acceptance in principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acceptance in principle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a preliminary agreement or acknowledgment of a concept or proposal, pending further details or conditions. Example: "The committee has given its acceptance in principle to the new policy, but further discussions are needed before final approval."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

They did so because of an acceptance in principle that guards have a modern role.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The Americans should make it clear" what threats Iraq poses to Europe and the world in order to build "acceptance in principle" for any military action there.

The New York Times

He added that decisions on individual applicants would remain, as always, a matter for higher education institutions but it was "encouraging" that many were beginning to signal an acceptance in principle of the diplomas.

The Guardian

An acceptance in principle on the need to institute changes in immigration laws could bog down later this year over what to do with nearly 12 million illegal immigrants.

The New York Times

But what we can now say, following the major debates in the UN General Assembly in 2009, 2010 and 2011 is that – even after the controversy about Libya which I will come to in a moment – it has won a remarkable degree of acceptance in principle.

Harvard University

Paul Clark, joint administrator, said yesterday: "As administrators we had hoped to announce the acceptance in principle of an offer for the purchase of Rangers Football Club, which would be followed by a period of exclusivity while due diligence is undertaken.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Israel, which has neither rejected nor obeyed this command, seems this time to be hedging its acceptance-in-principle with slightly fewer conditions than in the past.

The Economist

That doesn't sound like much of a compromise but acceptance even just in principle that Greece will need debt leniency is more significant than it sounds.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some of the language incorporated in the text for example, the acceptance at least in principle of untried market mechanisms such as tradable emissions permits represents a great leap forward in global environmental thinking.

The Economist

For teacher education, these results point out that religiosity should not be considered a barrier to acceptance and preference in principle.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

If the scientific question and methods are deemed sound, the authors are then offered "in-principle acceptance" of their article, which virtually guarantees publication regardless of how the results turn out.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acceptance in principle" when you want to convey that an idea or proposal has been generally agreed upon, but the specific details still need to be worked out.

Common error

Avoid treating "acceptance in principle" as a definitive green light. Always clarify that further steps and detailed agreements are necessary before considering something fully approved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acceptance in principle" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of preliminary agreement or endorsement of an idea or proposal, pending further details or conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acceptance in principle" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that indicates a preliminary agreement or endorsement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, especially in news, academic and professional settings. While it conveys agreement on a conceptual level, it's crucial to remember it's not a final approval. Alternatives like "preliminary agreement" or "tentative acceptance" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Ensure you don't misinterpret it as a definitive green light and always clarify the need for further steps. Keep in mind that it isn't a final decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in-principle agreement

Switches the position of the words without altering the sense of the phrase.

preliminary agreement

Focuses on the agreement aspect, highlighting that it's not yet final.

conditional approval

Emphasizes that the approval is subject to certain conditions being met.

tentative acceptance

Highlights the provisional nature of the acceptance.

initial endorsement

Focuses on the act of giving support or approval at the beginning.

basic agreement

Indicates agreement on the fundamental aspects but not necessarily all the details.

conceptual agreement

Emphasizes agreement on the underlying concept or idea.

qualified acceptance

Highlights that the acceptance comes with specific qualifications or reservations.

general agreement

Focuses on the broad agreement, rather than specific points.

provisional approval

Similar to conditional approval, emphasizing the temporary nature.

FAQs

How is "acceptance in principle" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "acceptance in principle" often indicates a preliminary agreement that isn't yet legally binding. Further documentation and specific terms are required to solidify the agreement into a contract.

What's the difference between "conditional approval" and "acceptance in principle"?

"Conditional approval" usually implies specific conditions must be met for full approval, while "acceptance in principle" suggests a broader agreement on the core idea, with details to be worked out.

What can I say instead of "acceptance in principle"?

You can use alternatives like "preliminary agreement", "tentative acceptance", or "basic agreement" depending on the context.

Is "acceptance in principle" the same as final approval?

No, "acceptance in principle" is not the same as final approval. It signifies an initial agreement or endorsement of an idea, while final approval requires the resolution of specific details and formal confirmation.