a basic philosophy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a basic philosophy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing fundamental beliefs or principles that guide thoughts or actions in various contexts, such as personal beliefs, organizational values, or theoretical frameworks. Example: "The company's success is built on a basic philosophy of integrity and transparency in all its dealings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

A basic philosophy, however, prevails.

The New York Times

And it seems rooted in a basic philosophy of human nature: people who bowl well are more likely to return.

The New York Times

I just have a basic philosophy, as I am a huge Michael Jackson fan, where I only do things that I would want to watch or listen to.

The Guardian - Music

The changes in gender dynamics are forcing a rethinking of a basic philosophy in Alex City, and in the broader evangelical community.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Free trade is a basic philosophy of our government, as it was of the Labor government, but free trade doesn't mean it has to be unfair trade," Pyne told reporters on Thursday.

The Guardian - Business

Behind most of the proposals is a basic philosophy: shifting from a system of taxing income to one that taxes consumption -- another way of saying that savings and investment should be exempt from taxes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It is noticeable that publications about implants with a similar basic philosophy as the Duraloc Constrained Inlay have also described implant failure, at least in individual cases (Kaper and Bernini 1998, Shapiro et al. 2003, Della Valle et al. 2005, Guyen et al 2007, Kapoor et al 2007, Williams et al. 2007).

Acta Orthopaedica

I have learnt the basic philosophy that ?a teacher has not taught until the student has learnt?

Science Magazine

This is her basic philosophy: A family should be a team.

The New Yorker

The fitting of the selected nephroblastoma case to the clinical data serves as a proof of principle example, demonstrating the basic philosophy of a possible procedure towards the selection of prevailing virtual scenarios, based on the combined use of the available multiscale clinical and literature data.

Plosone

A shift in the basic philosophy of nature developed by Francis Bacon, Renè Descartes, and Isaac Newton, has been suggested but for the most part rejected within mainstream science.

Ecological Modelling

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a basic philosophy", ensure it accurately reflects the fundamental principles or beliefs being discussed. Provide context to clarify the specifics of the philosophy.

Common error

Avoid using "a basic philosophy" without providing sufficient detail about the philosophy itself. Readers need to understand the core tenets to grasp its implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a basic philosophy" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples confirm its role in introducing a fundamental concept or guiding principle.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a basic philosophy" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to introduce a fundamental belief or guiding principle. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object within a sentence. While the phrase has a neutral register, its frequency is considered uncommon. The phrase sees common use in news media, and science contexts. Keep in mind that it’s crucial to ensure that the specific details and implications of the philosophy are well explained, in order to avoid generalizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental principle

Replaces "philosophy" with "principle", emphasizing a foundational rule or guideline.

a bedrock principle

Uses "bedrock" to emphasize the fundamental and unwavering nature of the principle.

a core belief

Replaces "philosophy" with "belief", highlighting a deeply held conviction.

a guiding principle

Highlights the role of the philosophy in directing actions.

an underlying rationale

Shifts focus to the reasoning or justification behind actions or decisions.

a central tenet

Emphasizes the importance of the philosophy as a key element of a larger system of beliefs.

a foundational concept

Replaces "philosophy" with "concept", focusing on the idea itself.

a primary doctrine

Replaces "philosophy" with "doctrine", suggesting a more formal or established set of beliefs.

a rudimentary ideology

Emphasizes the elementary nature of the belief system.

a simple ethos

Replaces "philosophy" with "ethos", focusing on the guiding spirit or culture.

FAQs

How can I use "a basic philosophy" in a sentence?

You can use "a basic philosophy" to introduce a foundational principle or belief that guides actions or decisions. For example, "The company operates on "a basic philosophy" of customer satisfaction."

What are some alternatives to "a basic philosophy"?

Alternatives include "a fundamental principle", "a core belief", or "an underlying rationale", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it better to say "basic philosophy" or "fundamental philosophy"?

Both "basic philosophy" and "fundamental philosophy" are correct, but "fundamental" implies a deeper or more essential nature than "basic". The choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

What's the difference between a "philosophy" and a "principle"?

A "philosophy" is a comprehensive system of beliefs or values, while a "principle" is a specific rule or guideline. Therefore, "a basic principle" focuses on a specific rule, whereas "a basic philosophy" encompasses a broader set of beliefs.