agreed in principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "agreed in principle" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to two parties in a negotiation coming to a preliminary agreement but not yet formalizing it. For example: "The two sides have agreed in principle to the terms of the contract, but must still come to a final agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I agreed, in principle.

The New York Times

Taylor agreed in principle.

The Guardian

Hamas has already agreed in principle to such a move.

The New York Times

Ferdinand agreed in principle, but events changed his mind.

The Guardian

Both nations have agreed in principle on a peace document.

The New York Times

However, Royal Mail had agreed in principle to settle.

The Guardian - Business

Donors have agreed in principle to finance land reform.

The New York Times

NATO had also agreed in principle to help Iraq's interim government build its security forces.

The New York Times

Contel's board accepted GTE's terms and agreed in principle on June 12 to a merger.

The New York Times

The Cambodian government this week agreed in principle to resettle some of Australia's refugees from Nauru.

The Guardian - Opinion

Announced that Reggie Camp, defensive end, had agreed in principle to a new contract.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "agreed in principle" with a clarifying statement about the next steps or outstanding issues to provide a clear picture of the agreement's status. For example: "We have agreed in principle, but the final contract is still under negotiation."

Common error

Avoid treating an agreement "in principle" as a done deal. Premature actions based on this assumption can lead to complications if the final agreement differs significantly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "agreed in principle" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, often indicating the manner or extent to which an agreement has been reached. As Ludwig AI has noted, it denotes a preliminary agreement where core concepts are accepted but details remain to be finalized. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "agreed in principle" signifies a preliminary agreement where the core ideas are accepted, but the specifics are yet to be finalized. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news, formal business, and to a lesser degree, scientific contexts. This phrase serves to communicate a basic understanding while acknowledging the need for further negotiations. It's crucial not to mistake this preliminary agreement for a final one, as premature actions could lead to complications. Alternatives include "tentatively consented" or "reached a preliminary consensus". Being aware of these nuances ensures clear communication in both professional and everyday contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reached a preliminary consensus

Emphasizes the initial stage of agreement, focusing on the consensus aspect.

Provisionally accepted

Indicates acceptance with reservations or conditions, underscoring the lack of finality.

Accepted on a provisional basis

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the acceptance, subject to further review or confirmation.

Gave conditional assent

Highlights the presence of conditions or stipulations attached to the agreement.

Consented tentatively

Suggests a provisional agreement, highlighting the conditional nature of the consent.

Made a tentative commitment

Suggests a commitment that is not yet firm or binding, allowing for potential changes.

Generally concurred

Highlights a broad agreement, but allows for potential minor disagreements or adjustments.

Expressed initial approval

Emphasizes the expression of approval, but suggests that further steps are needed.

Reached an understanding

Focuses on a shared understanding, which may not necessarily constitute a formal agreement.

Reached a verbal agreement

Highlights that the agreement is oral and not yet formalized in writing.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is "agreed in principle"?

It means that there is a preliminary agreement or consensus, but the specific details or formal contract still need to be worked out. It's not a final or binding agreement.

How to use "agreed in principle" in a sentence?

You can say something like, "The parties "reached a preliminary consensus" and have "agreed in principle" to the terms of the agreement, but the final details still need to be worked out."

What are some alternatives to saying "agreed in principle"?

Alternatives include "provisionally accepted", "generally concurred", or "reached a preliminary consensus". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "agreed in principle" and "agreed"?

"Agreed" implies a final, binding agreement. "Agreed in principle" means there's a basic understanding, but details still need to be worked out before it becomes a formal agreement. Think of it as a "tentative commitment".