premise upon which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "premise upon which" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the foundational idea or argument that supports a conclusion or theory. Example: "The entire argument is built on a premise upon which we can all agree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The unfortunate underlying premise upon which this concept is based is that women and minorities are still generally considered "outliers" where positions of authority and power are concerned.

The New York Times

The greatest taboo that surrounds the Israeli-Palestinian conflict seems to be making any mention of the premise upon which Israel was born: by wiping out Palestine.

The Guardian - Opinion

To tar all Israelis with one negative brush – and to paint, by extension, all Palestinians as whiter than white – is an entirely false premise upon which to base one's opinion.

The Guardian - Opinion

But actually, I think this white paper is not a reflection of ministers' enthusiasm for the academy programme launched by Michael Gove six years ago, but rather is driven by the mounting evidence that the premise upon which that flagship policy was built is deeply flawed.

The Guardian

Reviewing the history of secularization in the West since the Renaissance, Bonhoeffer asked whether humanity's increasing ability to cope with its problems without the hypothesis of God might not indicate the obsolescence of the "religious premise" upon which Christianity had hitherto been based.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At least that's the premise upon which The Athletic is building its business.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"In short, the very premises upon which this proposed merger rest are themselves without foundation," Mr. Powell said.

The New York Times

This, of course, contradicts one of the premises upon which family medicine is built, but it does avoid such painful conflicts of interest.

The New York Times - Magazine

He felt that inductive reasoning provided the general premises upon which deduction had to be based and that deduction resulted in generalizations or laws which then had to be tested by inductive procedures.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The conduct of the defendant officers in restraining, arresting and imprisoning plaintiffs was totally without probable cause and was done maliciously, falsely and in bad faith," the suit states, adding: "It was the defendants who dragged them into the bank — the premises upon which they had allegedly trespassed — to arrest them".

The New York Times

Moralist, libertarian and relativist ethical positions concerning suicide and its prevention are presented in order to clarify premises upon which ethical issues in suicide research may be resolved.

International Journal of Law and Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "premise upon which" to clearly indicate the fundamental assumption or basis that an argument or idea is built on. This enhances clarity and strengthens the logical structure of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "premise upon which" in overly convoluted sentences where the connection between the premise and the subsequent argument becomes unclear. Simplify the sentence structure to ensure the relationship is easily understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "premise upon which" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing the foundational idea or assumption that supports a subsequent argument, theory, or action. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "premise upon which" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to introduce the fundamental basis for an argument or idea. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. Its prevalence in news, scientific, and encyclopedia sources suggests a formal to neutral register. When writing, remember to use this phrase to clearly establish the foundation of your reasoning. Consider related phrases like "foundation on which" or "basis on which" for stylistic variation. By avoiding overly complex sentence structures, you can ensure the connection between the premise and the subsequent argument remains clear and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foundation on which

Focuses on the underlying support rather than the initial assumption.

basis on which

Emphasizes the reason or justification something is based on.

groundwork for which

Highlights the preparatory work or initial stages.

underlying assumption of

Directly points to the unstated belief supporting something.

principle on which

Refers to a fundamental rule or belief serving as a base.

reason for which

Focuses on the cause or explanation for something.

rationale behind

Highlights the logical basis or justification.

assumption that underlies

Emphasizes the support below a surface understanding.

cornerstone of

Highlights the indispensable element.

the bedrock of

Highlights the fundamental element.

FAQs

How can I use "premise upon which" in a sentence?

The phrase "premise upon which" is used to introduce the foundational idea or assumption that something is based on. For example, "The argument rests on the premise upon which all participants agree."

What are some alternatives to "premise upon which"?

You can use alternatives like "foundation on which", "basis on which", or "underlying assumption of" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "premise upon which" or simply "premise"?

Using "premise upon which" emphasizes the direct connection between the premise and what follows. While "premise" alone is acceptable, the longer phrase can add clarity in complex arguments.

What is the difference between "premise upon which" and "assumption upon which"?

While similar, "premise upon which" often implies a more formally stated or recognized starting point, whereas "assumption upon which" might suggest a less explicit or potentially unproven belief.