adhere to principles

USAGE SUMMARY

"adhere to principles" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express one's commitment to certain rules, standards, or beliefs. For example, "We must all adhere to the principles outlined in our professional code of conduct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The problem, he decided, was a failure to adhere to principles of democracy and human rights.

The New Yorker

Clinical trials in chronic GVHD should adhere to principles of good trial design and practice.

Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation

Many parts of Popovich's coaching adhere to principles based in advanced stats, including fouling at the end of quarters to steal an extra possession.

The New York Times

Additionally, the Party must recognize the autonomy of citizens and social organizations if it expects them to adhere to principles of morality and virtue.

Cornell University

And he knows his task and that of the police in future will not be easy as they negotiate new demands placed on them and the need to adhere to principles that have been eroded.

The Guardian

Rather than trying to regulate hard-to-spot attempts to get people to form new habits, a more practical solution might be for product designers to agree to adhere to principles like transparency and disclosure.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

But it doesn't closely adhere to Principle 4 (carry only assets that maximize value) and has never acted on Principle 5 (return cash to shareholders).

Harvard Business Review

"He risked his career by adhering to principles," said PAUL G. KIRK JR., chairman of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, which administers the award.

The New York Times - Style

Although he was pro-Europe, he was very much a traditionalist, adhering to principles such as Sunday-is-sacred and capital punishment.

The Guardian

Operators could suppress damaging Internet behavior, Arcep said, as long as the actions taken adhered to principles of relevance, proportionality, nondiscrimination, efficiency and transparency.

The New York Times - Tech

Federal credit unions need to develop minimum underwriting standards that account for a member's need for quickly available funds, while adhering to principles of responsible lending.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adhere to principles", ensure the specific principles are clearly defined or easily understood within the context. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid claiming to "adhere to principles" without demonstrating consistent behavior that reflects those principles. Inconsistency undermines credibility and weakens the impact of the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adhere to principles" functions as a verb phrase indicating a commitment to follow or uphold a set of guiding beliefs or standards. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses a commitment to specific rules, standards, or beliefs. It's commonly used to describe ethical or moral behavior.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

32%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adhere to principles" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies a commitment to uphold a set of guiding beliefs or standards. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts, spanning from news and media to science and academia. The phrase emphasizes ethical behavior, with best practices including clear definition and demonstration of principles. Potential errors involve inconsistent application, which undermines credibility. Related phrases like "be guided by principles" and "uphold standards" offer similar but nuanced meanings, enriching its utility in diverse scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be guided by principles

Indicates that actions and decisions are based on a particular set of principles.

uphold standards

Focuses on maintaining a set of established standards.

abide by guidelines

Emphasizes compliance with specific guidelines or rules.

act in accordance with values

Highlights the alignment of actions with personal or organizational values.

be true to one's beliefs

Stresses personal conviction and consistency with one's own beliefs.

keep faith with ideals

Implies a dedication to abstract ideals and maintaining loyalty to them.

maintain commitment to ethics

Focuses on the ethical dimension and sustained commitment.

conform to norms

Highlights adherence to accepted social norms or conventions.

follow a moral compass

Suggests guidance by internal moral principles in decision-making.

observe regulations

Specifically relates to following established rules or regulations.

FAQs

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

You can use "adhere to principles" to describe actions or decisions that are in accordance with a set of beliefs or standards. For example, "The organization strives to "adhere to principles" of transparency and accountability".

What are some alternatives to saying "adhere to principles"?

Alternatives include "uphold standards", "abide by guidelines", or "be guided by principles" depending on the specific context.

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

"Adhere to principles" (plural) suggests a broader commitment to a range of guiding beliefs. "Adhere to a principle" (singular) focuses on a single, specific belief. The choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "adhere to principles" and "conform to rules"?

"Adhere to principles" implies a voluntary commitment to core beliefs or values, while "conform to rules" suggests compliance with external regulations or laws. "Adhering to principles" is often internally motivated, while conforming to rules is often externally enforced.