the premises

USAGE SUMMARY

"the premises" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to refer to a location, either physical or abstract. For example: "The premises of the meeting were agreed upon by all participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"One is maintaining the premises.

The New Yorker

None on the premises.

The New York Times

The family quickly left the premises.

The New York Times

Dozens of security guards watch the premises.

The New York Times

Parking on the premises; validation required.

The New York Times

Everything is handmade on the premises.

The New York Times

You were then ushered off the premises.

Independent

Michael took the writer around the premises.

The New Yorker

Many firms ban smoking on the premises.

The Economist

The premises were cleared of visitors.

The New York Times

Owan asked him to leave the premises.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the premises" when you need a formal or legalistic way to refer to a building and its surrounding property. It is particularly useful in contracts, legal documents, or official reports.

Common error

Avoid using "the premises" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "location" or "place" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the premises" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As evidenced by Ludwig, it commonly refers to a physical location, encompassing a building and its surrounding property. In essence, it identifies a specific place or area.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the premises" is a frequently used noun phrase that refers to a building and its surrounding property. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and is best suited for formal or legal contexts. While common in news, media, scientific, and business publications, simpler alternatives may be preferable in informal settings. When writing, remember that "premises" is a plural noun and should be treated accordingly. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "the premises" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the location

Replaces "premises" with a more general term for a place.

the grounds

Similar to "premises", but often refers to the land surrounding a building.

the site

A neutral term for a place where something is located or will be located.

the property

Focuses on the legal ownership of the land and buildings.

the establishment

Refers to a business or organization at a specific location.

the facilities

Emphasizes the resources and services available at a location.

the buildings

Specifically refers to the structures on a piece of land.

the area

A broader term indicating a general region or space.

the setting

Emphasizes the environment or context of a place.

the scene

Often used in narrative or investigative contexts to refer to a place where an event occurred.

FAQs

How can I use "the premises" in a sentence?

You can use "the premises" to refer to a building and the land around it, as in "Smoking is prohibited on "the premises"" or "The investigation took place on "the premises"".

What's a good alternative to "the premises"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "the premises" include "the location", "the site", or "the property". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "the premises"?

It is appropriate to use "the premises" in formal or legal contexts when referring to a building and its surrounding area as a single entity. It is common in legal documents, business correspondence, and official reports.

Is "premises" singular or plural?

"Premises" is a plural noun that refers to a building and its surrounding land. Therefore, it's always used with a plural verb, even when referring to a single location. For example, "The premises are under surveillance".