accepts in principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accepts in principle" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone agrees with the general idea or concept but may not agree with all the specific details or conditions. Example: "The committee accepts in principle the proposal for the new project, pending further discussion on the budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The company "acknowledges that there is room for improvement in a number of areas and accepts in principle the panel's recommendations," the statement said.

The New York Times

Russia accepts in principle the need to negotiate a special deal for the time when both Kaliningrad's neighbours join the EU.

The Economist

The academic firm accepts in principle, in certain situations even promotes, split employment or "cross-employment" (multi-employment) of its employees with other (academic) organizations or institutions, for example universities or other higher education institutions.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Its board has accepted in principle a bid for its energy operations from America's General Electric.

The Economist

"Maitreya has accepted in principle and is now waiting for the best, most propitious moment to appear".

The New Yorker

PAGE A12 Knicks Close In on Brown Larry Brown has accepted in principle the job of Knicks coach, according to his agent.

The New York Times

He has also accepted in principle a scheme for joint candidates in some Ontario constituencies at the next federal election.

The Economist

In Vietnam a cease-fire has been accepted in principle by everyone and our intervention is down to almost nothing, but the fighting goes on.

The New Yorker

Earlier this year, the Power of Information taskforce urged that freeing up geospatial data should be a priority – a recommendation accepted "in principle" by the government.

The Guardian - Tech

In any agreement, he insisted, Israel must accept "in principle that it is the right of every Palestinian to choose to return when they want".

The New York Times

Brooklyn-born and Long Island-raised, Brown has accepted in principle the Knicks's offer to become their 22nd head coach.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "accepts in principle" when you want to convey agreement with the core idea but acknowledge that details might need further negotiation or refinement.

Common error

Avoid using "accepts in principle" if the agreement is final and without reservations. Using it in such cases can create confusion and imply potential future disagreements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accepts in principle" functions as a verb phrase modifier, indicating a qualified form of acceptance. As Ludwig AI underlines, it expresses agreement with the general idea but leaves room for further discussion or modifications.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "accepts in principle" is a useful tool for expressing qualified agreement, signaling that while the core idea is agreeable, further details or conditions need consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. As the examples show, it's commonly used in news, science and encyclopedic contexts. When using the term, be mindful of clarity; ensure the audience understands that full agreement isn't necessarily implied. Alternatives like "agrees in principle" or "endorses in principle" may be more appropriate depending on the context. It is advisable to avoid assuming a full and finalized agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agrees in principle

Direct synonym, replacing "accepts" with "agrees" without changing the meaning.

approves in principle

Similar to "agrees", but suggests a more formal or official acceptance.

endorses in principle

Indicates a stronger level of support or approval than "accepts".

generally accepts

Emphasizes the general nature of the acceptance, implying that there might be specific exceptions.

broadly accepts

Similar to "generally accepts", indicating an acceptance of the overall concept.

conceptually accepts

Focuses on accepting the idea, not necessarily the practical implementation.

conditionally accepts

Highlights that acceptance is dependent on certain conditions being met.

is amenable to

Suggests a willingness to consider or accept something.

shows willingness to accept

More verbose, but highlights the willingness to consider the idea.

is open to the idea of

Indicates a receptive attitude, without necessarily implying full acceptance.

FAQs

What does "accepts in principle" mean?

It means that someone agrees with the general idea or concept of something, but may not agree with all the specific details or conditions.

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

You can use alternatives like "agrees in principle", "endorses in principle", or "approves in principle" depending on the context.

Is "accepts in principle" the same as "fully accepts"?

No, "accepts in principle" implies that there are still details to be worked out or potential reservations, while "fully accepts" indicates complete and unconditional agreement.

How to use "accepts in principle" in a sentence?

For example: "The committee "accepts in principle" the proposal for the new project, pending further discussion on the budget."