conform to principles

USAGE SUMMARY

'conform to principles' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when talking about aligning behavior or actions with a set of principles or rules. For example, "We strive to always conform to principles of fairness and respect in all of our business dealings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

When considered in the environmental context, identified species conform to principles of optimal foraging.

Journal of Archaeological Science

But legal experts said the court would closely scrutinize any challenged sections to make sure they conform to principles set today.

The New York Times

Tama Taylor Holve, the chief operating officer of Willett Travel, a Leisure Travel Group agency in Studio City, Calif., even had the furniture in a client's London hotel room rearranged to conform to principles of feng shui.

The New York Times

It said the the bill "grants overly broad powers for very intrusive surveillance on the basis of vast and badly defined objectives" and called on France to "guarantee that any interference in private life must conform to principles of legality, proportionality and necessity".

The Guardian

We merely need to reinstate the strategy that was espoused both by the Tories and Labour in the pre-Thatcher years – treat each individual farm as a business (a million miles from Stalin's state-owned collectives) but ensure that all businesses of all kinds conform to principles of common sense and common morality.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bratman (1987, Ch. 3) argues that these advantages are best secured if our intentions are consistent with one another and with our beliefs, and if they conform to principles of means-end coherence for instance, that when we intend E and believe that intending M is necessary to achieve E, we also intend M.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

All investigations conformed to principles defined in the Helsinki Declaration.

Europace

Both studies conformed to principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and were approved by the institutional ethics committee at Deutsches Herzzentrum (Munich, Germany).

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Was the idea to conform to P.C. principles and not have anyone asking tough questions?

The New York Times

Scholars debate the extent to which these practices conform to broader principles of gender equality.

Stanford University

Article 21 of the German Constitution, to which Mr. Kohl swore allegiance, is clear on the subject of political parties: "Their internal organization must conform to democratic principles.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "conform to principles", ensure that the specific principles are clearly defined or easily understood within the context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "conform to principles" without specifying which principles are being referenced, which can lead to confusion or misinterpretation. Always clarify the principles for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conform to principles" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of aligning or adjusting behavior to meet certain established guidelines or ideals. Ludwig shows it's used to describe adherence to rules in diverse contexts, ranging from legal to ethical standards.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conform to principles" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express adherence to established guidelines, ethical standards, or values. According to Ludwig, the phrase is most commonly found in scientific and news-related contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to specify the principles being referenced. Alternatives such as ""adhere to standards"" or ""comply with guidelines"" can be used depending on the specific nuances you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Act in accordance with principles

Highlights aligning actions and behaviors with specific principles.

Adhere to standards

Implies a strict and unwavering commitment to established guidelines.

Comply with guidelines

Focuses on meeting specific requirements or regulations.

Abide by rules

Emphasizes following a set of established rules or laws.

Follow established norms

Stresses adherence to accepted standards of behavior or practice.

Align with values

Suggests a harmonization or agreement with a defined set of values.

Be consistent with doctrines

Signifies a consistent adherence to established beliefs or teachings.

Keep within bounds of morality

Specifically implies moral or ethical limitations are respected.

Be faithful to ideals

Implies dedication and loyalty to a set of guiding ideals.

Uphold tenets

Focuses on supporting and defending core beliefs or principles.

FAQs

How can I use "conform to principles" in a sentence?

You can use "conform to principles" to describe actions or behaviors that align with a set of guiding rules or values. For example, "All our business operations "adhere to ethical guidelines" and "uphold legal standards"".

What are some alternatives to "conform to principles"?

Alternatives include phrases like "adhere to standards", "comply with guidelines", or "act in accordance with principles" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "conform to principles" or "adhere to principles"?

Both "conform to principles" and "adhere to principles" are correct, but "adhere to principles" often implies a stricter and more unwavering commitment.

What's the difference between "conform to principles" and "comply with regulations"?

"Conform to principles" suggests alignment with broad ethical or moral guidelines, while "comply with regulations" refers to meeting specific legal or regulatory requirements.