by your principles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by your principles" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to actions or decisions that are guided or influenced by someone's personal beliefs or values. Example: "I appreciate your honesty and integrity; it shows that you truly act by your principles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"You have to stand by your principles, that's all".

The New York Times

When you stand by your principles, you get stronger.

The New York Times

"Or, alternatively, that you can stick by your principles and forget any prospect of being elected.

The Guardian

You should be bound by your principles and develop your position on issues based on your principles, not who your financial donors are".

The Guardian

But for those of you who do feel alienated by the standard stock-based investment portfolio and the companies that have their hands in it, how far are you willing to go and how much do you think you'll have to sacrifice to live a financial life governed by your principles (or anxieties)?

The New York Times

"Stand by your principles," he said.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

You can't usher in a shining period of good government by fudging your principles when it matters — with those closest to you.

The New Yorker

Live in the center of your relationship, guided by your higher principle.

WikiHow

Life in general requires we sometimes do things that are not minute by minute joyful, but when your principles or health is compromised, it's up to you to be proactive.

Huffington Post

This is not always possible to maintain, as the professional duties required of you as a teacher, are constantly challenged by your inner values and principles.

The Guardian

From the start, we were greatly impressed by your disdain for democratic principles - the way you wrested power from the democratically elected candidate in the 2000 election, and again in 2005 when you managed to swing what was clearly going to be a victory for your opponent.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing ethical conduct or decision-making, use "by your principles" to emphasize the importance of adhering to a consistent moral framework. It's particularly effective in contexts where personal integrity is paramount.

Common error

Avoid using "by your principles" in casual conversations where simpler expressions like "according to your values" or "based on your beliefs" might sound more natural. Reserve it for more formal or serious discussions where emphasizing a structured ethical stance is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by your principles" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action is performed. It indicates that the action is guided or influenced by a person's moral or ethical code. Ludwig's AI response suggests it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by your principles" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that highlights the importance of aligning actions with personal beliefs and moral codes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media sources and is classified as having a neutral to professional register. When using "by your principles", it's crucial to emphasize consistent moral frameworks and personal integrity, keeping in mind that while perfectly correct, this expression may sound unusual in informal contexts, where simpler alternatives may be more adequate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

according to your values

Emphasizes alignment with personal values as the guiding factor, changing the prepositional focus.

in accordance with your beliefs

Highlights the alignment with beliefs rather than broader principles, which is a slight shift in focus.

guided by your ethics

Replaces "principles" with "ethics", focusing on moral philosophy and conduct.

true to your ideals

Stresses faithfulness to one's highest standards and aspirations rather than general guidelines.

consistent with your moral compass

Implies internal guidance based on moral direction instead of external principles.

in line with your convictions

Focuses on deeply held beliefs as the driving force behind actions and decisions.

governed by your conscience

Suggests decisions are dictated by inner moral sense and awareness, moving away from external standards.

following your moral code

Highlights adherence to a specific set of moral rules instead of general principles.

based on your standards

Shifts the focus to personal benchmarks and criteria for behavior.

driven by your integrity

Emphasizes the role of honesty and moral uprightness as the primary motivation.

FAQs

What does it mean to live "by your principles"?

Living "by your principles" means making decisions and conducting yourself in a way that is consistent with your deeply held beliefs, values, and moral code. It implies a commitment to integrity and ethical behavior even when faced with challenges or temptations.

How is "by your principles" different from "according to your values"?

While both phrases relate to acting in alignment with one's beliefs, "by your principles" suggests a more structured and consciously applied set of guidelines. "According to your values" ("according to your values") is broader and can encompass less formalized personal beliefs.

Can you provide an example of using "by your principles" in a sentence?

A good example is: "The politician chose to resign rather than compromise his beliefs, demonstrating that he truly acted "by your principles".

What are some alternatives to saying "by your principles"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "in accordance with your beliefs", "guided by your ethics", or "true to your ideals".