Enthymeme | Meaning & Examples
Enthymeme describes an argument where one premise is assumed to be so obvious to the audience that it is implied rather than stated. Enthymemes make it much easier to form a logical argument, because it is not necessary to explain each premise.
It’s a good idea on a long drive to take regular breaks. [It is implied that driving while tired is dangerous.]
There are lots of apps that will help you track and regulate your screen time. [It is implied that too much screen time is harmful.]
Enthymeme definition
In logic, an enthymeme is a type of syllogism. A syllogism is a type of logical argument that comprises two premises and a conclusion. The first premise leads to the second premise, and then on to the conclusion.
| Premise 1 (major premise) | All humans are mortal. |
| Premise 2 (minor premise) | I am a human. |
| Conclusion | Therefore, I am mortal. |
In a syllogism, the major premise contains a general truth, and the minor premise describes a specific example, both of which lead to the conclusion through the process of logic.
In an enthymeme, one of the premises is left out and the audience is left to infer it. It is, in effect, an incomplete syllogism.
I am a human, so I am mortal. [“All humans are mortal” is implied.]
There can be a number of reasons for leaving out a premise. It might be obvious (e.g., “I am a human”), or there might be a gap in the reasoning that the speaker wishes to gloss over so as not to weaken their argument. It can also be effective to leave the audience to infer the missing premise. By engaging their attention and intellect, the speaker makes them feel part of the process.
Sometimes, humorous effect can be achieved through enthymeme. Consider this toast from the mayor of the town in Roxanne: “I would rather be with these persons here present than with the finest people in the world.” The listener is invited to infer that the people being toasted are not the finest people in the world.
Aristotle thought enthymemes were powerful rhetorical tools. Because they require the listener or reader to use deductive reasoning, it can make them feel part of discovering the logical conclusion to the problem.
Enthymeme examples
When you see a statement that is missing a premise, then it is probably because the speaker or writer assumes the audience shares a belief that completes the syllogism.
There’s a storm coming, so make sure your garden furniture is lashed down. [Missing premise: strong winds will blow unsecured furniture away.]
Remember to keep your pets indoors on the 4th July because of the fireworks. [Missing premise: fireworks scare pets.]
Diamonds are forever. [Missing premise: something that lasts forever is very valuable.]
Sometimes the link between premises is not certain and is more of a probability than fact. In some circumstances, this can lead to a logical fallacy.
That building must be on fire, as I can see smoke. [In fact, the smoke might be from behind the building.]
The grass was wet this morning, so it must have rained in the night. [The grass might be wet because of dew.]
Frequently asked questions about enthymemes
- What is an example of an enthymeme?
-
An enthymeme is a kind of incomplete syllogism, where one of the premises is omitted. For example:
- Tiredness kills! [Missing premise: “Stop driving if you are tired.”]
- Don’t get mad, get even. [Missing premise: “Anger is unproductive, but revenge will be satisfying.”]
- The weather in early December was bad, so turnover was below expectations. [Missing premise: “Shoppers are deterred by bad weather.”]
Cite this Scribbr article
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.
Marshall, T. (2024, December 13). Enthymeme | Meaning & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved January 20, 2025, from https://www.scribbr.com/rhetoric/enthymeme/
