Premise or Premises?

What Is the Difference between "Premise" and "Premises"?

"Premise" and "premises" are easy to confuse because the plural of "premise" ("premises") has another meaning.

• "Premise" is a basis for a theory. For example:
• Are you sure your theory is based on a solid premise?
• The media's job is to question a premise. (Prankster Joey Skaggs)
• "Premises" are land and buildings. For example:
• The company moved to new premises last year.

More about "Premise" and "Premises"

A "premise" is part of an argument or theory. The plural of "premise" is "premises." This causes confusion because the word "premises" also means land or property.

Premise

The noun "premise" is a term in logic that describes a statement considered to be true for the purpose of an argument or theory. For example:

Obviously, this premise is false. There are black swans.

The verb "to premise" means to presuppose something.

Example sentences with "premise":

• The judge granted the divorce on the premise that the husband had committed adultery.
• I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers. (Ralph Nader)
• They premised that the universe was three billion years old.
(Here, "premise" is being used as a verb.)

Premises

The noun "premises" describes a house or a building. It usually refers to a building that is occupied by a company or an organization.

Example sentences with "premises":

• The police men removed the protesters from the premises.
• Alcohol is forbidden on these premises.

Beware

The plural of the word "premise" is "premises." When you see the word "premises," it should be clear from the context whether it means propositions in an argument or a property.

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