agreeing to principles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "agreeing to principles" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the acceptance or endorsement of certain foundational beliefs or guidelines. Example: "The committee is focused on agreeing to principles that will guide our future decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Last-ditch move "Milosevic has a habit of agreeing to principles and he then tries to work back on the details," Mr Shea said.

The Guardian

The parties in the original position have the task of agreeing to principles that all rationally can accept under the circumstances of the original position.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

How can people with conflicting ideas about morals, religion and the good life agree to principles that will allow them to live together in a decent society?

The Economist

First, hypothetical agents situated equally in the original position unanimously agree to principles of justice.

SEP

In the first part the parties agree to principles of justice.

SEP

Each party tries to agree to principles that will be best for the citizen they represent (i.e., that will maximize that citizen's share of primary goods).

SEP

It also required the city to agree to basic principles of constitutional policing.

The Guardian

Mr. King said the union would not officially seek a vote until Nissan agreed to these principles.

The New York Times

The applicant country must also agree to the principles laid down in Article 6(1) of the Treaty of the European Union.

BBC

UNGC companies agree to ten principles in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption.

Huffington Post

That deal was agreed to in principle but never signed.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "agreeing to principles", ensure the principles are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify which principles are being agreed upon and by whom.

Common error

Avoid using "agreeing to principles" without specifying the context or the actual principles involved. Vague references can weaken the statement's impact and leave room for misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "agreeing to principles" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of accepting or endorsing a set of fundamental rules or beliefs. It highlights the act of consensus or commitment to certain guidelines, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "agreeing to principles" is grammatically correct and signifies accepting a set of fundamental rules or beliefs. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, while highlighting that it appears primarily in news and scientific contexts. Though the phrase is not very common, using it effectively involves specifying the context and the actual principles involved. Related phrases include "consenting to tenets" and "accepting fundamental ideas", offering alternative ways to express similar ideas. The phrase is best used in formal or neutral registers, emphasizing clarity and specificity to avoid overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consenting to tenets

Focuses on giving formal approval or permission to a set of core beliefs or doctrines.

accepting fundamental ideas

Emphasizes the act of receiving and regarding basic concepts as valid or correct.

endorsing core values

Highlights active support and advocacy for essential ethical or moral standards.

committing to standards

Stresses a pledge to adhere to specific benchmarks or levels of quality.

embracing guiding philosophies

Suggests a willingness to adopt and integrate overarching belief systems.

affirming basic norms

Focuses on confirming and validating established customs or ways of behaving.

assenting to doctrines

Indicates formal agreement or acceptance of established beliefs or teachings.

ratifying key guidelines

Highlights the official approval and validation of essential procedural rules.

pledging allegiance to ideals

Emphasizes a commitment of loyalty and support to abstract principles or goals.

concurring with precepts

Focuses on sharing the same opinion or sentiment regarding established rules of conduct.

FAQs

How can I use "agreeing to principles" in a sentence?

You can use "agreeing to principles" to describe the act of accepting or endorsing a set of fundamental rules or beliefs. For example, "The committee is focused on "agreeing to principles" that will guide our future decisions."

What are some alternatives to "agreeing to principles"?

Alternatives include "consenting to tenets", "accepting fundamental ideas", or "endorsing core values", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "agreeing to principles" and "agreeing in principle"?

"Agreeing to principles" implies accepting a specific set of fundamental rules or beliefs. "Agreeing in principle", on the other hand, means that there is a general agreement on an idea, but the details may still need to be worked out.

What does it mean to say that someone is "agreeing to principles"?

It signifies that the person or entity is accepting or endorsing a set of foundational beliefs or guidelines that will govern future actions or decisions.