Premise or Premises?

Our Story

Search...

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.
premise or premises?
Got it? Take a quick test.

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:

premise or premises

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.
Ready for the Test?
Here is a confirmatory test for this lesson.

This test can also be:
  • Edited (i.e., you can delete questions and play with the order of the questions).
  • Printed to create a handout.
  • Sent electronically to friends or students.

Help Us To Improve Grammar Monster

  • Do you disagree with something on this page?
  • Did you spot a typo?

See Also

adverse or averse? affect or effect? appraise or apprise? avenge or revenge? bare or bear? complement or compliment? dependant or dependent? discreet or discrete? disinterested or uninterested? e.g. or i.e.? envy or jealousy? imply or infer? its or it's? material or materiel? poisonous or venomous? practice or practise? principal or principle? pled guilty or pleaded guilty? who's or whose? What are nouns? List of easily confused words