adopt a principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adopt a principle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the acceptance or implementation of a specific belief or guideline in various contexts, such as ethics, business, or personal development. Example: "In order to foster a culture of integrity, we must adopt a principle of transparency in all our dealings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

McKay calls on the House of Commons to adopt a principle which expects UK governments to act with the consent of English MPs when proposing English-only legislation.

The Guardian

Second, we can imagine philosophical reasoning persuading us to adopt a principle that renders the appeal to a fair process unnecessary, but we cannot imagine such a philosophical "proof" of the fairness of a gambling outcome that would lead us to think the spin of a fair roulette wheel or a throw of a properly balanced die can be rendered unnecessary in the same way.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Because if there's one trait in modern politicians, it's adopting a principle and sticking to it, even if commentators say this might not be popular.

Independent

He certainly adopted a principle of leadership that I absolutely agree with — that if you're going to be blamed for something if it goes wrong, you want to understand what it is you're agreeing to when you say yes.

The New York Times

He gives a contextual explication of intentionality that relies on a linguistic account of mental representation, adopting a principle of compositionality for understandings.

SEP

Instead of adhering to a constitution that guaranteed liberties, the Germans in the 1930s adopted a principle of government that placed the country's leadership above the law.

Huffington Post

Nothing represents the Norwegian way like its prison system, which has adopted a "principle of normality," according to which punishment is the restriction of liberty itself and which mandates that no one shall serve their sentence under stricter circumstances than is required by the security of the community.

Huffington Post

The primary determinant was whether a staff member adopts a principle of reporting all falls on incident reports.

BMC Health Services Research

In addition, we adopted a principle from Heideggerian hermeneutical phenomenology [ 16, 17], in that we did not attempt to bracket our knowledge as children's nurses who had extensive experience of working with families, and increasingly fathers, at home.

BMC Nursing

Following several discussions, the Ministries adopted a principle-based approach, drawing primarily from the Te Whariki, as well as from Swedish perspectives (Dahlberg, Moss, & Pence, 2007) and the practices implemented in Reggio Emilia, Italy (Rinaldi, 2006).

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Greenpeace also wants companies to adopt a "precautionary principle" and avoid chemicals if their environmental impact is uncertain.Although not everyone will agree with Greenpeace's methodology, its ranking still has some merit.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for transparency and accountability in your organization, clearly define and "adopt a principle" of open communication to ensure all stakeholders are well-informed.

Common error

Avoid superficially "adopting a principle" without genuine commitment. Ensure that the principle is not just a slogan but is integrated into practical actions and decision-making processes within the organization or individual's behavior.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adopt a principle" functions as a verb phrase, where "adopt" is the verb indicating the action of accepting or embracing, and "a principle" is the noun phrase serving as the object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adopt a principle" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies the acceptance and implementation of a guiding rule or belief. Ludwig AI confirms this. While not exceedingly common, it appears across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal communications. When using the phrase, ensure that the chosen principle is actively integrated into practice and not merely a superficial declaration. Alternatives like "embrace a principle" or "implement a principle" offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

embrace a principle

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

accept a principle

Replaces "adopt" with "accept", implying agreement rather than active implementation.

implement a principle

Focuses on putting a principle into action, rather than just accepting it.

establish a principle

Shifts the focus to creating a principle, rather than taking on an existing one.

endorse a principle

Implies public support and approval of a principle.

follow a principle

Suggests adherence to a principle as a guide.

apply a principle

Highlights the practical use of a principle in specific situations.

uphold a principle

Emphasizes the act of defending and maintaining a principle.

institute a principle

Similar to 'establish', focusing on the formal introduction of a principle.

internalize a principle

Focuses on deeply integrating a principle into one's beliefs or practices.

FAQs

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

You can use "adopt a principle" when you want to express the act of accepting or starting to use a specific guideline or belief. For example, "The company decided to "adopt a principle" of sustainability to reduce its environmental impact".

What are some alternatives to "adopt a principle"?

Some alternatives include "embrace a principle", "accept a principle", or "implement a principle". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "adopt a principle" and "establish a principle"?

"Adopt a principle" means to start using or following an existing principle, while "establish a principle" means to create or set up a new principle. To "adopt a principle" is to take on something already defined; to establish one is to define it.

Is it better to "adopt a principle" or "adapt a principle"?

It is generally better to "adopt a principle" if you mean to formally accept and follow it. "Adapt a principle" implies modifying or changing an existing principle to fit a specific situation, which may not always be appropriate.