back in principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back in principle" is not commonly used in written English and may cause confusion.
It can be used when discussing a return to a foundational idea or concept, but clarity is essential to ensure the intended meaning is conveyed. Example: "While we may have strayed from our original plan, we are back in principle to our core values."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Later the park authority voted to back "in principle" the idea of Blaenau Ffestiniog becoming part of the park.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

That is why the government, though it backs in principle an application to join the EU, insisted that this week's referendum had nothing to do with EU membership.

The Economist

May said she would look at plans, backed in principle by the Labour MP Tom Watson, to require public servants to report allegations of child abuse to officials in a form of mandatory whistleblowing.

The Guardian

Echoing Barack Obama's comment that his views had "evolved" when he declared his backing (in principle, not policy) for gay marriage, Rudd says he has been thinking about "the meaning of marriage" for a long time, and "I won't hide the fact that this has been a long and difficult journey for me".

The Guardian

MSPs on the committee backed in principle the proposals in the Scottish Civil Justice Council and Criminal Legal Assistance Bill.

BBC

Earlier this month legislation to introduce same-sex marriage in Scotland was backed in principle by the Scottish Parliament, though the Church of Scotland and Catholic Church remain opposed to it.

BBC

He did not join fellow business leaders in signing a letter endorsing the coalition's austerity cuts back in October, declaring that "in principle" he will not put his name to open letters.

The Guardian - Business

The justice minister, Dominic Raab, said that "in principle" he backs increasing the maximum sentence.

The Guardian

While two-thirds back them in principle, only 30% think the government should be introducing them now, irrespective of the economy.

The Guardian

So, the Mantheys really may or may not actually want their farm back, except in principle, and there seems to be a lesson about history and change in that.

The New York Times

Robert A. M. Stern, the dean of Yale's Architecture School, said he declined to sign the petition because he objected to its use of the word "demand," but that he backed it in principle.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "back in principle" with a clarifying statement to outline any specific limitations or conditions attached to the support.

Common error

Avoid using "back in principle" when there are significant disagreements or reservations. Instead, use more nuanced language to accurately reflect the level of support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back in principle" functions as an idiomatic expression used to denote a qualified form of support or agreement. It indicates that while there is agreement with the underlying idea or concept, there might be reservations or specific conditions that need to be addressed. The example found by Ludwig supports this notion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "back in principle" signifies a qualified endorsement, suggesting agreement with the core concept but with potential reservations. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase, while grammatically acceptable, can be ambiguous, requiring careful contextualization for clarity. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts, it indicates a neutral to professional tone. Therefore, writers should use it judiciously, ensuring that the specific conditions or limitations are clearly articulated to avoid misunderstanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agree in theory

Emphasizes the theoretical agreement, but practical implementation might differ.

generally support

Indicates broad agreement but allows for specific disagreements.

conditionally approve

Highlights that approval is subject to meeting certain conditions.

endorse with reservations

Implies support but also indicates concerns about some aspects.

support in a general sense

Focuses on the overall support, without necessarily agreeing with every detail.

accept with caveats

Highlights the acceptance of an idea, but clarifies that there are specific limitations.

conceptually agree

Focuses on agreeing with the idea, but not necessarily with its execution.

broadly agree

Indicates a wide agreement, with the possibility of minor disagreements.

affirm in principle

Indicates a formal agreement on the underlying idea.

favor in general terms

Implies approval but suggests that details may need to be worked out.

FAQs

What does it mean to "back something in principle"?

To "back something in principle" means to support the idea or concept of something, but not necessarily all of its details or practical implementations. It implies a general agreement with the underlying idea.

What can I say instead of "back in principle"?

You can use alternatives like "agree in theory", "generally support", or "conditionally approve" depending on the context.

Is "backing in principle" the same as fully endorsing something?

No, "backing in principle" is not the same as fully endorsing something. It indicates a conditional or partial agreement, while full endorsement implies complete support without reservations.

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

Example: "The committee "generally supports" the proposal in principle, but requires further clarification on the budget allocation".