a main principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a main principle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a fundamental rule or guideline that is central to a particular subject or context. Example: "One of the main principles of our organization is to promote sustainability in all our practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The French philosopher Montesquieu observed in The Spirit of Laws that education systems seem to transmit a main principle which informs both individual behaviour and a corresponding system of government, a principle for what Foucault would call "the government of self and others".

The Guardian - Opinion

Also, a main principle of treatment is to improve oxygen delivery and this could contribute to higher ScvO2 values in the ICU population compared to the patients described in the EGDT study and other ED studies.

Critical Care

A main principle in protecting forest plantations against fire is that, where there is insufficient combustible material to allow a ground fire to develop, there is little or no fire risk.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"We have a principle — the main principle — which is to objectively evaluate the situation, and not interfere in internal affairs," he said.

The New York Times

"Dressing up is a way of creating an alter ego and a second skin... Regardless of the motivating factors that cause someone to acquire a costume, the main principle remains the same: the civilian steps behind the mask and turns into somebody else".

Huffington Post

A short note appended to the latest episode, released Wednesday, said that investigators' pressure on the director, Pavel Kostomarov, had violated "the main principle of a documentary of high quality: the author should not be a participant of the events".

The New York Times

However, there is no unified way to define an uncertainty set, and the main principle is to preserve the convexity of the original nominal problem and obtain a solvable optimization problem.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Institutional "creep" is a main organising principle across the Union.

The Economist

Such omissions result in a transgression of a main ethical principle, i.e., autonomy.

BMC Medical Ethics

Moreover, chemical studies revealed the presence of a new isomer of mesquitol (a main active principle), which shown free-radical scavenging property and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities [ 11].

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

"Because our main principle is defense first".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a main principle" to introduce a fundamental concept or rule that is essential for understanding a particular system, theory, or process. Make sure to provide sufficient context so it's importance is well established.

Common error

Avoid using "a main principle" when referring to something that is merely a contributing factor or a minor consideration. Reserve it for truly essential and foundational ideas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a main principle" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a fundamental concept or guideline. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in various contexts, reinforcing its role as a subject or object within a sentence. It commonly introduces core ideas.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a main principle" is a noun phrase used to denote a core, foundational concept or rule. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in a variety of contexts, ranging from scientific discussions to news reports and formal documents. While not exceedingly common, its presence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian attests to its validity and usefulness. When employing "a main principle", ensure it genuinely represents an essential aspect of the topic at hand, and consider alternatives such as "a core tenet" or "a guiding principle" to best convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a core tenet

Replaces "principle" with "tenet", emphasizing a belief or doctrine held as true.

a central concept

Focuses on the idea itself being key, rather than a rule or guideline.

a guiding principle

Highlights the directional aspect of the principle, implying it leads or directs actions.

a fundamental rule

Emphasizes the aspect of a rule that is basic and essential.

an essential element

Shifts the focus to the importance of the element within a larger system.

a key aspect

Underscores that it is one of the main features of something.

a primary consideration

Highlights the importance of the principle in decision-making.

a basic guideline

Emphasizes the function of providing general advice or direction.

a chief factor

Highlights its influence on a particular event, decision, or outcome.

a foremost precept

Replaces the word principle with precept to provide a formal alternative.

FAQs

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

You can use "a main principle" to introduce a fundamental concept or rule. For example, "A main principle of physics is the conservation of energy".

What are some alternatives to "a main principle"?

Alternatives include "a core tenet", "a central concept", or "a guiding principle", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "main principle" or "key principle"?

Both "main principle" and "key principle" are correct, but "main principle" suggests a more fundamental or foundational role, while "key principle" simply indicates importance.

What's the difference between "a main principle" and "a primary principle"?

While similar, "a primary principle" often refers to the first or most important in a sequence or hierarchy, whereas "a main principle" emphasizes its overall significance or centrality.