What is premises? Pronunciation and usage in English

premises means . Learn how to pronounce and use premises through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of premises

premisesnoun

/ˈprɛmɪsɪz/
Definition & pronunciation of premises

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "premises." It's a tricky one because it's often mispronounced! Here's a breakdown:

The Correct Pronunciation:

  • ˈprəˌmɪs. (Pronounced: pre-MUSS)

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  1. pre: Pronounced like the word "pre" in "prepare." It’s a short, crisp sound.

  2. muss: This is the tricky part. It’s not like “miss.” It’s a short, somewhat nasal sound. Think of it like you’re briefly holding your nose while saying "mus." It's a sound that doesn't exist in many other English words. It’s similar to the “uh” sound in “button” but with a slight nasal vibration.

Here's a helpful breakdown to hear it:

Common Mispronunciations and Why They're Wrong:

  • "prem-ees": This is extremely common. It’s based on the “ees” sound, but the “s” is silent in the plural form.
  • "pre-em-ises": Adding an extra syllable is a frequent mistake.

Tips for Getting It Right:

  • Focus on the “muss” sound. Really practice that nasal sound – it’s the key.
  • Listen to native speakers. Using the online resources linked above is invaluable.
  • Record yourself. Hearing your own pronunciation can help you identify where you're going wrong.

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "premises"?

Usage and examples with the word premises in English

Let's break down how to use the word "premises" in English. It's a word with multiple meanings, so context is crucial to understanding how it's being used. Here's a detailed explanation:

1. As a Plural Noun – Buildings/Property:

  • Most Common Usage: This is the most frequent way "premises" is used. It refers to a group of buildings or a piece of property. Think of it as a complex of buildings.
    • Example: “The company recently purchased the large premises on Main Street.” (Meaning: a collection of buildings)
    • Example: “We toured the new hospital premises, which included several operating rooms and a rehabilitation center.”
    • Synonyms: Building, property, complex, site, grounds.

2. As a Singular Noun – The Location/Foundation:

  • Legal & Logical Sense: In legal and philosophical contexts, “premises” refers to the facts, evidence, or assumptions on which a judgment or theory is based. It’s the starting point for an argument or conclusion.
    • Example (Legal): “The defense attorney challenged the premises of the prosecution’s case.” (Meaning: the underlying assumptions of the case)
    • Example (Logical): “Based on the premises that all men are mortal and Socrates is a man, we can conclude that Socrates is mortal.” (This is a classic example of deductive reasoning.)
    • Example (Philosophical): “The philosopher examined the premises of our ethical system.” (Meaning: the fundamental beliefs)

3. As a Verb (Less Common):

  • To assume or take as established: This usage is much rarer. It means to accept something as true without proof.
    • Example: “He premises his argument on the validity of the law.” (Meaning: He assumes the law is valid.)
    • Note: “Premise” (as a verb) is less frequently used than “assume.”

Key Differences & How to Recognize the Meaning:

Feature Premises (Buildings) Premises (Logic/Facts)
Context Real estate, property, business Legal arguments, philosophy, mathematics
Meaning A group of buildings/property The basis for an argument or conclusion
Plurality Always plural Usually treated as singular

Tips for Using "Premises" Correctly:

  • Pay attention to the surrounding words: What is the sentence about? Buildings? Arguments? This will usually give you a clue.
  • Consider the tone: "Premises" is often used in more formal writing or speech (legal documents, academic papers).

Resources for Further Exploration:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use "premises" in a specific context (e.g., in a legal document, in a philosophical discussion)?
  • Explain the difference between "premises" and “premisses” (the singular form)?

Synonyms for the word premises

Practice with vocabulary premises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Visitors are requested to check in at reception before entering the main production ______.
  2. The entire economic model was built on the ______ that demand would remain constant and supply would adjust accordingly.
  3. Before reaching a conclusion, one must critically evaluate the underlying ______ of any argument.
  4. The architect emphasized the importance of sound structural ______ in the building's design.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. The new regulations apply to all commercial ______ within the city limits. a) territories b) properties c) premises d) establishments
  2. The entire philosophical argument rested upon the ______ that human beings are inherently rational and possess free will. a) postulates b) principles c) premises d) hypotheses
  3. For health and safety reasons, smoking is strictly forbidden anywhere on the hospital ______. a) area b) site c) premises d) vicinity
  4. The project's success will depend heavily on the accuracy of the initial ______ made during the planning phase. a) estimations b) hypotheses c) assumptions d) projections
  5. The board needs to establish clear ______ for evaluating the performance of the new department. a) parameters b) guidelines c) criteria d) doctrines

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The security team patrols the entire property, including the buildings and the surrounding land.
  2. The judge's ruling was based on the single idea that the defendant had no prior knowledge of the events.
  3. The success of the experiment relied on the initial educated guesses made by the researchers.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. premises
  2. premises
  3. assumptions
  4. foundations

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) properties, c) premises, d) establishments
  2. a) postulates, c) premises, d) hypotheses
  3. b) site, c) premises
  4. a) estimations, c) assumptions, d) projections
  5. a) parameters, b) guidelines, c) criteria

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The security team patrols the entire premises.
  2. The judge's ruling was based on the premise that the defendant had no prior knowledge of the events.
  3. The success of the experiment relied on the initial assumptions made by the researchers.

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