essential tenets

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "essential tenets" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to fundamental principles or beliefs that are considered crucial to a particular philosophy, ideology, or system. Example: "The essential tenets of the organization emphasize integrity, transparency, and community engagement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Some of his critics say that he has abandoned the essential tenets of a free society.

The Guardian - Opinion

Today, there are few true adventure playgrounds left, but occasionally another is built that follows all the essential tenets, such as the Kilburn Grange Park playground in north London, designed last year by Erect Architecture and based on the ideas of local kids.

The Guardian - Arts

Ms. Wasserstein drew on her own experience as a smart, well-educated, funny Manhattanite who wasn't particularly lucky in romance to create heroines in a similar mold, women who embraced the essential tenets of the feminist movement but didn't have the stomach for stridency.

The New York Times

A social scientist recently calculated that, strictly speaking, there is no such thing as "the middle classes", merely a dozen or so socio-economic categories with some kind of affinity to what used to be thought of as the essential tenets of bourgeois life.

The Guardian - Books

All major religions have changed so much over time, and sprouted so many branches, that a common rule of thumb is: if they say they're Muslim, Christian, or Buddhist and don't reject the most essential tenets of the faith, then that's what they are.

The New Yorker

Regardless of the stem type, the essential tenets of long-term fixation and osseointegration remain obtaining adequate mechanical stability and intimate prosthesis contact with viable host bone.

Seminars in Arthroplasty

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Sojourners' campaigns manager, the Rev. Beau Underwood, said, "An essential tenet of Christianity is to love our neighbors".

The New York Times

The fatwa accuses Majidi and Rahman of sacrilege and calls for them to re-solemnise their marriages and re-read the kalima, an essential tenet of Islam.

The Guardian - Film

"We see the ability of whistleblowers to bring forward misconducts or acts of corruption as an essential tenet to open government," said Danielle Brian, executive director of the Project on Government Oversight, which joined other advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, in writing Mr. Obama last week to demand an explanation.

The New York Times

The essential tenet of evidence-based medicine is that patients, working with their physicians and armed with medical data, are better equipped to make decisions that work for them than doctors of the Marcus Welby model are, because they understand their own expectations better than their physicians can.

The New York Times - Magazine

Moreover, the UNCRPD also emphasizes in Articles 3 and 9 an essential tenet for inclusion and participation accessibility.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "essential tenets" to refer to the most important and fundamental principles of a belief system, philosophy, or practice. Ensure that the context clearly establishes what these tenets are and why they are considered essential.

Common error

While "essential tenets" is a perfectly valid phrase, it is more appropriate for formal or academic writing. Avoid using it in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "basic beliefs" or "core ideas" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essential tenets" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the most important principles or beliefs that form the foundation of a system, philosophy, or ideology. As noted by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "essential tenets" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that refers to the core principles or beliefs of a system or philosophy. While Ludwig indicates that the phrase is perfectly acceptable, its usage is more common in formal contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedic writings, making it less suitable for casual communication. Alternatives like "fundamental principles" or "core beliefs" can be used for similar meanings. Remember to use this phrase when you want to highlight the foundational aspects of a belief system, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental principles

Focuses on the foundational aspect of the beliefs.

core beliefs

Emphasizes the centrality and importance of the beliefs.

basic doctrines

Highlights the established and formal nature of the principles.

key principles

Stresses the importance and significance of the tenets.

cornerstone principles

Implies that these principles are vital for something to exist or function.

underlying principles

Focuses on the foundational and less visible aspects of the beliefs.

foundational concepts

Highlights the role of the tenets in forming a base for further understanding.

central doctrines

Emphasizes the core and established nature of the beliefs.

indispensable elements

Focuses on the necessity of the tenets.

vital components

Highlights the importance of the tenets as parts of a larger system.

FAQs

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

You can use "essential tenets" to describe the fundamental principles of a belief system, philosophy, or practice. For example, "One of the "essential tenets" of democracy is freedom of speech".

What are some alternatives to "essential tenets"?

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

Is it appropriate to use "essential tenets" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "essential tenets" is generally more suitable for formal or academic writing. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "basic beliefs" or "key ideas" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "essential tenets" and "fundamental principles"?

While similar, "essential tenets" often refers to the core doctrines of a specific belief system, while "fundamental principles" can be broader and apply to any foundational concept. The choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality desired.