first principal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first principal" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a misinterpretation of "first principle," which refers to a fundamental truth or assumption that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or reasoning. Example: "To solve this complex problem, we need to break it down to its first principles and analyze each component."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is her first principal role on Broadway.

The New York Times

A white man from Georgia, James L. Sibley, was the first principal.

The New York Times

First principal component.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

Only the first principal component was retainede.

Health Economics Review

Only the first principal component was retainedf.

Health Economics Review

No construct showed negative correlation with the first principal component.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

The first principal component is asymmetric relative to the poles.

Advances in Space Research

Namely, determining the sign of biaxial stress ratio is required to measure the first principal stress, since the basic equation to obtain the first principal stress is different.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Geometrically, the first principal component points in the direction with the largest variance.

Open Geospatial Data, Software and Standards

Figure 4 The 12 first principal components of the facial data and their percentage of variance.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

The first principal component accounted for 99.8% of the total variance, the second for 0.14%.

Geoderma

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Although commonly found, especially in technical writing, consider replacing "first principal" with grammatically correct alternatives like "fundamental principle" or "primary principle" to improve clarity and adherence to standard English.

Common error

Avoid confusing "first principal" with the term "first principle", which refers to a foundational concept in reasoning. While similar sounding, they have distinct meanings and applications. Using "first principal" when you mean "first principle" is a common error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first principal" typically functions as a modifier and noun, often found in technical or scientific contexts where it attempts to identify a leading or primary concept. However, Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

15%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "first principal" appears frequently, especially within scientific literature, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning generally revolves around identifying a fundamental or leading principle. To ensure grammatical correctness and clarity, it's best to use alternatives like ""fundamental principle"" or ""primary principle"". While usage patterns show prevalence in scientific contexts, adhering to standard English improves overall communication and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary principle

Replaces "first" with "primary", emphasizing fundamental importance.

fundamental principle

Substitutes "first" with "fundamental", highlighting the foundational aspect.

basic principle

Uses "basic" instead of "first", focusing on the elementary nature of the principle.

initial principle

Replaces "first" with "initial", denoting the starting point.

leading principle

Substitutes "first" with "leading", suggesting a guiding or directive role.

main principle

Uses "main" instead of "first", emphasizing the most important aspect.

core principle

Replaces "first" with "core", indicating the central or essential nature.

key principle

Substitutes "first" with "key", highlighting a crucial aspect.

principal concept

Replaces "principle" with "concept", shifting the focus to an idea or notion.

primary concept

Combines "primary" and "concept" to convey a fundamental idea.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "first principle"?

The term "first principle" refers to a basic, self-evident truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a chain of reasoning. For example, "To truly understand this technology, you must go back to its "first principles" and examine how it works from the ground up."

Is "first principal" grammatically correct?

No, "first principal" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. A more suitable term would be "fundamental principle" or "primary principle".

When should I use "fundamental principle" instead of "first principal"?

You should use "fundamental principle" when referring to a foundational concept or idea that serves as the basis for further reasoning or understanding. Ludwig AI identifies "first principal" as incorrect, suggesting "fundamental principle" is the better choice.

What are some alternatives to "first principal"?

Alternatives to "first principal" include "primary principle", "basic principle", and "initial principle". The most suitable choice will depend on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.