

The term constitutionalist holds various meanings and incorporates numerous philosophies, but the main premise is that the government derives its powers from the Constitution.

The Washington Post

Holland's main premise is that I am part of a "flurry of speculation" that is without basis in fact, and that there was no federal involvement in the crackdown.

The Guardian - Opinion

The main premise is obviously empirical, even though I am reasoning deductively.

SEP

Their main premise is that variations in house-keeping gene expression are due to technical sources, however, this is not always valid due to variations in RNA content.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Fignon's main premise was that cycling was "a living, breathing art", a world that created "complete men rather than just sportsmen", and that it had been robbed of much of its magic by the demands of sponsors and the widespread use of the blood-boosting drug erythropoietin, which he contrasted with his own amateurish use of cortisone and amphetamine.

The Guardian - Sport

Its main premise was that an important part of a teacher's job is to help the pupil to develop an inbuilt "crap detector" which would lead them to challenge attempts to influence them unduly by, for example, presenting opinion as fact in newspapers, broadcasting or indeed the classroom.

The Guardian

And went on to explain her main premise, which was....,You can just say, "I'm too old for this" to almost anything which aggravates you.

Huffington Post

This premise is the main idea of the work and we will assess the LES capabilities of the novel split form DG approach when applied to shock-free, moderate Mach number turbulence.

Journal of Computational Physics

A basic premise is that the main interest groups must be represented from all levels, particularly top government officials.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing a complex argument, clearly state the "main premise is" before delving into supporting details. This provides a roadmap for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "main premise is" for self-evident statements. Reserve it for introducing non-trivial or potentially controversial foundational ideas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "main premise is" functions as an introductory phrase, commonly used to signal the foundation or core assumption upon which an argument, theory, or discussion is built. Ludwig AI confirms its proper and effective use in academic and journalistic contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "main premise is" serves as a straightforward and grammatically sound method for introducing a central idea or assumption. Ludwig AI validates its proper use, particularly in journalistic, scientific, and academic domains. While relatively rare, its clarity makes it a useful tool for structuring arguments and clarifying foundational concepts. Alternatives include "the central argument is" and "the core assumption is". Use this phrase judiciously to avoid overstating the obvious and always ensure it accurately reflects the core idea being presented.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the central argument is

Replaces "premise" with "argument", focusing on the core reasoning.

the core assumption is

Emphasizes the underlying belief or supposition.

the fundamental idea is

Highlights the basic or essential concept.

the key proposition is

Focuses on the statement being put forward for consideration.

the underlying principle is

Stresses the foundational rule or guideline.

the basic tenet is

Highlights the principle or belief held as true.

the primary thesis is

Emphasizes the main argument or point being made.

the starting point is

Focuses on the initial assumption or basis.

the essential concept is

Highlights the crucial idea or notion.

the overarching theme is

Emphasizes the dominant subject or message.

FAQs

How can I use "main premise is" in a sentence?

Use "main premise is" to introduce the most important idea or assumption in your argument. For example, "The "main premise is" that increased access to education leads to economic growth".

What are some alternatives to using "main premise is"?

You can use alternatives such as "the central argument is", "the core assumption is", or "the "fundamental idea is"" to introduce your main point.

What's the difference between "main premise is" and "conclusion is"?

"Main premise is" introduces the foundational assumption, while "the conclusion is" summarizes the final point after reasoning. Premises build towards a conclusion.

Is it redundant to say "the main premise is the main idea"?

Yes, it is somewhat redundant. Using either "the "main premise is"" or "the main idea is" suffices to introduce the central concept.