One element of the modern usage of the English language that really gets my goat is the incorrect usage of the word premise.
So often I hear this word used to refer to a single development (such as a house, shop, factory etc.) where the word premises is used as the plural. This is, of course, incorrect. The word premise has no relevance when referring to a location what-so-ever.
The definition of premise is (according to the Collins English Dictionary) 'a statement that is assumed to be true and is used as a basis for an argument'.
The word premises only has a plural form since it refers to an area of land and its buildings. So I can correctly say that the premises where I live is a flat. I can also say that I have lived in many premises.
Perhaps the confusion arises due to the word premises also being the plural of the word premise, so in this case meaning multiple statements of fact in an argument.
The particularly annoying thing about hearing this mis-usage is that now, when hearing the word premise in the correct context, I change it in my head to premises; just for a second, until I realise it was correct in that case.
So often I hear this word used to refer to a single development (such as a house, shop, factory etc.) where the word premises is used as the plural. This is, of course, incorrect. The word premise has no relevance when referring to a location what-so-ever.
The definition of premise is (according to the Collins English Dictionary) 'a statement that is assumed to be true and is used as a basis for an argument'.
The word premises only has a plural form since it refers to an area of land and its buildings. So I can correctly say that the premises where I live is a flat. I can also say that I have lived in many premises.
Perhaps the confusion arises due to the word premises also being the plural of the word premise, so in this case meaning multiple statements of fact in an argument.
The particularly annoying thing about hearing this mis-usage is that now, when hearing the word premise in the correct context, I change it in my head to premises; just for a second, until I realise it was correct in that case.