a main tenet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a main tenet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a fundamental principle or belief that is central to a particular philosophy, theory, or system. Example: "One of the main tenets of environmentalism is the importance of sustainability in our daily lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

These bannings may illustrate a main tenet of Mr. Liu's writings: that China today is "post-totalitarian," but still a dictatorship.

The New York Times

But in defiance of a main tenet of mainstream economics, that people make rational decisions in their best interest, hardly anyone returned the checks.

The New York Times

That is, after all, a main tenet of their jobs.

BBC

A main tenet was the establishment of communal life for the clergy in the cathedral chapter.

Wikipedia

Republican congressional leaders have pledged since the Affordable Care Act became law that they would repeal it, and Trump made that a main tenet of his 2016 presidential campaign.

Huffington Post

Caforio's defense of Union Oil in particular cuts against a main tenet of his campaign so far: aggressively attacking incumbent Rep. Steve Knight (R-Palmdale) for his slow response to the Aliso Canyon gas leak last winter.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

If you're looking for a good, no-questions-asked punk look, there are a few main tenets that have withstood the test of time.

WikiHow

Yet the recent rush to honor has included a more contentious tribute -- an attempt by Congress to essentially rewrite history and enshrine the main tenet of a widely discredited conspiracy theory in legislation.

The New York Times

Our main tenet is that a VAL is appropriate if it progressively increases before eruption, or if it increases then decreases when an intrusion of magma does not erupt.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Known as the NRAMP model, the latter strategy is thought to be the current paradigm, with the depletion of important metals other than iron, such as zinc and manganese, as its main tenet and as an obvious feature of the innate immune arsenal of higher organisms (Appelberg, 2006; Kehl-Fie and Skaar, 2010).

Cell Host and Microbe

Neill, a former patient, also believed Reich's main tenet that "sex with love is the greatest pleasure in the world, and it is repressed because it is the greatest pleasure".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a main tenet" when you want to emphasize that the point you are making is a fundamental or core belief within a system or philosophy.

Common error

Avoid using "a main tenet" when simpler language would suffice. For example, instead of saying "A main tenet of honesty is truthfulness", consider "Honesty requires truthfulness" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a main tenet" functions as a noun phrase, identifying a fundamental principle or belief within a system of thought. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples show it introducing key concepts in various fields.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a main tenet" is a noun phrase used to denote a fundamental principle or core belief, often within a larger system of thought. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts, appearing frequently in news, scientific, and academic discourse. While alternatives such as "a core principle" or "a fundamental belief" exist, "a main tenet" offers a specific emphasis on the foundational nature of the belief. While its use is correct, writers should ensure it adds value and clarity, avoiding overuse in simple explanations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a core principle

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the principle.

a fundamental belief

Highlights the belief as a basic element of a worldview or system.

a key principle

Stresses the importance and significance of the principle.

a central idea

Focuses on the idea as the nucleus of a concept.

a basic assumption

Indicates an underlying assumption that is foundational.

a cornerstone of

Implies the concept is a crucial element upon which something else is built.

an essential element

Identifies the element as being indispensable to the whole.

a guiding principle

Focuses on how the principle directs or influences actions or decisions.

a primary doctrine

Highlights the teaching as a fundamental part of a belief system.

a chief component

Emphasizes the element as a major part of a system.

FAQs

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

Use "a main tenet" to introduce a core belief or fundamental principle within a larger concept, such as "A main tenet of democracy is the right to vote."

What are some alternatives to "a main tenet"?

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

Is it correct to say "the main tenet" instead of "a main tenet"?

While "the main tenet" is grammatically correct, "a main tenet" is generally used when introducing one of several core tenets. "The main tenet" implies there is only one primary belief.

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

"A main tenet" refers to a foundational belief, while "a guiding principle" refers to a principle that influences actions or decisions. A main tenet can inform a guiding principle.