a principal resource

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a principal resource" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a primary or main source of information, support, or materials in various contexts, such as academic writing or business reports. Example: "The library serves as a principal resource for students conducting research on various topics."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

However, the phenotypic homogeneity of Leonardoxa along the transect, in terms of life history strategy and number of extrafloral nectaries per leaf –a principal resource on which the ants feed– suggests that ant colonies benefit from equivalent resources all along the transect.

Plosone

From the 1960s until this year, Dr. Edwards himself used the registry to instruct medical students and visiting experts alike, and it became a principal resource for his three-volume illustrated reference, "An Atlas of Acquired Diseases of the Heart and Great Vessels" (1961), the first volume of which appeared at the outset of modern cardiac surgery.

The New York Times

Science and technology constituted a principal resource for the military empowerment of the modern state.

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences

A principal resource for the optimal clinical therapy of influenza A (H1N1) patients and directions for future research are warranted.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

For their part, the French, always coloristically inclined, turned instrumentation into a principal compositional resource, so that in an unadorned piano transcription Berlioz' Symphonie fantastique retains little more than its basic contours.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rich gold deposits in the west and southwest constituted the principal resource in the economic life of early urban entrepôts and a succession of political states.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Julian Parfitt is principal resource analyst at the Centre for Remanufacturing and Resuse, at Oakdene Hollins.

The Guardian

All in all, Europe enjoys a considerable and long-exploited resource base of soil, forest, sea, and minerals (notably coal), but its people are increasingly its principal resource.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Müller's principal resource in developing the resulting classification of religions was the comparative study of languages, from which he sought to demonstrate similarities in the names of deities, the existence of common mythologies, the common occurrence of important terms in religious life, and the likeness of religious ideas and intuitions among the branches of a racial group.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For classical music fans and scholars – and increasingly, for those devoted to other musical genres, including non-Western forms as well as jazz and popular music – the various editions of the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians have been the principal resource for generations.

The New York Times

I get it Siri is not the principal resource for women's health care.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity and impact, consider replacing "a principal resource" with more specific terms that highlight the particular function or value of the resource, such as "a key asset" or "a primary source".

Common error

While "a principal resource" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "a key asset" or "a vital component" to make your writing more engaging and less repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a principal resource" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object. It identifies something as being a primary or main source of support or supply. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a principal resource" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote something that serves as a primary source or asset. While Ludwig confirms its usability, its frequency is relatively low. It is best suited for neutral and formal contexts like scientific articles, news reports, and encyclopedic entries. To improve clarity and impact, consider specifying the resource's function and value or opting for synonyms like "a key asset" or "a primary source".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key asset

Emphasizes the value and importance of the resource.

a primary asset

Highlights that the resource is first in order of importance.

a main source

Focuses on the resource as a supply or origin of something.

a major advantage

Highlights the benefits provided by the resource.

a core element

Emphasizes that the resource is a fundamental part of something.

a central component

Highlights the resource as an integral part of a system or process.

a vital instrument

Focuses on the resource as a crucial tool for achieving a goal.

a critical factor

Highlights the resource as an essential element for success.

a significant aid

Emphasizes the helpful and important nature of the resource.

a valuable support

Highlights the resource as a source of assistance and strength.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a principal resource" in a sentence?

Use "a principal resource" when you want to emphasize that something is a main or key source of support, information, or materials. For example, "The library is "a principal resource" for students conducting research".

What are some alternatives to saying "a principal resource"?

You can use alternatives such as "a key asset", "a primary source", or "a major advantage" depending on the specific context.

Which is more appropriate: "a principal resource" or "a main resource"?

Both "a principal resource" and "a main resource" are correct, but "principal" implies a higher degree of importance or fundamentality compared to "main".

In what contexts is it best to use "a principal resource"?

It is suitable for formal writing and situations where you want to emphasize the primary importance of a particular resource, such as in academic papers, business reports, or official communications. Lighter alternatives could be "an important tool" or "a useful aid".