a founding principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a founding principle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a fundamental idea or belief that serves as the basis for a system, organization, or philosophy. Example: "The right to free speech is considered a founding principle of democracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Although terms translating as "ground" or "foundation" are found throughout his works, this emphasis undermines any recourse to a founding principle or entity wholly transcendent to, and thus ultimately different from, the world or reality.

SEP

That was never a founding principle of the EU.

The Guardian

Burden-sharing is a founding principle of the alliance, the solidarity on which it is built.

The New York Times

It is a founding principle of New Labour and it will not change".

The Guardian

(From Casual) The  Campaign / The Election System For both: A founding principle of our nation is equal representation in government.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, it is a founding principle of the euro area that national central banks be independent of their governments.

The Economist

Freedom of movement is a founding principle of the European Union and one of its greatest strengths.

The Economist

Buy from Amazon.comCorrection to this articleAMERICA is a country of 310m people for whom free speech is a founding principle.

The Economist

"Resistance" to the West — and especially to the United States — was a founding principle of Iran's Islamic regime.

The New York Times

A founding principle of the NHS was that healthcare should be distributed according to need, not ability to pay.

The Guardian

Defending price stability, as the Bundesbank did implacably for decades, was a founding principle of the central bank and is still its chief mandate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the origins or foundations of an organization, movement, or idea, use "a founding principle" to emphasize a core belief or tenet that guided its creation.

Common error

Avoid using "a founding principle" when referring to guidelines or practices that emerged later, rather than those present at the inception. Stick to terms like "guiding principle" or "established practice" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a founding principle" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a core, fundamental belief or idea that serves as the basis for something, such as an organization, system, or philosophy. It highlights the origin and fundamental nature of the principle.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a founding principle" is a noun phrase used to describe a core, fundamental idea or belief upon which something is based. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in News & Media. The phrase is suitable for neutral to formal contexts and serves to highlight the essential beliefs upon which systems, organizations, or philosophies are constructed. Related phrases include "a basic tenet" and "a fundamental concept". When writing, use "a founding principle" to emphasize core beliefs at the inception of something, and avoid using it for guidelines that developed later.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a basic tenet

Replaces "principle" with "tenet", emphasizing a core belief or doctrine.

a fundamental concept

Substitutes "principle" with "concept", highlighting the underlying idea.

a core belief

Focuses on the belief aspect of a founding principle.

a primary foundation

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the principle.

an essential element

Highlights the importance of the principle as a key component.

a central idea

Replaces "principle" with "idea", focusing on the core thought.

a key cornerstone

Emphasizes the supporting and essential nature of the principle.

a fundamental rule

Highlights the regulatory aspect of the principle.

a basic premise

Focuses on the foundational assumption aspect of the principle.

a cardinal point

Emphasizes the critical and guiding nature of the principle.

FAQs

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

You can use "a founding principle" to describe a fundamental idea or belief upon which something is based. For example, "Equality is "a founding principle" of many democratic societies".

What are some alternatives to "a founding principle"?

Alternatives include "a basic tenet", "a fundamental concept", or "a core belief", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "a founding principle" and "a fundamental principle"?

While both refer to important ideas, "a founding principle" specifically denotes a principle that was present at the origin or establishment of something, whereas "a fundamental principle" /s/a+fundamental+principle may refer to any underlying or essential concept.

Can "a founding principle" be changed or abandoned?

While theoretically possible, changing or abandoning "a founding principle" often represents a significant shift in the identity or purpose of whatever it originally underpinned. This could lead to re-evaluation of the original system.