set the premise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set the premise" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to describe an action of establishing the basis for a plan or story. For example, "The author set the premise for the story when they introduced the main character and their quest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If you set the premise that it's impossible to compete with giants, then the only real alternative is to combine with one of the giants.

The New Yorker

It starts off with piano and all of that to set the premise of the tune and then I gave the whale the ride solo.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This will make it harder for the ELSA researchers to set the premises for the research.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

In his opening speech, Mr. Baldwin, as Jackson, sets the premise for the proceedings: "That four great nations, flushed with victory and stung with injury, stay the hand of vengeance and voluntarily submit their captive enemies to the judgment of the law is one of the most significant tributes that power has ever paid to reason".

The New York Times

Moreover, the biologically coherent information observed so far using PIE sets the premise to predict genes that might be relevant to HMPV-infection biology but not yet expressed at the particular time point of infection being studied.

Bioinformatics

A complex interaction between the authors of primary and secondary literature, generated in part by the tenuous distinction between treatment and enhancement that sets the premise for the CE debate, and in part by the presence of widespread expectations and social pressures, may contribute to this phenomenon.

BMC Medical Ethics

Compared to the MCP and the NCP, what do these three normative parameters of the ICP tell us in relation to setting the premises for a policy paradigm change?

Comparative Migration Studies

Corporeal Feminism [8, 23, 38] which developed in the mid-to-late Nineties, set the theoretical premises for the rise of New Materialism [14, 17], a recent feminist approach within the posthumanist theoretical scenario, which seems to fulfill the necessity outlined by Johnson.

European Journal of Futures Research

The first volume, Dark Eden, set up the premise.

The Guardian - Books

The first episode in the Web series, titled "The Team," serves to set up the premise.

The New York Times

It's kind of a feedback loop and once you set up the premise of the story, everything sort of follows.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "set the premise" in academic or formal writing, ensure that the premise is clearly and concisely stated to avoid ambiguity and provide a solid foundation for subsequent arguments or analyses.

Common error

Avoid vague or overly broad premises. Instead of simply stating a general idea, clearly define the key assumptions and conditions that underpin your argument or narrative when you "set the premise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set the premise" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the action of establishing a foundational statement or assumption upon which an argument, narrative, or analysis is based. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "set the premise" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of establishing a foundational idea or assumption. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, though its frequency is relatively rare. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts, reflecting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the premise is clear and concise to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases include "establish the basis" or "lay the groundwork".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establish the basis

Focuses on creating a foundational element for an argument or idea.

define the starting point

Highlights clarifying the initial stage or concept.

lay the groundwork

Emphasizes preparing the foundation for future developments.

formulate the hypothesis

Specifically relates to developing a testable proposition.

establish the foundation

Highlights establishing a firm and stable base.

present the concept

Focuses on introducing an idea or notion.

outline the framework

Emphasizes the structural aspect of an initial idea.

introduce the idea

Highlights the action of presenting a new concept.

stipulate the condition

Focuses on setting a specific requirement or prerequisite.

posit the assumption

Emphasizes presenting a starting point taken as true.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "set the premise" in a sentence?

To effectively use "set the premise", ensure you clearly establish the foundational idea or assumption upon which your argument, story, or analysis rests. For example, "The researcher "set the premise" by outlining the core principles of quantum physics before delving into complex theories".

What are some alternatives to using "set the premise" in my writing?

Alternatives to "set the premise" include phrases like "establish the basis", "lay the groundwork", or "define the starting point", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "set the premise" or "set the premises"?

While "set the premise" refers to establishing a single foundational idea, "set the premises" implies establishing multiple foundational assumptions or conditions. The choice depends on whether you're establishing one central idea or a "set of premises".

What is the difference between "setting up the premise" and "set the premise"?

"Setting up the premise" is a more informal and dynamic way to describe the act of introducing or preparing the audience for the underlying idea. "Set the premise" is a more formal and definitive way of stating that the foundation has been established. Both "setup the premise" and "set the premise" are correct and usable.