We’ve all encountered it, that moment of doubt. Is it these premises or this premises? This seemingly small linguistic quirk can trip up even the most confident communicators. Understanding whether to use “these premises” or “this premises” is crucial for clear and accurate writing, ensuring your message lands exactly as intended.
The Singular and the Plural of ‘Premises’
The core of the confusion surrounding “is it these premises or this premises” lies in the nature of the word “premises” itself. While it *looks* like a plural word ending in “s,” it actually functions as both a singular and a plural noun, depending on its meaning. Here’s a breakdown: * When “premises” refers to a building or a piece of land with its associated structures, it is always treated as plural, even when referring to a single location. Think of it as encompassing the entire property, not just one wall or one room. * Example: “The real estate agent showed us several houses, but we decided on the one with the spacious garden. We love the entire premises.” * Example: “The company is relocating to a new office complex. They are very excited about the new premises.” * If “premises” is used in the context of a logical argument or a set of assumptions, it can be singular or plural. However, the singular form is less common in everyday language. When used singularly to refer to a single assumption or proposition, it would technically be “this premise,” but this is rarely heard. * Consider the logical structure:
- All men are mortal.
- Socrates is a man.
In this case, we would say, “These premises lead to the conclusion that Socrates is mortal.” * The overwhelming majority of the time, when people use “premises” to refer to a physical location, they are referring to the plural form. Therefore, the correct phrasing is almost always “these premises.” | Noun | Refers To | Usage | Example | | :—— | :——————– | :———– | :——————————————- | | Premises | A building/property | Plural | “The security guards patrol the premises.” | | Premise | A logical assumption | Singular | “The fundamental premise of the theory is sound.” | Don’t let this grammatical nuance cause you to stumble. For clear and correct communication, especially when discussing locations, remember that “premises” is treated as plural. To solidify your understanding and ensure you’re using “premises” correctly in your writing and speaking, refer to the detailed explanations and examples provided above. Master this distinction, and your communication will be all the more precise.