a doctrine about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a doctrine about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a specific belief, principle, or set of beliefs related to a particular subject or field. Example: "The philosopher presented a doctrine about the nature of reality and existence."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Federal preemption is a doctrine about structure, not rights.

The New York Times

"What you're seeing from this Administration is the emergence of a new principle or body of ideas — I'm not sure it constitutes a doctrine — about what you might call the limits of sovereignty.

The New Yorker

Aside from comparing a doctrine about how the world works (Qi) with an open-ended method for obtaining knowledge, what exactly is "sacrosanct" about a method that readily allows for the integration of willow bark and turtle blood, provided that they hold up to scrutiny?

The New York Times

Constructive empiricism is to be understood as a doctrine about what the aim of science is, not a doctrine about what an individual should or shouldn't believe.

SEP

His approach is broadly nominalistic, but Buridan's nominalism is more of a parsimonious way of doing philosophy than a doctrine about the ontological or metaphysical status of universals.

SEP

This view can be interpreted either as a doctrine about the nature of God or as a thesis about the parameters of responsible discourse about God (in the latter case it is called the via negativa, or negative path).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Yet what mattered more was his sustained ability to articulate, in trenchant language, a fundamentalist doctrine about the US constitution that has been a beacon to American conservatives in the law and politics for more than a generation.

The Guardian - Opinion

The booklet advances a revolutionary doctrine about child recreation.

The New Yorker

The dynamical approach has only recently been much discussed as a general doctrine about space-time.

SEP

He was assisted by his friend James Howard, with whom he developed a modified version of living mathematics, "supreme mathematics", and an accompanying doctrine about letters, the "supreme alphabet".

Wikipedia

Thus the only coherent form of emergentism is an epistemological doctrine about the limits of our understanding of the behavior of complex systems.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a doctrine about", ensure the noun following 'doctrine' accurately reflects the core subject matter being discussed. For example, "a doctrine about epistemology" is more precise than "a doctrine about things."

Common error

Avoid using "a doctrine about" when the subject is too broad or vague. This phrase works best when referring to specific, well-defined principles or systems of belief. Overgeneralization weakens the impact and clarity of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a doctrine about" functions as a noun phrase that introduces or refers to a specific principle, belief system, or set of teachings. It serves to identify the subject matter or area of focus of a particular doctrine, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a doctrine about" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce or refer to a specific set of beliefs or principles concerning a particular subject. As evidenced by Ludwig, the phrase is most frequently encountered in academic, philosophical, or theological discussions, reflecting a neutral to formal register. While considered correct and usable, its frequency is relatively rare. When employing this phrase, ensure that the noun following 'doctrine' precisely defines the subject matter. Finally, be cautious against using "a doctrine about" in overly broad or generalized contexts, as clarity is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a principle concerning

Substitutes "doctrine" with "principle", implying a fundamental truth or proposition.

a theory regarding

Replaces "doctrine" with "theory", suggesting a more speculative or less established idea.

a belief pertaining to

Replaces "doctrine" with "belief", indicating a personal conviction or faith.

a philosophy regarding

Replaces "doctrine" with "philosophy", suggesting a comprehensive system of beliefs or values.

a teaching on the subject of

Uses "teaching" instead of "doctrine", suggesting an instructional or educational context.

a conviction concerning

Replaces "doctrine" with "conviction", emphasizing a firmly held belief.

a concept related to

Replaces "doctrine" with "concept", focusing on an abstract idea or notion.

an idea concerning

Substitutes "doctrine" with "idea", implying a thought or suggestion.

a tenet of

Uses "tenet", which is a specific principle or belief held as true.

a precept about

Substitutes "doctrine" with "precept", indicating a rule or guideline.

FAQs

How can I use "a doctrine about" in a sentence?

You can use "a doctrine about" to introduce a specific principle, belief, or teaching concerning a particular subject. For example, "The philosopher presented "a doctrine about" the nature of reality and existence."

What phrases are similar to "a doctrine about"?

Similar phrases include "a theory regarding", "a principle concerning", or "a belief pertaining to", which offer alternative ways to express the concept of a principle, belief, or teaching concerning a particular subject.

Is "a doctrine about" formal or informal?

"A doctrine about" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more frequently seen in academic or philosophical discussions.

What is the difference between "a doctrine about" and "a theory about"?

"A doctrine about" refers to a set of beliefs or principles, often associated with a particular school of thought or religion, whereas "a theory about" is a more general explanation or model of how something works.