radical premise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "radical premise" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a fundamental or extreme idea or belief that forms the basis of an argument or theory. Example: The book presents a radical premise that challenges traditional societal norms and calls for a complete restructuring of the education system.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Yet as if to make up for such a radical premise, it then backtracks into stereotype.

The Guardian - Opinion

The authors write in a mild tone that soft-pedals their radical premise that architecture ought to be profoundly different.

The New York Times

Then owned by the cocky Ted Turner, it was built on a radical premise that has come to seem obvious in the internet era: that people wanted immediate, 24-hour access to news and comment.

The Economist

The radical premise of our nation is that one people can be made from many, yet in each new generation we find reasons to limit who those "many" can be — to wall off access to America, literally or figuratively.

The New Yorker

If he signs the bill, he has embraced an extremely radical premise that will probably widen the gender gap by at least 10 points if he's the GOP presidential nominee.

The Guardian - Opinion

And Ms. Stanton-Paule's program here is based on the somewhat radical premise that with intensive coaching in the workplace and community -- and some stretching by others to include them -- students like Justin can achieve a level of lifelong independence that has eluded their predecessors.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Some of them created idioms that were radical in their premises yet part of the continuum of music stretching from plainchant through the Second Viennese School.

The New York Times - Arts

There aren't enough potential readers in Manhattan to justify radical Manhattanism as a premise.

The New Yorker

Again and again, after starting from an ancient premise of radical difference between humans and other creatures, scientists have discovered profound similarities among us all, profound enough to undermine the initial arrogance and the false self-knowledge of that premise.

The New York Times

Despite the accusations of his critics, it seems clear that Hus did not draw from this premise the radical conclusion that sacraments administered by a hypocritical priest or bishop or pope were invalid in themselves; the priestly office and the sacraments retained their objective validity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sifton also had tips for dealing with some of the particular "crises" you may encounter, how to cope with them practically and emotionally and how to practice what Sifton calls "radical acceptance of the premise of the day".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "radical premise", ensure the context clearly establishes the subject area and the degree to which the premise deviates from conventional thinking. Provide sufficient background information to clarify why the premise is considered radical.

Common error

Avoid using "radical premise" for ideas that are merely innovative or progressive. The term implies a significant departure from established norms, and overuse can diminish its impact. Reserve it for genuinely groundbreaking or controversial assumptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "radical premise" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "radical" modifies the noun "premise". It serves to identify a foundational assumption that deviates significantly from conventional or established ideas. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to introduce an unconventional belief or idea.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "radical premise" is a common and grammatically correct term used to denote an unconventional or extreme foundational assumption. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately describes the phrase and its function. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, the phrase serves to highlight ideas that challenge established norms. When using "radical premise", ensure the context clearly supports the use of such a strong term and accurately reflects the significant departure from conventional thinking. Alternatives like "extreme assumption" or "revolutionary concept" can be used depending on the specific nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extreme assumption

Replaces "radical" with "extreme", emphasizing the intensity of the assumption.

fundamental hypothesis

Substitutes "premise" with "hypothesis", framing it as a testable proposition, and replaces "radical" with "fundamental", emphasizing its importance.

revolutionary concept

Replaces both words, focusing on the groundbreaking nature of the idea.

unconventional basis

Highlights the non-traditional nature of the foundation.

novel presupposition

Emphasizes the newness and preconceived nature of the idea.

bold assertion

Focuses on the confident and potentially controversial declaration.

groundbreaking theory

Highlights the innovative aspect of the theory being presented.

innovative postulate

Focuses on the novel and foundational nature of the postulate.

original proposition

Highlights the unique and initial nature of the proposition.

startling assumption

Emphasizes the surprising nature of the assumption.

FAQs

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

You can use "radical premise" to introduce an idea that significantly challenges established norms. For example, "The author's argument rests on the "radical premise" that all forms of government are inherently oppressive".

What are some alternatives to "radical premise"?

Alternatives include "extreme assumption", "revolutionary concept", or "unconventional basis", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "radical premise" in formal writing?

Yes, "radical premise" is appropriate for formal writing when discussing ideas that represent a significant departure from established norms. However, ensure the context supports the use of such a strong term.

What distinguishes a "radical premise" from a "fundamental premise"?

While a fundamental premise is a basic underlying assumption, a "radical premise" implies that this assumption also drastically challenges existing beliefs or practices. The word "radical" highlights the disruptive nature of the premise, implying innovation.