Promise vs. Premise — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 6, 2024
A promise is a declaration or assurance that one will do something or that a particular thing will happen, whereas a premise is a statement or idea that is assumed to be true and serves as the basis for an argument or reasoning.
Difference Between Promise and Premise
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A promise involves a commitment or pledge, often binding someone emotionally or legally to do or refrain from doing something. On the other hand, a premise is used primarily in logical arguments and reasoning, serving as the foundation from which conclusions are drawn.
When making a promise, one often commits to future actions, creating expectations in personal, social, or professional relationships. In contrast, a premise is not about commitments but about assertions that are accepted as true for the purposes of argumentation, used to support or develop further arguments or theories.
The validity of a promise is judged by the reliability and intention of the person making the promise and its subsequent fulfillment. Whereas, the validity of a premise is evaluated based on its logical soundness and how well it supports the conclusion of an argument.
Promises play a crucial role in building trust and integrity in interpersonal relations. They are essential in contexts ranging from personal promises between individuals to formal agreements in legal contracts. Conversely, premises are critical in academic, philosophical, and scientific contexts, where they are used to construct logical arguments or hypotheses.
The language used in promises usually involves words expressing commitment, such as "I will" or "I promise to," emphasizing the personal or legal obligation. On the other hand, premises often start with phrases like "assuming that" or "given that," indicating the foundational role they play in reasoning processes.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A declaration to do or not do something, creating an obligation.
An assumption or statement used as the basis for reasoning or argument.
Use
In personal, social, and legal contexts to establish commitments.
In logical, philosophical, or academic contexts to formulate arguments.
Evaluation
Based on the fulfiller's reliability and the fulfillment of the stated action.
Based on logical consistency and support for conclusions in arguments.
Language
Involves expressions of commitment and assurance.
Often starts with phrases that set up foundational statements for arguments.
Importance
Builds trust and maintains relationships.
Supports logical reasoning and theoretical frameworks.
Compare with Definitions
Promise
A declaration or assurance that one will do something or that a particular thing will happen.
He made a promise to return her book by Tuesday.
Premise
Used as the basis for further reasoning or argument.
The research was based on the premise that sleep quality impacts cognitive function.
Promise
Often implies a moral or legal obligation.
The company's promise of customer satisfaction is taken very seriously.
Premise
Often assumed to be true for the sake of argument.
For the sake of argument, let's accept the premise that earlier detection improves outcomes.
Promise
Important in establishing trust.
Fulfilling his promises has helped him maintain strong business relationships.
Premise
A statement or proposition from which another is inferred or follows as a conclusion.
If the premise that all humans are mortal is accepted, then we must conclude that all men are mortal.
Promise
Can be broken, leading to loss of trust and credibility.
When he broke his promise, it damaged their friendship.
Premise
Must be logically sound for the conclusion to be valid.
His argument collapsed because his main premise was flawed.
Promise
Can be formal or informal.
She gave her friend a promise that she would keep her secret.
Premise
Critical in philosophical, logical, and scientific discussions.
Philosophers debate premises in ethical arguments to reach meaningful conclusions.
Promise
A promise is a commitment by someone to do or not do something. As a noun promise means a declaration assuring that one will or will not do something.
Premise
A premise or premiss is a statement that an argument claims will induce or justify a conclusion. It is an assumption that something is true.
Promise
A declaration or assurance that one will do something or that a particular thing will happen
I did not keep my promise to go home early
What happened to all those firm promises of support?
Premise
A proposition upon which an argument is based or from which a conclusion is drawn.
Promise
The quality of potential excellence
He showed great promise even as a junior officer
Premise
One of the propositions in a deductive argument.
Promise
Assure someone that one will definitely do something or that something will happen
She made him promise that he wouldn't do it again
He promised to forward my mail
He promised her the job
‘I'll bring it straight back,’ she promised
Premise
Either the major or the minor proposition of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is drawn.
