as an underlying principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as an underlying principle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a fundamental idea or belief that supports a larger argument or concept. Example: "The organization operates as an underlying principle of transparency and accountability in all its dealings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

They must see this sharing of power as an underlying principle, before and during all of the ensuing and inevitable power struggles.

Harvard Business Review

On the tricky question of Islam and the state, the likely outcome may be a sort of fudge, with the state described as "civil" rather than secular, and Islamic law being accepted as an underlying principle for legislation rather than a literal prescription.As the revolutionary duo wend their wobbly ways to democracy, another country may be stealing a march on them.

The Economist

While all of the continental rationalists meet one or more of these criteria, this is arguably the consequence of a deeper tie that binds them together that is, a metaphysical commitment to the reality of substance, and, in particular, to substance as an underlying principle of unity.

SEP

That's why those of us who raise funds for disaster recovery are so gratified that resilience is now being embraced as an underlying principle of architecture and design, and providing the hope for the future we need.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Despite the negative connotation people have formed about institutions, it appears that mental health professionals have always been concerned about this aspect of mental health care as it is an underlying principle of moral therapy – it defines the physical place where care is provided and where treatment is give to patients and thus has always been part of the debate.

BMC Psychiatry

As I understand it, there is an underlying principle to Copernican astronomy, and that is that we are not as special as we thought we were in ancient times (if we disregard those Greek philosophers who, before Plato and Aristotle laid down the law, proposed not only atoms but a heliocentric system).

The Guardian

Still there is a difference between an underlying principle and specific proposal".

The New York Times - Books

"That kind of customer focus is an underlying principle of Six Sigma".

The New York Times

Freedom to contract is not spelled out explicitly but is an underlying principle in many provisions.

Britannica

But he contends that Germany's example reveals an underlying principle about the importance of flexiblity.

Forbes

It was therefore suggested that Parliament could, if it pleased, repeal an Article of Union as well amend as any underlying principle.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as an underlying principle", ensure it clearly connects to the specific concept or action being described. This provides clarity and emphasizes its foundational role.

Common error

Avoid using "as an underlying principle" in situations where the principle is not clearly defined or relevant. Overusing it in vague contexts weakens its impact and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as an underlying principle" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a fundamental concept or belief that supports a larger system, argument, or action. This is evident in examples found by Ludwig, where it's used to highlight foundational elements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33.33%

Science

33.33%

Formal & Business

16.66%

Less common in

Academia

16.66%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as an underlying principle" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to emphasize a foundational idea or belief. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across various contexts, from news and media to science and business. While not overly frequent, its presence in authoritative sources indicates its validity in formal and professional communication. Related phrases like "as a fundamental principle" or "as a core tenet" offer alternatives for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a fundamental principle

Replaces "underlying" with "fundamental", emphasizing the foundational nature.

as a basic tenet

Substitutes "principle" with "tenet", highlighting a core belief or doctrine.

as a core foundation

Uses "core foundation" to underscore the base or support aspect.

as an essential element

Replaces "principle" with "element", focusing on the necessary part.

as a key component

Highlights the importance of the principle as a crucial part of a larger system.

as a bedrock concept

Emphasizes the firm and unwavering nature of the principle.

as a guiding philosophy

Indicates the principle directs thought and action.

as a central idea

Focuses on the principle's role as the main thought or concept.

as a fundamental assumption

Highlights the foundational belief aspect of the principle.

as a primary driver

Emphasizes the principle's role in propelling or influencing outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "as an underlying principle" in a sentence?

You can use "as an underlying principle" to describe a fundamental idea that supports a system, belief, or action. For example, "Transparency serves as an underlying principle in our organization."

What can I say instead of "as an underlying principle"?

You can use alternatives like "as a fundamental principle", "as a basic tenet", or "as a core foundation" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "underlying principle"?

While "principle" often implies a foundational nature, using "underlying principle" can emphasize that the principle is not always immediately obvious but is crucial to the concept.

What's the difference between "as a principle" and "as an underlying principle"?

"As a principle" refers to any guiding rule, while "as an underlying principle" specifies a fundamental, often unspoken, rule that supports something more complex. The latter emphasizes the foundational role.