An overarching principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "An overarching principle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a fundamental idea or concept that applies broadly across various situations or contexts. Example: "In our organization, an overarching principle is to prioritize sustainability in all our projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

An overarching principle in neuroscience, however, is that neural function is exquisitely task-dependent.

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

An overarching principle of her work is that experience with patients is essential in students being able to make connections between material learned and the development or ability to reason analytically.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

An overarching principle is to give preference to data in this order: a) radiation exposure measurements on the participants themselves, b) radiation measurements on other people relevant to the study, c) environmental radiation measurements and, finally, d) mathematical models.

Environmental Health Perspectives

A "Rosetta Stone for graph algebras" refers to an overarching principle which would allow an understanding as to why there is such an extremely tight (but not perfect) relationship between various properties of Leavitt path algebras and graph C ∗ -algebras, as suggested by the examples given in this section.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

There could be many worse things than restoring that as an overarching principle.

The New York Times - Sports

has called for an overarching principle of fairness to be included in the code and we will judge the code's effectiveness on whether this is achieved.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Shared decision-making is seen as an important overarching principle of care and was added to the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis in 2010 [ 1].

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Whereas until the end of the 1990s a decrease in swollen joints and a reduction of pain was an achievable and acceptable goal, today the overarching principle of all therapeutic efforts is to achieve a state of remission, which can also be defined as a symptom free status [ 3- 5].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Beyond that, there was no overarching principle at issue in these negotiations.

The New York Times

"Trump has no overarching principle that I can identify," said Mr. Holtz-Eakin.

The New York Times

This text reflects the overarching principle that arbitration is a matter of contract.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an overarching principle" when you want to emphasize that a particular principle has broad applicability and influence across various aspects of a situation or system.

Common error

Avoid using "an overarching principle" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider using synonyms like "fundamental principle" or "guiding principle" for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overarching principle" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a key guiding concept. Ludwig's examples show it used to introduce fundamental ideas in diverse contexts, ranging from scientific research to ethical considerations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

32%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an overarching principle" is a valuable phrase for introducing fundamental concepts that guide actions and understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across a range of contexts. While it’s most prevalent in scientific, news, and academic domains, it’s important to use it judiciously and consider alternative phrases to avoid repetition. Remember that this phrase signifies a concept's widespread impact and applicability, ensuring its relevance to the topic at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental principle

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the principle.

a guiding principle

Highlights the principle's role in directing actions and decisions.

a key tenet

Focuses on the principle as a core belief or doctrine.

a central concept

Highlights the principle's role as a core idea or notion.

a core belief

Focuses on the principle as a strongly held conviction.

a primary rule

Highlights the directive aspect of the principle.

a dominant theme

Emphasizes the pervasive influence of the principle.

a prevailing idea

Focuses on the principle's widespread acceptance.

a basic premise

Highlights the principle's role as a starting point for reasoning.

a unifying concept

Focuses on the principle's ability to bring together different elements.

FAQs

How can I use "an overarching principle" in a sentence?

You can use "an overarching principle" to introduce a fundamental idea that governs a system or approach. For example, "An overarching principle is to prioritize user experience in all design decisions."

What's a good alternative to "an overarching principle"?

Alternatives include "fundamental principle", "guiding principle", or "core belief" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "overarching principle" or "overriding principle"?

"Overarching principle" generally refers to a principle that encompasses and affects everything, while "overriding principle" suggests a principle that takes precedence over others. The better choice depends on the intended meaning.

What does "an overarching principle" mean?

The term refers to a primary, all-encompassing rule, concept, or guideline that forms the basis for a system, strategy, or belief.