adhere to a principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "adhere to a principle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone faithfully following a rule, belief, or code of conduct. For example: "He always adhered to the principle of treating others with kindness and respect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Yet we adhere to a principle similar to "God helps those who help themselves" and believe that education is the bedrock of a nation's competitiveness.

The New York Times

Individuals and groups may still chose to adhere to a principle without the lash of the law.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

While writing he adheres to a principle borrowed from François Truffaut: four ideas per minute.

The New York Times

As for a broad diplomatic vision, Chinese leaders since Deng Xiaoping have adhered to a principle known as "Hide your strength, bide your time".

The New Yorker

"Despite official claims of adhering to a principle of zero waste, vast amounts of untreated waste are being exported from Sochi to the TBO landfill in Belorechensk, as well as the officially closed Loo landfill," Vitishko said.

Vice

The proposed framework includes an indirect model selection by adhering to a principle of optimal class separation and identifies interactions presenting significant difference between the compared conditions.

BMC Medical Genomics

Those respondents who adhere to a fairness principle tend to be relatively more positive to increases in the CO2 tax.

Ecological Economics

But Scotland is trying to adhere to a different principle, more aligned with the rest of Europe: that education is a public good, like highways or bridges, and is worthy of public investment.

The New York Times

The International System of Units (SI) and its associated methods adhere to a design principle in which all kinds of quantities are described in terms of a standard set of dimensions.

Measurement

To survive the nightly ritual, some contributors adhere to a few principles: Try HopStop.com, a Web site to help find the best subway routes, said Mr. Benninghoff and two other officers from the Manhattan Young Democrats, Keith Powers and Alyson Grant.

The New York Times

But subjects who recalled behavior that did or didn't adhere to an ethical principle showed moral consistency.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adhere to a principle" when you want to emphasize a commitment to a specific belief or guideline that shapes behavior or decisions. It suggests a conscious and consistent effort to follow that principle.

Common error

Avoid using "adhere to a principle" when referring to personal preferences or trivial matters. This phrase is best suited for fundamental beliefs, ethical guidelines, or core values that have significant implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adhere to a principle" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of following or upholding a specific belief or guideline. It connects an actor (person or entity) to a code of conduct. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adhere to a principle" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that signifies following a specific belief or guideline. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and practical use in English writing. While relatively rare, it is predominantly found in News & Media, Scientific, and Formal & Business contexts. Related phrases such as "abide by a principle" and "uphold a principle" offer nuanced alternatives. When employing this phrase, consider its implication of steadfast commitment and deliberate action, avoiding its use for trivial or inconsequential matters. The best practice is to emphasize a consistent effort to follow a belief, while common errors involve inappropriately applying it to simple or unimportant choices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abide by a principle

Emphasizes compliance with a rule or guideline; slightly stronger connotation of obligation.

uphold a principle

Suggests actively defending or supporting a principle; implies a more proactive stance.

maintain a principle

Focuses on keeping a principle intact or preserving its validity; highlights continuity.

observe a principle

Highlights the act of noticing and following a principle; suggests careful attention.

conform to a principle

Implies aligning oneself with a standard or guideline; emphasizes agreement and compliance.

follow a principle

A more general term for acting in accordance with a principle; less formal.

act in accordance with a principle

A formal way of saying to act based on a principle; stresses deliberate action.

remain true to a principle

Highlights loyalty and unwavering commitment to a principle; emphasizes steadfastness.

be consistent with a principle

Focuses on maintaining alignment and avoiding contradictions with a principle; emphasizes logical coherence.

stand by a principle

Expresses resolute support and defense of a principle, even in the face of opposition.

FAQs

How can I use "adhere to a principle" in a sentence?

You can use "adhere to a principle" to describe someone who consistently follows a specific belief or guideline. For instance, "The company's success is due to its employees who "adhere to a principle" of customer satisfaction."

What are some alternatives to "adhere to a principle"?

Some alternatives include "abide by a principle", "uphold a principle", or "follow a principle", depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "adhere to a principle" or "adhere to principles"?

The choice depends on whether you're referring to a single, specific principle or a set of guiding principles. "Adhere to a principle" refers to one specific guideline, while "adhere to principles" implies following multiple guidelines.

What's the difference between "adhere to a principle" and "believe in a principle"?

"Adhere to a principle" implies actively following and acting in accordance with a belief, while "believe in a principle" simply means accepting it as true. One involves action, the other involves conviction.