Premisses vs. Premises – Which is Correct?
The correct spelling is premises, referring to a building and its surrounding property, or a foundational statement in an argument. Premisses is a common misspelling and should be avoided in all contexts. Always use “premises” for clear and professional communication.
Premisses or Premises – Which is Correct?
When faced with the choice between “premisses” and “premises,” the answer is straightforward: premises is the correct spelling in all standard English usage. Premisses is a common misspelling, likely arising from phonetic confusion or a simple typographical error. There is no accepted context in modern American English where “premisses” is the correct form.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premises | Noun | 1. A house or building, together with its land and outbuildings, occupied by a business or person. 2. A previous statement or proposition from which another is inferred or follows as a conclusion. |
“The security guard patrolled the business premises throughout the night.” “Based on your premises, your conclusion is logically sound.” |
| Premisses | Incorrect | Misspelling of “premises.” | (Incorrect usage) “They searched the premisses for clues.” |
How to Use Premises
The word “premises” functions as a plural noun, even when referring to a single property or a single set of logical statements. It carries two primary meanings, both widely used in formal and informal contexts. Understanding these distinct uses is key to employing the word correctly.
Firstly, “premises” refers to a building and the land it stands on, especially one used by a business or institution. In this sense, it’s often used in legal, real estate, and security contexts. Secondly, in logic and philosophy, “premises” refers to the foundational statements or propositions that form the basis of an argument, leading to a conclusion.
Example 1 (Property): The landlord asked the tenants to vacate the premises by the end of the month.
Example 2 (Logic): If the premises of your argument are flawed, then your conclusion cannot be considered valid.
Example 3 (Business): For safety reasons, no unauthorized personnel are allowed on the factory premises.
What are the different forms of Premises?
“Premises” is almost exclusively used in its plural form for both its common meanings. While it looks plural, it often functions grammatically as a singular collective noun when referring to a property (e.g., “The premises is secured”). However, when referring to multiple distinct properties, it can be understood as plural (e.g., “Several premises were affected”). In the logical sense, it always refers to multiple underlying propositions, hence its plural form.
Etymology of the word Premises
The word “premises” comes from the Old French premisse, meaning “a previous statement,” which itself derived from the Latin praemissa, the feminine past participle of praemittere, “to send or place before.” Originally, in English, “premises” referred specifically to the statements in a legal document that came before the operative part, particularly those describing a property. Over time, the word evolved to refer to the property itself, often used in the legal phrase “the premises herein described.” The logical sense of foundational statements also stems directly from this original meaning of “things placed before.”
Related Concepts
Understanding the dual nature of “premises” is crucial. It functions as a single term with two distinct definitions that are not interchangeable. This is similar to how words like “bat” can mean a flying mammal or a piece of sports equipment. However, “premises” is unique in that both meanings are tied to its plural form. When referring to a physical location, it’s a specific type of collective noun, always plural in form but sometimes treated as singular in agreement (e.g., “The premises is being renovated”). When referring to logical propositions, it inherently implies multiple foundational statements (e.g., “The argument has two main premises”). Recognizing which meaning is intended from the context is key to correct interpretation.
Examples from Media and Literature
- “The detective found crucial evidence on the suspect’s premises, leading to a breakthrough in the case.” (Refers to property)
- “Sherlock Holmes famously deduced the culprit’s identity from a few seemingly insignificant premises.” (Refers to logical propositions)
- “Security guards are stationed at every entrance to ensure no unauthorized access to the corporate premises.” (Refers to property)
- “The philosopher meticulously laid out the premises of his ethical theory before presenting his conclusion.” (Refers to logical propositions)
- “Due to structural damage, the building owners were forced to close the retail premises indefinitely.” (Refers to property)
Premises Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Property | Land and buildings regarded as possessions. |
| Property (real estate) | Land, houses, or other buildings. |
| Establishment | A business organization, public institution, or household. |
| Building | A structure with a roof and walls, such as a house or factory. |
| Proposition | A statement or assertion that expresses a judgment or opinion. |
| Assumption | A thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof. |
| Hypothesis | A supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation. |
| Postulate | A statement that is accepted as true without proof as the basis for argument. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “premises” singular or plural?
“Premises” is grammatically plural in form but can be treated as both singular (when referring to a single property, e.g., “The premises is secured”) and plural (when referring to multiple properties or logical statements, e.g., “The premises were searched” or “The argument’s premises are weak”). Context usually clarifies the intended number.
Question 2: Can “premise” (singular) be used?
Yes, “premise” (singular) is used, but only in the logical sense, referring to a single proposition from which a conclusion is drawn. It is never used to refer to a single building or property. For properties, even if there’s only one, the word is always “premises.”
Question 3: Why is “premisses” sometimes seen?
“Premisses” is almost always a misspelling. It likely arises from a phonetic error, where the double ‘s’ sound is incorrectly translated into a double ‘s’ in the middle of the word, similar to words like “permission.” However, it is not a recognized or correct spelling in English.
Conclusion
In summary, the distinction between “premisses” and “premises” is clear: premises is the universally accepted and correct spelling for both a physical location and a logical proposition. Premisses is simply a common error that should be avoided. Mastering this word ensures clarity and precision in your writing, whether you’re discussing real estate or constructing a compelling argument.
Pro Tip: Always double-check your spelling, especially for words that are frequently misspelled. Using “premises” correctly demonstrates attention to detail and enhances your professional credibility.
