a main plank of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a main plank of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a fundamental principle or key component of an argument, policy, or plan. Example: "Environmental sustainability is a main plank of our company's strategy moving forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Republicans were going to make health care a main plank of their campaign.

The New York Times

Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, who began his second term in office last month, had made security a main plank of his campaign.

The New York Times

The Justice and Development Party, an Islamist group which won last year's elections, made battling corruption and creating a truly independent judiciary a main plank of its campaign, but judges say little has changed.

The New York Times

A main plank of the coalition government's social security policy has been to try to unify means tests through the new universal credit, scheduled to come in 2013, which is designed to simplify the system and avoid the worst aspects of the poverty trap.

The Guardian - Opinion

has made a $15 federal minimum wage a main plank of his campaign, while Hillary Clinton favors a $12 proposal.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The teachers' action is likely to merge with protests against a measure to allow private investment in oil, a main plank in the reformist agenda of the president, Enrique Peña Nieto.Brazil's foreign minister, Antonio Patriota, was sacked after one of his diplomats drove a Bolivian opposition politician, who last year had sought asylum in the Brazilian embassy in La Paz, to safety in Brazil.

The Economist

Mr. Macmillan has announced that the retention of Britain's own bomb will be a main plank in the Conservative election fight.

The New Yorker

"I just don't know how long you can expect people to contribute money to a political party whose main plank of their platform is to punish you," Mr. Cornyn said.

The New York Times

Lee FAccordingn Francisco–based journalisto IndiaWestestigative Fellow at The Nation Institute and co-founder of Republic Report.

Vice

According to IndiaWest, Kumar began working with Congressman Pete Sessions, a Texas Republican and chief strategist for the House GOP, to form the "'Sessions-Kumar Project' to recruit and support 10 Republicans in bids for Congress who support a pro-India platform, the main plank of which is getting a US visa for Modi".

Vice

Together with another member who has since risen to the peerage, Joel Joffe, Lipsey issued a "dissentient note" declining to support the main plank of the report signed by 10 colleagues.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add precision, follow "a main plank of" with a clear explanation or example of what that plank entails, allowing readers to fully understand its significance.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "a main plank of" can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrasing like "a key part of" or "a major element of" in those scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a main plank of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object complement. It identifies a core component or principle within a broader framework, such as a policy, strategy, or argument. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage in describing key aspects of political campaigns, government policies, and reformist agendas.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a main plank of" is a noun phrase employed to denote a fundamental component or core principle, often within a strategy, policy, or argument. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While its frequency is relatively rare, it appears primarily in news and media contexts, implying a slightly formal register. Therefore, use "a main plank of" to highlight core elements, but consider its formal tone and explore simpler alternatives for casual settings. When using it, ensure clarity by providing further context to illustrate the significance of the "plank" being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a central component of

Replaces "plank" with "component", emphasizing the part's role within a larger system.

a key element of

Substitutes "plank" with "element", highlighting the importance of the aspect.

a fundamental aspect of

Replaces "plank" with "aspect", focusing on the characteristic nature of the item.

a primary principle of

Emphasizes that the "plank" is a guiding rule or belief.

a core tenet of

Replaces "plank" with "tenet", indicating a foundational doctrine or belief.

a crucial part of

Highlights the critical and indispensable nature of the element.

an essential feature of

Focuses on the indispensable characteristic that defines something.

a significant factor in

Indicates that the "plank" plays a notable role in influencing an outcome.

a major cornerstone of

Replaces "plank" with "cornerstone", suggesting a critical foundational element.

a chief ingredient in

Implies that the "plank" is a necessary component for achieving a specific result.

FAQs

How can I use "a main plank of" in a sentence?

Use "a main plank of" to indicate a fundamental principle or key component of an argument, policy, or plan. For example, "Environmental sustainability is "a main plank of" our company's strategy moving forward".

What can I say instead of "a main plank of"?

You can use alternatives like "a key element of", "a central component of", or "a core tenet of" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a main plank of" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "a main plank of" is generally more suitable for formal writing or discussions. In casual contexts, consider using simpler alternatives like "a key part of" or "a major element of".

What's the difference between "a main plank of" and "a major plank of"?

Both phrases are quite similar, but ""a main plank of"" suggests something is fundamental or essential, while "a major plank of" simply indicates something is significant or important. The subtle difference lies in the degree of centrality.