be guided by principles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be guided by principles" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when advising someone to follow a set of ethical or moral standards in their decision-making process. Example: "In our organization, we believe that all employees should be guided by principles of integrity and respect in their interactions with clients."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The OECD/G20 initiative refers to its efforts as providing an "inclusive framework". Such a framework must be guided by principles, not just politics.

The Guardian - Business

We expect all interactions on our campus to be guided by principles of civility and mutual respect, but we do students no favor on the contrary, we do them great harm if we shield them from all expression that discomfits, angers, or offends them.

Princeton University

Meierhenrich argues that lustration policies must be guided by principles of "prudence" and "proportionality" which can and should limit the degree of lustration practiced.

SEP

Plato, the ancient Greece philosopher believed that philosophers made the best rulers because their decisions would be guided by principles of wisdom and beauty -- commodities in short supply these days.

Huffington Post

Workshops will be guided by principles of empowerment [ 61, 62] and adult learning [ 63].

BMC Health Services Research

Make your own decisions as to what is important, and try to be guided by principles that are important to you, such as honesty, courage, and compassion.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The president who sits at that desk must be guided by principle.

The New York Times

In all of these reforms, we will be guided by principle, pragmatism and progress — not politics.

The New York Times

Many organizations and grassroots movements are showing signs of vitality in defense of rights but will need organization and solidarity across affected communities and party lines, the discipline to be guided by principle rather than mere opposition and endurance.

Huffington Post

Mr. Buckley's politics were guided by principles; Mr. Rove's principles are guided by politics.

The New York Times

Few people realize, they say, that while some anarchists vandalize corporate property, they are guided by principles that seek to protect life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be guided by principles", clearly state the specific principles that are influencing the decision or action. This adds clarity and transparency.

Common error

Avoid using "be guided by principles" without specifying what those principles are. This can make your statement vague and unconvincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be guided by principles" functions as a verb phrase indicating a mode of operation or decision-making process. It suggests that actions and choices are determined or heavily influenced by a set of fundamental beliefs or values, as suggested by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be guided by principles" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to indicate that decisions and actions are based on a set of core values or beliefs. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It appears frequently in scientific and news-related contexts, as well as academic writing. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to specify the principles in question to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "adhere to principles" or "follow principles" can provide subtle shifts in emphasis. While versatile, remember that clarity regarding the guiding principles is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adhere to principles

Focuses on strict compliance and consistency with established principles.

follow principles

Implies a conscious decision to act in accordance with certain principles.

act according to principles

Emphasizes the action taken and its alignment with principles.

be directed by values

Highlights the role of values, which are closely related to principles, in providing direction.

be governed by ethics

Specifies ethics as the guiding force, focusing on moral considerations.

operate on the basis of principles

Focuses on the operational aspect, suggesting a systematic application of principles.

be informed by principles

Suggests that principles provide a foundation of knowledge influencing decisions.

take principles as a compass

Uses a metaphor to illustrate how principles provide direction, as a compass would.

let principles dictate

Emphasizes that principles should be the primary factor in making decisions or plans

conduct oneself according to principles

Highlights personal conduct, referring to behaving in a way that aligns with fundamental beliefs

FAQs

How can I use "be guided by principles" in a sentence?

You can use "be guided by principles" to express that decisions or actions are based on a set of core beliefs or values. For example, "Our organization will be guided by principles of integrity and respect."

What are some alternatives to "be guided by principles"?

Alternatives include "adhere to principles", "follow principles", or "act according to principles", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "be guided by a principle" or "be guided by principles"?

While both are grammatically correct, "be guided by principles" is more common when referring to a general philosophy or code of conduct. "Be guided by a principle" is appropriate when a single, specific principle is the primary influence.

What does it mean to "be guided by ethics" and how is it different than "be guided by principles"?

"Be governed by ethics" focuses specifically on moral and ethical considerations, while "be guided by principles" is broader and can include any fundamental beliefs or values, not necessarily limited to ethical ones.