essential doctrines

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "essential doctrines" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to fundamental beliefs or principles that are considered crucial within a particular context, such as religion or philosophy. Example: "The essential doctrines of the faith provide a foundation for the beliefs and practices of its followers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Religion

Philosophy

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Though we may disagree with Islam in its essential doctrines, our missionaries do not regard Muslims as "evil" people.

The New York Times

Locke was constantly trying to steer a course that would allow individuals to accept the essential doctrines of Christianity while retaining a certain freedom of conscience.

Encyclopedia Britannica

More's chief purpose in the book was to persuade believers that there are only a few essential doctrines of the Church, all other details of one's faith being indifferent to one's salvation, and that all that was required of a good Christian was to recognise and adhere to these essentials.

SEP

Metanoia is based around the concept of impermanence, one of the essential doctrines in Buddhism known as anicca (impermanence) that asserts that the existence of all temporal things, material or mental, is subject to change.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Remember his essential doctrine: he doesn't back losers.

The Guardian

The essential doctrine that Dennett took from Quine was that knowledge -and philosophy - had to be understood as natural processes.

The Guardian - Books

Never mind the extraordinary unity of essential doctrine that millions of us have shared around the world for thousands of years.

The New York Times

Jesus, Rauschenbusch argues, was a revolutionary: "It is an essential doctrine of Christianity that the world is fundamentally good and practically bad, for it was made by God, but is now controlled by sin.

The New York Times - Books

In Richard Linklater's recent animated feature, "Waking Life," a professor (Caveh Zahedi) paraphrases the essential doctrine of the French theorist André Bazin: that film can capture "that guy in that moment in that space".

The New York Times

It has done so with great theological finesse, insisting, for example, on the difference between essential Church doctrine and doctrinal positions that are merely well-established traditions.

The New Yorker

Likewise, the essential facilities doctrine increasingly is viewed as inappropriate or irrelevant to antitrust regulation.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing religious or philosophical beliefs, ensure that you use the phrase "essential doctrines" to accurately reflect the fundamental nature of those beliefs. Provide context to clarify which specific doctrines are being referenced.

Common error

Avoid diluting the impact of "essential doctrines" by including less critical or peripheral beliefs under the same umbrella. Clearly distinguish between core tenets and secondary interpretations or practices to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essential doctrines" functions as a noun phrase, where 'essential' modifies 'doctrines'. It typically acts as the subject or object in a sentence, referring to core principles or beliefs of a system of thought. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "essential doctrines" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote the core tenets or beliefs of a system, often within religion, philosophy, or ideology. Although Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its usage is relatively rare and tends to appear in formal contexts such as news articles, encyclopedias, and academic texts. When using this phrase, ensure you're clearly differentiating between core beliefs and peripheral interpretations to maintain precision. Considering the alternatives like "core tenets" and "fundamental principles" can provide versatility in your writing while conveying the same underlying meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foundational doctrines

Stresses the role of the doctrines as the base upon which something is built.

core tenets

Replaces 'doctrines' with 'tenets', emphasizing fundamental beliefs or principles.

cardinal doctrines

Uses 'cardinal' to indicate the primary or most important doctrines.

fundamental principles

Uses more general terms, suitable for contexts beyond religion or specific ideologies.

basic tenets

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the beliefs.

primary tenets

Focuses on the main or most important beliefs within a system.

key principles

Highlights the importance of the principles.

central beliefs

Focuses on the beliefs at the heart of a system or ideology.

indispensable principles

Highlights the necessity of these principles.

vital tenets

Emphasizes the importance and necessity of the tenets.

FAQs

How can I use "essential doctrines" in a sentence?

You can use "essential doctrines" to refer to the core beliefs of a religion, philosophy, or any system of thought. For example: "Understanding the "essential doctrines" of Christianity is crucial for theological studies".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "essential doctrines"?

Alternatives to "essential doctrines" include "core tenets", "fundamental principles", or "basic beliefs", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "essential doctrines" and "established traditions"?

"Essential doctrines" refer to the core, non-negotiable beliefs, while "established traditions" are practices or customs that have developed over time but may not be as fundamental to the system of belief.

Are "essential doctrines" the same across all religions?

No, "essential doctrines" vary significantly between religions. Each religion has its own unique set of "fundamental beliefs" that define its core identity.