central principles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "central principles" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main or most important ideas or beliefs that guide a particular system, organization, or philosophy. Example: "The central principles of our organization focus on integrity, innovation, and collaboration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Foreground music violated all the central principles of Stimulus Progression.

The New Yorker

Crucially, there are no central principles of fair play or equal opportunity.

The Guardian - Opinion

But supporters of the Senate legislation said they hoped to keep their central principles intact.

The New York Times

"The principle of collage is one of the central principles of art in this century and it seems also to me to be one of the central principles of literature," Barthelme said at a symposium on fiction in 1975.

The New Yorker

In any democracy, policy adjustments will be made, even as the central principles guiding the nation are upheld.

The New York Times

Denying sources access to final copy before publication is one of the central principles of good journalism.

The Guardian

With Shannon's own words in mind, we can now review the central principles of classical information theory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It's the president's obligation to comply with the Constitution," said Rodolfo Echeverría, secretary general of the PRI, "and the Constitution sets nonintervention as one of our central principles".

The New York Times

The only dissenter was, not surprisingly, Mark Porter of the BMA, who felt that we are "risking the central principles of NHS care by going down this road of choice linked with competition".

The Guardian

For the Guardian that should be a particular concern as one of the central principles on which our liberal journalism is based is social justice and giving a voice to those communities that are marginalised.

The Guardian

QUESTION FROM ALEX: Does "localized" discourse (like your story about Chris Berman and his factory) have a role to play in trying to reunite the country around some central principles?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "central principles", ensure that the context clearly defines what these principles apply to. Specificity enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "central principles" in overly broad or vague contexts. Always specify the domain or area to which these principles are central. For instance, instead of saying 'The central principles are important', specify 'The central principles of data privacy are important'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "central principles" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It identifies the core tenets or fundamental concepts that underpin a system, philosophy, or organization. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Unknown

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "central principles" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that refers to the core, foundational ideas or beliefs guiding a system, organization, or philosophy. According to Ludwig, it is widely employed in various contexts, particularly in news, science, encyclopedias and formal communications. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the domain to which the principles are central and avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives like "core tenets" or "fundamental principles" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

core tenets

Emphasizes the foundational and essential nature of the principles.

fundamental principles

Highlights the basic and essential nature of the guiding ideas.

key principles

Focuses on the importance and significance of the principles.

basic tenets

Highlights the fundamental and foundational aspect.

essential guidelines

Shifts focus to guidelines that are absolutely necessary.

guiding principles

Emphasizes the role of principles in directing actions or decisions.

underlying principles

Focuses on the principles that form the basis or foundation.

main precepts

Replaces 'principles' with 'precepts', highlighting rules or guidelines.

primary directives

Substitutes 'principles' with 'directives', suggesting authoritative instructions.

cornerstones

This metaphor refers to essential and indispensable principles that hold something together.

FAQs

How can I use "central principles" in a sentence?

You can use "central principles" to refer to the most important or fundamental ideas or beliefs that guide a particular system, organization, or philosophy. For example: "Integrity and transparency are the "central principles" of our organization".

What are some alternatives to using "central principles"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "core tenets", "fundamental principles", or "key principles".

What is the difference between "central principles" and "core values"?

"Central principles" refer to the foundational ideas or doctrines that guide a field or organization, whereas "core values" are the ethical beliefs that drive behavior and culture. While related, principles are more about concept, values are more on what you find important.

Is it correct to say "the principle centrals" instead of "central principles"?

No, "the principle centrals" is not a standard or grammatically correct phrase in English. The correct phrasing is ""central principles"", where "central" modifies the plural noun "principles".