endorsed in principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "endorsed in principle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a concept or idea has been approved or supported at a fundamental level, even if details are still to be finalized. Example: "The committee has endorsed in principle the proposal for the new community center, pending further discussions on funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The adoption was attacked by conservative groups that wanted Texas to bar gay adoptions, a position endorsed in principle by Gov. George W. Bush of Texas.

The New York Times

Mr. Pitt has also endorsed in principle a proposal by Senator Jean Carnahan, Democrat of Missouri, to require prompt electronic disclosures of stock trades by senior executives.

The New York Times

Hunt recently endorsed "in principle" patients being charged for not turning up for a GP appointment, as a way of reducing waste in the NHS.

The Guardian

Mr. Hollings has expressed deep skepticism about proposals endorsed in principle by Mr. Powell to loosen regulations on the nation's largest broadcasters to enable them to both grow bigger and acquire newspapers.

The New York Times

A more creative Israel would embrace Palestine's recognition, which it has already endorsed in principle, and then rally allies to its side, to leverage their support in decisive settlement talks.

The New Yorker

In February 1989 the Communist leadership endorsed in principle the multi-party system and the characterisation of the October 1956 revolution as a "popular uprising", rather than, as earlier, a counter-revolutionary coup.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"The government today has determined to endorse in principle all of the recommendations".

The New York Times

During his talk, Senator Wyden called for a standalone agreement to eliminate tariffs on environmentally friendly goods and services, an idea that the business groups endorsed in their principles and which is likely to get new traction over the coming months, particularly if other multilateral trade initiatives continue to stall.

Huffington Post

Today, huge new (non-affordable) housing developments are spreading over the cornfields near Mr Ventura's ranch.Rankled by what he sees from his own back yard, the governor has strongly supported commuter and light rail transport systems and endorsed, in June, ten principles for development put forward by Minnesota's Smart Growth Network.

The Economist

The timetable, known as a "road map," has been criticized by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, though he endorsed it in principle this week.

The New York Times

He has endorsed it in principle, with a number of significant reservations, while Mr. Netanyahu opposes its aim of a Palestinian state within three years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "endorsed in principle" to show that a plan or idea has been accepted at a basic level, but specific details still need to be worked out. For example, "The board has "endorsed in principle" the merger, but the financial terms are still under negotiation."

Common error

Don't assume that "endorsed in principle" means complete agreement. It only signifies basic approval, so clarify the extent of the endorsement to avoid misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "endorsed in principle" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates that something has been approved or supported at a fundamental level, even if specific details are yet to be finalized. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "endorsed in principle" signifies a conditional approval or support for an idea or plan. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, and also within scientific and formal business environments. While the phrase indicates agreement, it's crucial to remember that it doesn't equate to full endorsement, as further details or approvals may still be required. Alternatives like "approved in principle" or "supported in theory" offer similar meanings, depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approved in principle

Replaces "endorsed" with a synonym indicating formal approval.

backed in principle

Uses "backed" as a synonym for "endorsed", suggesting support.

conceptually approved

Highlights the approval of the concept, rather than the specific implementation.

provisionally endorsed

Indicates a temporary or preliminary endorsement.

supported in theory

Focuses on theoretical support rather than formal endorsement.

conceptually supported

Highlights the support for the underlying concept.

accepted in theory

Focuses on the acceptance of the theoretical aspects of the idea.

conditionally approved

Adds a condition to the approval, implying it's not fully guaranteed.

broadly supported

Emphasizes the wide support for the idea.

generally agreed to

Indicates a broad agreement without necessarily implying full commitment.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something is "endorsed in principle"?

To say something is "endorsed in principle" means that it's been approved on a basic level, but specific details or final implementation still need to be worked out. It signifies a general agreement or support for the underlying idea.

How can I use "endorsed in principle" in a sentence?

You might say, "The committee has "endorsed in principle" the proposal for the new park, pending a review of the environmental impact assessment." This indicates that the committee generally supports the idea but needs to address environmental concerns before fully approving it.

What are some alternatives to "endorsed in principle"?

You can use alternatives like "approved in principle", "supported in theory", or "conceptually approved" depending on the context.

Is "endorsed in principle" the same as "fully endorsed"?

No, "endorsed in principle" is not the same as "fully endorsed". "Endorsed in principle" implies a general agreement, while "fully endorsed" signifies complete and unconditional support.