agree on principles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "agree on principles" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing shared beliefs or foundational ideas that two or more parties accept as a basis for further discussion or action. Example: "Before we move forward with the project, we need to agree on principles that will guide our collaboration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Mr. Lay told him that "he and Enron would like to support me as chairman, but we would have to agree on principles" involving the commission's role in expanding electricity competition, Mr. Hébert said of the conversation.

The New York Times

In the international original position representatives of each people agree on principles for the international basic structure.

SEP

But we were unable to agree on principles for new issues that could arise in the future," Ballmer said in a statement.

Forbes

Says Forrester Research analyst Michael Putnam: "What should happen is governments should follow the example of the United States; they should agree on principles for E-commerce and not apply new taxes to the Internet".

Forbes

Others argue that we may disagree about many aspects of general theory but still agree on principles, and the hard work of practical ethics consists in fitting sometimes conflicting principles to particular cases.

SEP

In order for the hypothetical parties in the original position to agree on principles of justice, there must be a high likelihood that real persons, given human nature and general facts about social and economic cooperation, can also agree and act on the same principles, and that a society structured by these principles is feasible and can endure.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Agreeing on principles for openness and perhaps even standards at this stage would benefit some firms and hurt others.

The Economist

[C1.] Plan Aims to Remove Hurdles to Research To remove obstacles to joint research, four leading technology companies and seven American universities have agreed on principles for making software developed in collaborative projects freely available.

The New York Times

vice president, said that the university and the United Auto Workers, the union representing its graduate students, had agreed on principles to protect N.Y.U.'s "academic values, nature and mission".

The New York Times

Yahoo! also settled a lawsuit with the families of both Mr Shi and Mr Wang, and has since condemned the suppression of free speech.In this section Bad blood Plus ça change Serving two masters Too small an ocean ReprintsToday Yahoo!, Microsoft and Google are members of the Global Network Initiative, an organisation that has agreed on principles of free expression and online privacy.

The Economist

They are assigned the task of agreeing on principles for designing the basic structure of a self-contained society under the circumstances of justice.>.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When initiating collaborative projects, ensure all stakeholders "agree on principles" upfront to avoid future conflicts and maintain a unified vision.

Common error

Avoid prematurely jumping to specific actions before all parties "agree on principles". Agreement on broad principles provides a framework for evaluating the suitability of later actions. Prematurely discussing specific actions can cause the scope of the topic to get out of hand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "agree on principles" functions primarily as a verbal phrase indicating consensus or alignment on fundamental concepts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, with examples showcasing its role in discussions about justice, e-commerce, and international relations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "agree on principles" is a commonly used phrase that signifies reaching a consensus on fundamental beliefs. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability across various fields such as news, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, it is important to focus on broad concepts before delving into specific actions. Alternatives like ""reach consensus on"" or "find common ground on" can be employed depending on the desired nuance. The phrase's frequent use in reputable sources ensures its authority and reliability in formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach consensus on core beliefs

This alternative emphasizes the process of achieving agreement and highlights the foundational nature of the beliefs.

find common ground on fundamental values

This alternative suggests a process of discovering shared values as a basis for agreement.

establish shared standards

This alternative focuses on creating a set of common criteria or benchmarks.

align on foundational concepts

This suggests a process of adjusting perspectives to match on basic ideas.

settle on basic tenets

This alternative implies a more decisive agreement on core doctrines or beliefs.

concur on essential doctrines

This suggests a formal agreement, especially within a specific field or ideology.

unite on fundamental tenets

This implies a coming together in agreement on essential principles.

find accord on key precepts

This highlights the harmonious agreement on essential rules or guidelines.

reach accord on the basics

This alternative focuses on establishing harmony on the core elements.

converge on fundamental ideas

This emphasizes the process of different viewpoints coming together to a shared understanding of core concepts.

FAQs

How can I use "agree on principles" in a sentence?

You can use "agree on principles" to describe situations where individuals or groups reach a consensus on fundamental ideas. For example, "The committee members had to "reach consensus on" the core principles before drafting the new policy".

What's the difference between "agree on principles" and "agree on details"?

"Agree on principles" refers to reaching a consensus on fundamental beliefs or values, while "agree on details" involves settling on specific, often minor, aspects of a plan or agreement. It's typically necessary to "agree on principles" before getting into specific details.

Which is correct, "agree on principles" or "agree to principles"?

"Agree on principles" is generally preferred. "Agree to principles" is less common, although not necessarily incorrect, ""agree on principles"" typically conveys a more substantial commitment.

What can I say instead of "agree on principles"?

You can use alternatives like "reach a consensus on", "find common ground on", or "establish shared standards" depending on the context.