a bedrock principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bedrock principle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a fundamental or foundational belief or rule that is essential to a system or philosophy. Example: "Honesty is a bedrock principle of our organization, guiding all our interactions and decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And isn't the idea of a public trial a bedrock principle of American justice?

The New York Times

Non-observance of Christmas was a bedrock principle of my equally assimilated parents' religious self-definition.

The Economist

If a capitalist society like ours is to function, that has to be a bedrock principle.

The New York Times

He cited a bedrock principle of food-vendor economics: "No people, no drinks, no eat".

The New York Times

The report said, "Safeguarding the privacy and the civil liberties of Americans is a bedrock principle".

The New York Times

Respect for Islam was a bedrock principle of U.S. commanders under Petraeus.

Harvard Business Review

It is a bedrock principle of democratic justice that everyone is entitled to legal representation when accused of a crime.

The New York Times

"What it does do is it reunifies families, which is a bedrock principle of US immigration policy," Henshaw said.

The Guardian

Competition, a bedrock principle of President Bush's economic philosophy, has proved enormously successful in building his record-setting campaign treasury.

The New York Times

"Creative necessity" is a bedrock principle in Hollywood, but the extreme behavior it protects may be unsupportable now.

The New Yorker

GO back through all the writings on capitalism, back to Adam Smith, and a bedrock principle asserts itself repeatedly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a bedrock principle", ensure it genuinely represents a core, non-negotiable belief or rule, and not just a preference or suggestion.

Common error

Avoid using "a bedrock principle" to describe minor guidelines or flexible rules; reserve it for truly fundamental and unwavering concepts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bedrock principle" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a core, fundamental belief or tenet. Ludwig shows its use across various domains to emphasize the foundational nature of a concept.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

21%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Social Media

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bedrock principle" is a noun phrase used to describe a fundamental, unwavering belief or rule. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media, as well as academic contexts. It conveys a sense of importance and non-negotiability, making it suitable for formal communication. While "a bedrock principle" is frequently found in formal writing, alternatives like "a fundamental tenet" or "a core belief" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental tenet

Replaces 'bedrock' with 'fundamental' and 'principle' with 'tenet', emphasizing the foundational nature.

a cornerstone of

Highlights the foundational and indispensable nature of the principle, similar to a cornerstone in construction.

a core belief

Substitutes 'bedrock principle' with 'core belief', highlighting the central and unwavering nature of the belief.

a basic foundation

Uses 'basic foundation' instead of 'bedrock principle', focusing on the underlying support or structure.

an essential element

Replaces 'bedrock principle' with 'essential element', emphasizing its necessity and importance.

a fundamental law

Implies a rule or standard that is basic and essential to a system.

a guiding principle

Focuses on the directional aspect of the principle, highlighting its role in guiding actions and decisions.

a central concept

Emphasizes the conceptual and pivotal nature of the idea, rather than its foundational aspect.

a key component

Replaces 'bedrock principle' with 'key component', stressing its importance as part of a larger system.

an underlying assumption

Stresses the idea as a basic, often unstated, belief upon which other ideas are based.

FAQs

How can I use "a bedrock principle" in a sentence?

You can use "a bedrock principle" to describe a fundamental belief or rule that is essential to a system, philosophy, or organization. For example: "Honesty is "a bedrock principle" of our company."

What can I say instead of "a bedrock principle"?

You can use alternatives like "a fundamental tenet", "a core belief", or "a guiding principle" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "basic bedrock principle"?

Yes, using "basic" before ""a bedrock principle"" is generally redundant because 'bedrock' already implies something fundamental and basic. It's best to use "a bedrock principle" on its own.

What makes something qualify as "a bedrock principle"?

For something to be considered ""a bedrock principle"", it must be a foundational belief or rule that is unwavering, essential, and upon which other beliefs or practices are built. It is not easily compromised or changed.