Promise
Give good grounds for expecting (a particular occurrence)
It promised to be a night that all would remember
Forthcoming concerts promise a feast of music
Premise
Land, the buildings on it, or both the land and the buildings on it.
Promise
A declaration assuring that one will or will not do something; a vow.
Premise
A building or particular portion of a building.
Promise
Something promised.
Premise
(Law) The part of a deed that states the details of the conveyance of the property.
Promise
Indication of something favorable to come; expectation
A promise of spring in the air.
Premise
To provide a basis for; base
"The American Revolution had been premised on a tacit bargain that regional conflicts would be subordinated to the need for unity among the states" (Ron Chernow).
Promise
Indication of future excellence or success
A player of great promise.
Premise
To state or assume as a proposition in an argument.
Promise
To commit oneself by a promise to do or give; pledge
Left but promised to return.
Premise
To state in advance as an introduction or explanation.
Promise
To afford a basis for expecting
Thunderclouds that promise rain.
Premise
A proposition antecedently supposed or proved; something previously stated or assumed as the basis of further argument; a condition; a supposition.
Promise
To make a declaration assuring that something will or will not be done.
Premise
(logic) Any of the first propositions of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is deduced.
Promise
To afford a basis for expectation
An enterprise that promises well.
Premise
Matters previously stated or set forth; especially, that part in the beginning of a deed, the office of which is to express the grantor and grantee, and the land or thing granted or conveyed, and all that precedes the habendum; the thing demised or granted.
Promise
(countable) an oath or affirmation; a vow
If I make a promise, I always stick to it;
He broke his promise
Premise
A piece of real estate; a building and its adjuncts.
Trespass on another’s premises
Promise
(countable) A transaction between two persons whereby the first person undertakes in the future to render some service or gift to the second person or devotes something valuable now and here to his use.
Premise
(authorship) The fundamental concept that drives the plot of a film or other story.
Promise
(uncountable) Reason to expect improvement or success; potential.
She shows great promise as an actress.
Premise
To state or assume something as a proposition to an argument.
Promise
A placeholder object representing the eventual result of an asynchronous operation.
Premise
To make a premise.
Promise
Bestowal or fulfillment of what is promised
Premise
To set forth beforehand, or as introductory to the main subject; to offer previously, as something to explain or aid in understanding what follows.
Promise
(ambitransitive) To commit to (some action or outcome), or to assure (a person) of such commitment; to make an oath or vow.
If you promise not to tell anyone, I will let you have this cake for free.
She promised to never return to this town again.
He promised me a big kiss if I would drive him to the airport.
I can't promise success, but I'll do the best I can.
Premise
To send before the time, or beforehand; hence, to cause to be before something else; to employ previously.
Promise
(intransitive) To give grounds for expectation, especially of something good.
The clouds promise rain.
Premise
A proposition antecedently supposed or proved; something previously stated or assumed as the basis of further argument; a condition; a supposition.
The premises observed,Thy will by my performance shall be served.
Promise
In general, a declaration, written or verbal, made by one person to another, which binds the person who makes it to do, or to forbear to do, a specified act; a declaration which gives to the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act.
For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Premise
Either of the first two propositions of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is drawn.
While the premises stand firm, it is impossible to shake the conclusion.
Promise
An engagement by one person to another, either in words or in writing, but properly not under seal, for the performance or nonperformance of some particular thing. The word promise is used to denote the mere engagement of a person, without regard to the consideration for it, or the corresponding duty of the party to whom it is made.
Premise
Matters previously stated or set forth; esp., that part in the beginning of a deed, the office of which is to express the grantor and grantee, and the land or thing granted or conveyed, and all that precedes the habendum; the thing demised or granted.
Promise
That which causes hope, expectation, or assurance; especially, that which affords expectation of future distinction; as, a youth of great promise.
My native country was full of youthful promise.
Premise
A piece of real estate; a building and its adjuncts; as, to lease premises; to trespass on another's premises.
