Usage of the Word "Premising"

Lyxdeslic · Mar 27, 2011

Hey all. Thanks in advance. Does the following usage of "premising" work? Or should it be "written under the premise" or some such akin?

SUBSERVIA is an 89,000-word speculative/urban fantasy, premising that this world, here and now, is a veiled dystopian society.

Thanks again.

Lyx

BenPanced · Mar 27, 2011

I checked Dictionary.com and from I can tell, that's correct.

It looks wrong to me because I've never seen or heard "premise" used as a verb.

Rufus Coppertop · Mar 27, 2011

While I'd be reluctant to verbify or participle-ate premise myself, it does look correct.

ResearchGuy · Mar 27, 2011

Lyxdeslic said:
Hey all. Thanks in advance. Does the following usage of "premising" work?. . .

Ok, by Webster's New World Dictionary, Third College Edition. I don't recall hearing or seeing the verb "to premise," but plainly it is a verb, and you appear to have used it correctly. (Not some trendy new thing -- Webster's New World Dictionary, certainly at the time of that edition, was pretty conservative.)

--Ken

Torgo · Mar 28, 2011

Do you know, I don't care what Websters says, it looks all kinds of wrong and ugly. I'd go for the more familiar postulating or possibly surmising.

IceCreamEmpress · Mar 28, 2011

It looks like an ugly neologism to me. I would look for a better option; in addition to those already suggested, maybe consider "takes as its premise" or "is based on the premise."

Verbifying nouns is not always eloquent, and you want to be eloquent in your query.

And if you thought "premising" was a good idea because you're terrified of using compound verbs (which is not the same as the passive voice in English), think again on that one, maybe?

AmsterdamAssassin · Mar 28, 2011

Writing is not just choosing the 'correct' word, but also the 'right' word in regards to rhythm and sound. While grammatically correct, the verb premising looks like a misspelling of promising. I'd go with a more conventional approach and use the suggestions above. And read your own letter back to yourself, to check for rhythm and sound.

Bufty · Mar 28, 2011

As written, it neither reads right nor makes sense to me, suggesting the book discusses the premise whereas I guess you mean the book is 'based on' the premise.

Lil · Mar 28, 2011

It may be correct, but I don't think it is ever a good idea to use something that is likely to have readers stepping back and asking, "Is that a mistake?" If you, the author, are questioning it, it is probably a bad idea. You want readers to pay attention to what you are saying, not dissecting your word choices.

ResearchGuy · Mar 28, 2011

Torgo said:
Do you know, I don't care what Websters says, it looks all kinds of wrong and ugly. I'd go for the more familiar postulating or possibly surmising.

I agree with the first sentence. I was surprised to find that it has long been a verb, as it seems to be quite uncommon. I would not suggest "postulating," and even less "surmising" for the purpose, though. But . . ."based on the premise that," albeit wordier, is a familiar construction.

--Ken

Torgo · Mar 28, 2011

ResearchGuy said:
I agree with the first sentence. I was surprised to find that it has long been a verb, as it seems to be quite uncommon. I would not suggest "postulating," and even less "surmising" for the purpose, though. But . . ."based on the premise that," albeit wordier, is a familiar construction.

--Ken

Yeah, neither are quite right, because there's something rhetorical about postulating and surmising. On balance, change the construction, yes.

Ari Meermans · Mar 28, 2011

Agree with those above. Any unwieldy word or phrase that interrupts the flow of your query should be avoided.

Lyxdeslic · Mar 28, 2011

I agree with everyone. Writing is a fickle mistress. It's the right word, technically. And it's not even flowery. It avoids the need to use three or four extra words. It's a writer's wet dream of a word, really. Except that it's not common and therefore must be avoided. Again, I get it and agree--don't want a potential agent to stumble or think I ooze pretension.

I shall kowtow. But mark my words, someday, if/when I'm steadily getting books published, I shall insert "premising" into each and every story I write.

Thanks again, all.

Lyx

Rufus Coppertop · Mar 28, 2011

As long as you don't do any "hearting"!

If you do, you'll open your front door one night and this is what you'll see. :mob

Usage of the Word "Premising"

Lyxdeslic

Laughing every time I choke.

BenPanced

THE BLUEBERRY QUEEN OF HADES (he/him)

Rufus Coppertop

ResearchGuy

Resident Curmudgeon

Torgo

Formerly Phantom of Krankor.

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

AmsterdamAssassin

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

Lil