agree in principle

USAGE SUMMARY

"agree in principle" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when two parties come to an initial understanding or agreement on something before settling the details of the agreement. For example, "We agreed in principle to the terms outlined in the contract, but we'll need to discuss some of the fine details before signing it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Supporters of the bill agree in principle.

The New York Times

Experts in quality measurement agree in principle.

The New York Times

So, I agree in principle with Senator Moynihan's proposal.

The New York Times

Republicans agree in principle, but not on the details.

The Economist

Many Japanese agree in principle on the need for reforms.

The Economist

The creditors and the minority shareholders agree in principle on a solution.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, they voted unanimously to agree in principle to his proposal.

The New York Times - Sports

But he and Sharif did agree "in principle" to form a government.

The Guardian - Opinion

I agree, in principle - but don't we already treat species like the kakapo as something special?

The Guardian

Many economists agree in principle, but favor a smaller devaluation, say 15percentt.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The government says it will agree or agree in-principle to all 50 taskforce recommendations and will implement 30 of them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "agree in principle" with a qualifying statement to manage expectations. For example, "We agree in principle, but budget constraints may affect implementation."

Common error

Avoid using "agree in principle" when a final, binding agreement has been reached. This phrase suggests further discussion is necessary, so use stronger language if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "agree in principle" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a preliminary agreement or acceptance of a general idea. It suggests that further discussions or negotiations are needed to finalize the details. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "agree in principle" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a preliminary agreement on a general idea or plan. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and understood. It's essential to remember that while it signifies a level of consensus, specific details and conditions may still need to be worked out. This makes it a useful tool for setting expectations and managing negotiations. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media sources, as well as in Academic and Scientific writing, suggesting a wide range of applications. Remember to consider the context and avoid using it interchangeably with stronger expressions of full agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Concur in theory

Replaces "principle" with "theory", emphasizing the agreement is more theoretical than practical.

Accept the general idea

Substitutes "agree" with "accept" and "in principle" with "the general idea", simplifying the expression.

Approve the concept

Uses "approve" instead of "agree" and focuses on the "concept" rather than the underlying principles.

Endorse the notion

Replaces "agree" with "endorse" and "in principle" with "the notion", adding a slightly stronger affirmation.

Consent to the basic idea

Employs "consent" instead of "agree" and highlights the fundamental aspect with "basic idea".

Be in accord on the main point

Uses "be in accord" to replace "agree", focusing on the central aspect with "main point".

See eye to eye on the fundamentals

Replaces the whole phrase with an idiomatic expression, highlighting agreement on core aspects.

Acknowledge the underlying premise

Substitutes "agree" with "acknowledge" and "in principle" with "the underlying premise", focusing on recognition rather than full agreement.

Accept in broad terms

Replaces "agree" with "accept" and "in principle" with "in broad terms", indicating a less detailed acceptance.

Give assent to the core concept

Replaces "agree" with "give assent" and emphasizes the central nature of the agreement with "core concept".

FAQs

What does "agree in principle" mean?

The phrase "agree in principle" means that parties have reached a general agreement on an idea or plan, but the specific details still need to be negotiated or finalized.

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

You might say, "The committee "agreed in principle" to the proposal, but several members had reservations about the cost".

What's the difference between "agree in principle" and "agree completely"?

"Agree in principle" implies a preliminary agreement, while "agree completely" suggests full and unconditional accord.

What are some alternatives to "agree in principle"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "concur in theory", "accept the general idea", or "approve the concept".