Promise
Bestowal, fulfillment, or grant of what is promised.
He . . . commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father.
Premise
To send before the time, or beforehand; hence, to cause to be before something else; to employ previously.
The premised flames of the last day.
If venesection and a cathartic be premised.
Promise
To engage to do, give, make, or to refrain from doing, giving, or making, or the like; to covenant; to engage; as, to promise a visit; to promise a cessation of hostilities; to promise the payment of money.
Premise
To set forth beforehand, or as introductory to the main subject; to offer previously, as something to explain or aid in understanding what follows; especially, to lay down premises or first propositions, on which rest the subsequent reasonings.
I premise these particulars that the reader may know that I enter upon it as a very ungrateful task.
Promise
To afford reason to expect; to cause hope or assurance of; as, the clouds promise rain.
Premise
To make a premise; to set forth something as a premise.
Promise
To make declaration of or give assurance of, as some benefit to be conferred; to pledge or engage to bestow; as, the proprietors promised large tracts of land; the city promised a reward.
I dare promise myself you will attest the truth of all I have advanced.
Premise
A statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn;
On the assumption that he has been injured we can infer that he will not to play
Promise
To give assurance by a promise, or binding declaration.
Premise
Set forth beforehand, often as an explanation;
He premised these remarks so that his readers might understand
Promise
To afford hopes or expectation; to give ground to expect good; rarely, to give reason to expect evil.
Will not the ladies be afeard of the lion?I fear it, I promise you.
Premise
Furnish with a preface or introduction;
She always precedes her lectures with a joke
He prefaced his lecture with a critical remark about the institution
Promise
A verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future
Premise
Take something as preexisting and given
Promise
Grounds for feeling hopeful about the future;
There is little or no promise that he will recover
Promise
Make a promise or commitment
Promise
Promise to undertake or give;
I promise you my best effort
Promise
Make a prediction about; tell in advance;
Call the outcome of an election
Promise
Give grounds for expectations;
The new results were promising
The results promised fame and glory
Common Curiosities
What makes a good premise in an argument?
A good premise is one that is true and relevant to the argument, providing a solid foundation for logical conclusions.
Can a promise be legally binding?
Yes, promises can be legally binding when they form part of a contractual agreement.
What is a promise?
A promise is an assurance given by one person to another that they will or will not do something.
How is a premise used in reasoning?
A premise is used as a foundational statement upon which logical arguments are built.
What happens when a promise is broken?
Breaking a promise can lead to loss of trust, disappointment, and in legal cases, potential penalties.
Can a promise be informal?
Yes, promises can be both formal and informal, affecting various types of relationships and agreements.
How do premises contribute to scientific research?
In scientific research, premises form the underlying assumptions that guide hypotheses and testing methodologies.
How do personal promises affect relationships?
Personal promises, when fulfilled, enhance trust and strengthen relationships, but if broken, they can damage trust.
Can premises change over time?
Yes, premises can change as new information becomes available, especially in scientific contexts where new data can alter foundational assumptions.
Why are premises important in philosophy?
Premises are crucial in philosophy because they form the basis of deductive reasoning used to explore complex ideas and theories.
What is the difference between a promise and a guarantee?
A promise is a personal or legal commitment, while a guarantee usually implies a formal assurance backed by a warranty or policy.
Are all premises true?
Not necessarily; premises are assumed to be true for the purposes of the argument, but their actual truth can vary.
How do you evaluate the validity of a premise?
The validity of a premise is evaluated based on its logical connection to other truths and its ability to support the conclusions drawn from it.
What are examples of broken promises affecting business?
In business, broken promises regarding product quality or delivery times can lead to customer dissatisfaction and loss of reputation.
How should one respond if unable to fulfill a promise?
If unable to fulfill a promise, it is important to communicate honestly and promptly, offering explanations and possible alternatives to mitigate the impact.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
