adopt a philosophy

USAGE SUMMARY

"adopt a philosophy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone taking on a set of beliefs or principles that informs their actions. For example, John decided to adopt a philosophy of kindness and strive to be more compassionate in his interactions with others.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Prior to establishing a foundation, decision-makers must first adopt a philosophy that focuses and harnesses expressions of law and public policy.

Government Information Quarterly

Many IT units will adopt a philosophy that absolute security is its responsibility and will simply deny access anytime it cannot be provided safely.

Harvard Business Review

This leaves Turner free to adopt a philosophy for sustaining himself through his losses: "Sometimes you just have to see how much music you can make with what you have left".

The New York Times

We marketers must adopt a philosophy that encourages taking chances when we deliver our messages.

Forbes

Instead of thinking of a mental philosophy which regards the real entity and thought of robots, it would be better to adopt a philosophy of interaction and seriously consider the ethical importance of exterior form [89].

Robotics and Biomimetics

Question: So what's a writer to do? Answer: Adopt a philosophy or approach and run with it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

When a company adopts a philosophy rooted in righteousness, it needs to remain aboveboard itself.

The New York Times

It is not because Wall Street has suddenly adopted a philosophy of "to each according to his own needs".

The New York Times

Yes, according to Berger: "The Beachhead team has adopted a philosophy that we call 'the four screens'.

The Guardian - Tech

And there is some danger in adopting a philosophy of achieving short-term goals at the expense of the organization's long-term health.

The New Yorker

Angered by what they saw as a betrayal, Ford officials adopted a philosophy of "if you can't join 'em, beat 'em".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adopt a philosophy", ensure the philosophy you are referring to is clearly defined or understood within the context to avoid ambiguity. Be specific about the principles or beliefs being adopted.

Common error

Avoid selectively applying the adopted philosophy. Inconsistency can undermine the credibility and effectiveness of embracing the philosophy in the first place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adopt a philosophy" functions as a verb phrase where "adopt" is the verb indicating the action of accepting or embracing, and "philosophy" is the noun representing the system of beliefs or principles being embraced. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable expression in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adopt a philosophy" is a grammatically sound and widely understood expression used to convey the conscious decision to embrace a set of beliefs or principles, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not exceedingly common, it appears across reputable sources, including news outlets, scientific publications, and business journals. The phrase's purpose is to indicate a deliberate shift towards adhering to specific guiding principles, often signaling a change in mindset or approach. When using the phrase, ensure clarity about the specific philosophy being adopted to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as ""embrace a philosophy"" or "espouse a philosophy" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

embrace a philosophy

Replaces "adopt" with "embrace", suggesting a more enthusiastic acceptance.

espouse a philosophy

Uses "espouse" instead of "adopt", implying a more public endorsement of the philosophy.

take on a philosophy

Substitutes "adopt" with "take on", indicating an assumption or acceptance of the philosophy.

assume a philosophy

Replaces "adopt" with "assume", suggesting an adoption of the philosophy with less conviction.

incorporate a philosophy

Uses "incorporate" instead of "adopt", implying the philosophy is being integrated into an existing framework.

internalize a philosophy

Substitutes "adopt" with "internalize", suggesting the philosophy is deeply integrated into one's beliefs.

align with a philosophy

Replaces "adopt" with "align with", suggesting a connection or agreement with the philosophy.

subscribe to a philosophy

Uses "subscribe to" instead of "adopt", implying agreement and adherence to the philosophy.

follow a philosophy

Substitutes "adopt" with "follow", indicating adherence to the principles of the philosophy.

emulate a philosophy

Replaces "adopt" with "emulate", suggesting imitation and application of the philosophy in one's actions.

FAQs

What does it mean to "adopt a philosophy"?

To "adopt a philosophy" means to embrace a particular set of beliefs, principles, or values that guide one's actions and decisions. It implies a conscious decision to align oneself with a specific way of thinking or living.

How can I use "adopt a philosophy" in a sentence?

You can use "adopt a philosophy" to describe someone's conscious choice to live by certain principles. For instance, "After reflecting on her values, she decided to "adopt a philosophy" of minimalism to reduce her environmental impact."

What is a good alternative to "adopt a philosophy"?

A good alternative to "adopt a philosophy" is to "embrace a philosophy". This alternative similarly conveys taking on a set of beliefs, but it suggests a more enthusiastic acceptance.

Is it better to "adopt a philosophy" or "develop a philosophy"?

The best choice depends on the context. "Adopt a philosophy" implies taking on an existing set of beliefs. "Develop a philosophy" suggests creating your own unique set of principles. If you're following established ideas, "adopt" is more appropriate; if you're forging your own path, "develop" is better.