an overarching principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overarching principle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a fundamental or primary concept that encompasses or influences other ideas or principles. Example: "The overarching principle of our organization is to promote sustainability in all our practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

There could be many worse things than restoring that as an overarching principle.

The New York Times - Sports

has called for an overarching principle of fairness to be included in the code and we will judge the code's effectiveness on whether this is achieved.

The Guardian - Money

Such a comparison between a macrocosm and a microcosm would also permit him to maintain a unity behind diversity as well as to reinforce the view of his contemporaries that there is an overarching principle regulating all life and behaviour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"There is an overarching principle in planning that requires policy to be interpreted and applied in such a way that is consistent with the reasons behind that policy.

BBC

Although he first understood (D) as a principle of moral discourse, he now positions it as an overarching principle of impartial justification that holds for all types of practical discourse (cf. 1990a, 66, 93; 1076b, 107).

SEP

A "Rosetta Stone for graph algebras" refers to an overarching principle which would allow an understanding as to why there is such an extremely tight (but not perfect) relationship between various properties of Leavitt path algebras and graph C ∗ -algebras, as suggested by the examples given in this section.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Shared decision-making is seen as an important overarching principle of care and was added to the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis in 2010 [ 1].

Arthritis Research and Therapy

A key overarching principle of project ISA3600 was to provide a good preparation of The Joeys who were attempting to qualify for the U17 World Cup via the U16 Asian Football Cup in Iran, approximately 2 weeks after being in Bolivia.

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Blair on the contrary holds that our suffering provides us with a context within which we can discover that our true nature is best realised by the adoption of a life-plan whose overarching principle is religious.

SEP

24 25 While rheumatologists cannot generally be held responsible for costs of treatment when attempting to provide best care in line with overarching principle A, this item does reiterate the responsibility of the rheumatologist to consider economic implications when selecting between treatment strategies or modalities with similar efficacy and safety in the short or intermediate term.

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

Whereas until the end of the 1990s a decrease in swollen joints and a reduction of pain was an achievable and acceptable goal, today the overarching principle of all therapeutic efforts is to achieve a state of remission, which can also be defined as a symptom free status [ 3- 5].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an overarching principle", ensure it's genuinely fundamental and consistently applied throughout your discussion or argument.

Common error

Avoid applying the term "an overarching principle" to ideas that are specific or limited in scope. Ensure it truly governs a wide range of related aspects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overarching principle" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a primary rule, law, or idea that influences or governs other concepts. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

28%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an overarching principle" is a grammatically sound and widely used noun phrase that denotes a fundamental guiding idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in various contexts, particularly within scientific, news-related, and formal business domains. While the phrase is common, be mindful of overstating its generality by ensuring that the principle truly applies broadly. When writing, consider alternatives like "core belief" or "guiding philosophy" to add nuance, and always ensure the concept is clearly and consistently applied to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key principle

A simple and direct alternative, highlighting importance.

a foundational idea

Stresses the idea's role in building or supporting something.

a central concept

Focuses on the principle as a key idea or notion.

a basic premise

Highlights the role of the principle as a starting point for reasoning.

a fundamental tenet

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the principle.

a guiding philosophy

Suggests a set of beliefs that inform action and thought.

a core belief

Highlights the element of conviction and acceptance.

a dominant theme

Highlights the recurring and influential nature of the principle.

a primary directive

Implies a clear instruction or command.

a supreme law

Indicates a rule of the highest authority.

FAQs

How can I use "an overarching principle" in a sentence?

You can use "an overarching principle" to introduce a core idea that guides decision-making, strategies, or beliefs. For example, "The "overarching principle" of our project is sustainability."

What are some alternatives to "an overarching principle"?

Alternatives include phrases like "fundamental tenet", "core belief", or "guiding philosophy", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "overarching principle" or "guiding principle"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""overarching principle"" suggests a broader scope and influence, while "guiding principle" implies direction and influence on actions.

What distinguishes "an overarching principle" from a simple "rule"?

"An overarching principle" is a fundamental concept or belief that underlies and informs many rules or actions, while a "rule" is a specific guideline or regulation. The "overarching principle" provides the rationale for the rules.