breaking the principle of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "breaking the principle of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or behaviors that violate established rules or guidelines. Example: "By allowing personal biases to influence decisions, the committee is breaking the principle of impartiality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I do not see myself why an emergency brake on these lines means breaking the principle of freedom of movement.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Was she trying to say, he asked Dr. Correoso, that if morphine killed a patient, "you wouldn't mind?" "Then you've already broken the principle of double effect," Dr. Correoso replied.

The New York Times - Health

If you are part of a network and being unfairly excluded because other companies want more control, that's wrong and breaks the principle of the internet which is about opportunity, new ideas and a global concept.

Vice

The above video, created by YouTube user mcwolles, depicts a real-life version of the Dutch artist's 1961 lithograph "Waterfall". Just as in Escher's version, it appears that the water breaks the principle of conservation of energy as it recirculates with water flowing upward and defying gravity.

HuffPost

It follows that Smoluchowski's trapdoor could not operate as it would break the Principle of Microscopic Reversibility.

Chemical Reviews

Every shadow science minister accuses every science minister of breaking the principle – irrespective of which parties are in and out of office at any time.

The Guardian

By setting up a special cancer drugs fund he broke the principles of Nice, providing high-cost drugs regardless of their QALY benefits.

The Guardian - Opinion

He added: "In a small number of cases the association believes the actions may have broken the principles of governance, contravened good employment practices and risk eroding the basic entitlement of children to a rounded education".

BBC

Mr Tsipras may calculate that European creditors will give way in order to avoid a Grexit, which would hurt the euro zone as a whole by breaking the principle that membership of the single currency is irrevocable.

The Economist

If monetary policy was used to secure the sovereign's solvency -- clearly breaking of the principle of self-responsibility -- the risk of government's irresponsible behavior would be further exacerbated.

Huffington Post

Some ASEAN countries, such as Malaysia and Indonesia have started breaking from the principle of non-interference to comment on the Rohingya issue.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "breaking the principle of", clearly state which specific principle is being violated and provide context for why it matters. This enhances clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "breaking the principle of" without specifying the principle. This can lead to ambiguity and weaken your statement. Always clarify which principle is being violated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breaking the principle of" functions as a verb phrase indicating a violation or contravention of a specified principle. The phrase highlights that something has deviated from an established rule or standard. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "breaking the principle of" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to indicate the violation of a fundamental rule or guideline. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its validity and utility. While relatively rare, its use is most common in news media and scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, it is crucial to specify the exact principle being violated to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases, such as "violating the tenet of" or "contravening the guideline of", may be used depending on the desired level of formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

violating the tenet of

Changes 'principle' to 'tenet', implying a more fundamental or core belief being violated.

contravening the guideline of

Replaces 'principle' with 'guideline', suggesting a less strict rule is being broken.

infringing upon the doctrine of

Uses 'doctrine' instead of 'principle', implying a formal or established teaching is being violated.

disregarding the basis of

Emphasizes the foundation or basis upon which a concept rests is being ignored.

transgressing the norm of

Replaces 'principle' with 'norm', indicating a deviation from accepted behavior or standard.

defying the standard of

Conveys a sense of actively resisting or challenging an established standard.

eroding the foundation of

Highlights the gradual weakening or destruction of the underlying basis of something.

abandoning the cornerstone of

Suggests a deliberate rejection of a fundamental or essential element.

departing from the canon of

Implies a deviation from a set of rules or principles generally accepted as authoritative.

undermining the integrity of

Focuses on the damage to the honesty and moral principles of something.

FAQs

What does "breaking the principle of" mean?

It means to violate or act against a fundamental rule, belief, or guideline. It suggests a deviation from established standards.

What are some alternatives to "breaking the principle of"?

You can use alternatives like "violating the tenet of", "contravening the guideline of", or "infringing upon the doctrine of" depending on the specific context.

How to use "breaking the principle of" in a sentence?

Example: "By implementing this policy, the company is "breaking the principle of" equal opportunity."

Is "breaking the principle of" formal or informal?

It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more commonly found in formal writing, such as legal or academic texts. Lighter phrases like, bending the rules might be better for informal writing.