cardinal rule

USAGE SUMMARY

"cardinal rule" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a fundamental or essential rule or principle that should never be broken. Example: "Punctuality is a cardinal rule in our company. Employees who consistently arrive late may face disciplinary action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That's the cardinal rule.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's the cardinal rule.

The New York Times - Magazine

The cardinal rule here: If you're famous, you're fair game.

The New York Times - Books

But he breached his trade's cardinal rule: discretion.

The Economist

"Police on my side broke a cardinal rule.

The Guardian

It has violated a cardinal rule of bookmaking, however.

The New Yorker

There's a cardinal rule: If it's not broken, don't try to fix it.

The New York Times - Sports

From a sabermetric perspective, the cardinal rule of leadoff hitting is to avoid making an out.

The New York Times

First, he has broken the cardinal rule of superpower deterrence: you must keep your word.

The Economist

The cardinal rule of safe surfing is that one should never surf alone.

The New Yorker

"That's when I came up with a cardinal rule," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cardinal rule" to emphasize the importance of a specific guideline or principle. It suggests that violating this rule could have serious consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "cardinal rule" for minor or trivial guidelines. Reserve it for truly fundamental principles that are crucial to success or ethical behavior.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cardinal rule" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a fundamental principle or guideline. According to Ludwig, it is used to emphasize the importance of a specific rule that should not be broken. Examples found in Ludwig show usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cardinal rule" is a frequently used noun phrase that signifies a fundamental and essential principle. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase carries a strong emphasis on the importance of the rule and the potential repercussions of disregarding it. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for various situations requiring a clear articulation of non-negotiable guidelines. Alternatives such as "fundamental principle" and "essential guideline" can be used to express similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental principle

Replaces 'rule' with 'principle', emphasizing the foundational aspect.

essential guideline

Substitutes 'rule' with 'guideline', softening the sense of strict enforcement.

basic tenet

Uses 'tenet' instead of 'rule', suggesting a core belief or doctrine.

key requirement

Replaces 'rule' with 'requirement', focusing on necessity.

primary mandate

Uses 'mandate' instead of 'rule', implying an authoritative command.

overriding principle

Emphasizes the supremacy of the principle.

golden rule

Uses the familiar "golden rule" idiom, implying a universally accepted principle.

core principle

Highlights the central importance of the principle.

chief dictum

Replaces "rule" with "dictum", implying a formal pronouncement or authoritative statement

first commandment

Evokes a sense of religious or moral law.

FAQs

How can I use "cardinal rule" in a sentence?

You can use "cardinal rule" to emphasize the importance of a principle or guideline. For example, "The "cardinal rule" of investing is to diversify your portfolio."

What is the difference between "cardinal rule" and "general rule"?

"Cardinal rule" implies a fundamental and inviolable principle, while "general rule" suggests a guideline that is typically followed but may have exceptions.

What can I say instead of "cardinal rule"?

You can use alternatives like "fundamental principle", "essential guideline", or "basic tenet" depending on the context.

Is it acceptable to break a "cardinal rule"?

Because a "cardinal rule" is considered fundamental, breaking it is generally discouraged and may lead to negative consequences. However, there might be exceptional circumstances where deviating from it is necessary.