underlying premise

USAGE SUMMARY

"underlying premise" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to an assumption or belief that lies just beneath the surface but forms the basis for something else. For example, "The underlying premise of the book was that everyone is capable of success, no matter their circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

In the light of this, we accept that the underlying premise of our articles were wrong.

The Guardian

"Take that as the underlying premise, that cycles, as our market has evolved, are a given.

The New York Times

Still, the underlying premise that you should diversify across time will strike most people as sound.

The New York Times

It probably won't get passed, but its underlying premise cannot be dislodged from the Washington conversation.

The New York Times

Either way, the underlying premise of the rumors remains that a Muslim is unfit to be president.

The New York Times

I believe in its existence, and am comfortable representing cases in which witchcraft is the underlying premise.

The Guardian

At a debate in October, however, Mr. Romney disagreed with the underlying premise of the president's payroll tax break.

The New York Times

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

This, at least, is the underlying premise of "Exposed: The Victorian Nude," an entertaining exhibition running through Jan . 27in Tate Britain's Linbury Galleries, the museum's new extension.

The New York Times - Arts

The underlying premise of Chaon's book seems to be that, in the modern world, identity has become so fluid as to no longer necessarily exist.

The New York Times - Books

Third, in all of its post-Miranda cases, this court has reaffirmed Miranda's underlying premise, that is that custodial interrogation creates inherently compelling pressures that require some safeguards.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "underlying premise", ensure that the premise is indeed fundamental to the argument or concept being discussed, and not merely a supporting detail. Clarify this relationship for your reader.

Common error

Avoid presenting supporting facts or data as the "underlying premise". The premise should be a foundational assumption, not a piece of evidence used to support a claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underlying premise" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a fundamental assumption or basis upon which something is founded. Ludwig examples show it used to introduce core ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "underlying premise" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote the fundamental assumption or basis upon which an argument, theory, or action is built. According to Ludwig, its prevalence spans across diverse contexts like news, science, and business, reflecting its versatility in conveying foundational concepts. The analysis indicates a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for various professional and academic settings. When incorporating this phrase into your writing, ensure the premise you identify is truly foundational and not a mere supporting detail. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental assumption

Focuses on the foundational nature of the assumption.

basic presupposition

Highlights the assumed truth before reasoning.

foundational principle

Emphasizes the role as a guiding rule or concept.

underlying rationale

Emphasizes the logical basis or justification.

core belief

Highlights the role of belief as its central point.

central tenet

Emphasizes a doctrine or principle.

primary hypothesis

Shifts focus to a testable proposition.

starting point

Highlights initial stage for reasoning.

implicit assumption

Underscores that the assumption is not explicitly stated.

hidden motive

Emphasizes the reasons behind an action.

FAQs

How to use "underlying premise" in a sentence?

You can use "underlying premise" to introduce a foundational assumption or belief upon which an argument, theory, or action is based. For example, "The "underlying premise" of this policy is that all citizens deserve equal access to healthcare".

What can I say instead of "underlying premise"?

You can use alternatives like "fundamental assumption", "basic presupposition", or "foundational principle" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "underlying premise" or "overlying premise"?

"Underlying premise" is the correct term. "Overlying premise" is not a standard or recognized phrase in English. "Underlying" suggests the foundational nature of the premise.

What's the difference between "underlying premise" and "hypothesis"?

An ""underlying premise"" is a foundational assumption, often implicit, upon which an argument or theory is built. A "hypothesis", on the other hand, is a testable proposition put forward to explain a phenomenon.