acknowledge in principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acknowledge in principle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing agreement or acceptance of an idea or concept, even if the details are not fully agreed upon. Example: "The committee decided to acknowledge in principle the proposal for the new policy, pending further discussion on its implementation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

To be successful, the government will have to pursue extensive economic reforms, which its leaders acknowledge in principle.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is one thing to acknowledge in principle that there must be a single BIP; it is quite another to find agreement on what that principle is.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The leading sage of Advaita Vedanta, Shankara (early 9th century), while acknowledging in principle the possibility of coming to a knowledge of the Supreme Reality (brahman) through inner experience and contemplation of the grades of being, held that in practice a vivid apprehension of the divine arises from meditation on the sacred books, especially the Upanishads.

Encyclopedia Britannica

- We acknowledge that in principle, the predicted αI helix could be truly amphipathic and yet not bind membranes, as happens in protein structures.

Biology Direct

Mr. Reuland acknowledged that, in principle, anyone who knew Mr. Bradford's user name and password could have typed the Facebook update, but he regards it as unlikely.

The New York Times

Notably, although the authors identified the nervous system as the likely site of sex hormone action, they acknowledged that in principle the observed effects on behavior could result from actions on non-neural tissues.

Biology of Sex Differences

Potentially destabilizing also was the refusal of the mass of Russian peasantry, living in communes, to acknowledge the principle of private property in land.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The principle is acknowledged in the Van Rompuy report, which is vague about timing but proposes progress toward euro bonds and a European Union treasury after "a robust framework for budgetary discipline and competitiveness is in place".

The New York Times

The national convention in 1902 refused to acknowledge this principle, and Koht therefore resigned his membership.

Wikipedia

"Secrecy" acknowledges the necessity, in principle, of hiding certain types of critical information.

The New York Times

That principle, Justice John Paul Stevens acknowledged in his majority opinion, "has been widely taught in police academies" and "law enforcement officers have relied on the rule in conducting vehicle searches during the past 28 years".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acknowledge in principle" when you want to express agreement with a general idea but haven't yet worked out the specific details or implications. It indicates a conditional acceptance.

Common error

Avoid using "acknowledge in principle" if you are in complete agreement with something. This phrase implies reservations or pending details, so use stronger language like "fully support" or "completely agree" if that's the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acknowledge in principle" functions as a qualifying expression. It indicates agreement or acceptance of a general idea or concept, often with the understanding that the specifics may still need to be addressed or finalized. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acknowledge in principle" is a useful phrase for expressing conditional agreement or acceptance of a general idea while recognizing that specifics may still need resolution. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It is commonly used in news, scientific, and formal contexts. When using the phrase, be sure to distinguish it from phrases expressing full agreement. Remember it is most effective when some reservations or pending details exist. Alternatives include ""accept in theory"" and ""agree in concept"", which offer slight variations in meaning. By understanding its nuances, writers can accurately convey their intended meaning and avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accept in theory

Replaces "acknowledge" with "accept", focusing on the theoretical acceptance rather than formal acknowledgment.

agree in concept

Substitutes "principle" with "concept", suggesting a broader agreement on the general idea.

concede in theory

Uses "concede" to indicate a reluctant acknowledgment, often in an argument or debate.

recognize in outline

Focuses on recognizing the basic structure or plan, rather than a detailed principle.

admit in essence

Emphasizes admitting the core idea or fundamental nature of something.

endorse conceptually

Highlights a conceptual endorsement, indicating support for the idea in its abstract form.

affirm in abstraction

Stresses the affirmation of an idea in a non-concrete or theoretical sense.

validate in idea

Highlights the validation of the core idea, suggesting that the concept is sound.

subscribe to in general terms

Indicates agreement with the broad aspects of a plan or proposal, without necessarily agreeing to every detail.

support the underlying idea

Focuses on supporting the fundamental concept, implying that the practical application may still need work.

FAQs

What does "acknowledge in principle" mean?

It means to agree with the basic idea or concept of something, even if the details still need to be worked out or there are reservations.

How can I use "acknowledge in principle" in a sentence?

Example: "The committee decided to "acknowledge in principle" the proposal, but further discussion is needed."

What are some alternatives to "acknowledge in principle"?

You can use alternatives like "accept in theory", "agree in concept", or "concede in theory" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "agree in principle" or "acknowledge in principle"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, however "agree in principle" emphasizes a consensus, while ""acknowledge in principle"" focuses more on recognizing or accepting a concept, even if not fully supported.