a principled basis

USAGE SUMMARY

"a principled basis" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means a foundation or justification based on a set of moral or ethical beliefs. Example: The company's decision to support renewable energy sources was not just a matter of profit, but it was also founded on a principled basis of sustainability and responsibility towards the environment.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Under this specification, optimum behaviour emerges in agents that conform to a free-energy principle, which provides a principled basis for understanding both action and perception [9], [10].

Plosone

Or is there a principled basis for selective concern about Venezuela?

The Washington Post

The findings suggest that the Animation Processing Model provides a principled basis for designing more effective animation support.

Learning and Instruction

"And while I did not always agree with Don, he always took positions in a tax controversy on a principled basis," Mr. Cohen said.

The New York Times

If it became a Nato member, it could not retain its close ties with the important group of nonaligned countries, nor could it preserve its reputation as a country that participates in UN peace missions on a principled basis.

The Guardian - Opinion

"You've got to just develop as thick a skin as you can, understand that some people will disagree with you on a principled basis but other people will disagree with you for purely political and partisan reasons," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

That the United States, as the only superpower, needs to provide global military leadership seems irrefutable, yet we have failed to articulate any principled basis for doing so.

The New York Times - Books

But one wonders whether a consensus can be sustained without a more principled basis than either intuition or avoiding extremes.

The New York Times

As reported by M. D. Lee in [ 38], although there are at least two variants [ 39, 40] of the multidimensional scaling that attempt to determine automatically the number of dimensions of the spatial representation they derive, there is not a rigorous and principled basis for this determination.

BMC Systems Biology

However, NeuroScale has an advantage over the other two methods because of its principled basis on a machine learning parameterised mapping that can be reused in a generalisation experiment without the need to retrain any models.

BMC Medical Genomics

"It's the existential democratic issues that provide the most principled basis" for a change to the Supreme Court, said Todd Tucker, a political scientist at the Roosevelt Institute.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a principled basis", ensure the principles you are referring to are clearly defined and understood within the context. Vague references to principles can weaken your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "a principled basis" as a rhetorical flourish without providing concrete evidence or examples of the principles involved. Ensure you can articulate and support the principles that form the basis of your argument or decision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a principled basis" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It identifies a foundation or justification that is rooted in a set of moral or ethical guidelines, which provides a solid ground for an argument, decision, or action. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a principled basis" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that means a foundation or justification rooted in moral or ethical beliefs. Ludwig's analysis of real-world examples reveals that this phrase is most commonly used in scientific, news media, and academic contexts. When writing, it's important to clearly define the principles you're referring to and avoid using the phrase as empty rhetoric. Alternatives such as "a foundation in morality" or "an ethical justification" can be considered to add nuance. The prevalence of authoritative sources using this phrase underscores its acceptability in formal writing. Overall, "a principled basis" serves as a valuable tool to provide solid justification for decisions, arguments, and actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a basis in ethics

Replaces "principled" with a direct reference to "ethics", specifying the type of principles involved.

a foundation in morality

Substitutes "basis" with "foundation", emphasizing the underlying support rooted in moral values.

an ethical justification

Focuses on the "justification" aspect, clarifying that it's based on ethical considerations.

a morally sound rationale

Replaces "basis" with "rationale", stressing the soundness and moral integrity of the reasoning.

a reasoned justification

Emphasizes that the justification is based on reason and logic, implying a thoughtful consideration of principles.

a justification rooted in values

Highlights that the justification stems from deeply held values, providing a clearer sense of the underlying principles.

a rationale grounded in ethics

Combines "rationale" with the concept of being "grounded" in ethics, emphasizing a firm and unwavering connection.

adherence to moral tenets

Shifts the focus to "adherence", highlighting the act of following moral principles rather than the basis itself.

a commitment to ethical standards

Emphasizes the "commitment" aspect, suggesting a dedicated and unwavering adherence to ethical principles.

a morally guided approach

Focuses on the "approach" being guided by moral principles, suggesting a specific way of acting or thinking.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a principled basis" in a sentence?

Use "a principled basis" to indicate that a decision, action, or belief is founded on a coherent set of ethical or moral principles. For example, "The company's decision to divest from fossil fuels was made on "a principled basis" of environmental responsibility".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "a principled basis"?

Alternatives to "a principled basis" include "a foundation in morality", "an ethical justification", or "a morally sound rationale". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "principled basis" or "ethical basis"?

"Principled basis" is broader, encompassing any set of guiding principles, while "ethical basis" specifically refers to moral principles. Choose the term that accurately reflects the type of principles underlying the justification or decision. "A basis in ethics" is more specific.

Can "a principled basis" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

While "a principled basis" is appropriate for formal and academic writing, it might sound overly formal in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "it's based on my beliefs" or "it's the right thing to do".