for their principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for their principle" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to refer to a principle that belongs to someone, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The committee acted in accordance with their principle of fairness."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Other bonds bought by the public are not marketable but can be redeemed, at least after a specified period, for their principle plus accrued interest.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If he opts for the latter, he will win plaudits among those who admire people for their principles.

The Guardian - Opinion

But some attendees responded that journalists rarely get the right, best case to fight for their principles.

The New York Times

Macaulay reformed archaic discriminatory laws in Calcutta more out of distaste for their principles than dislike of their practical impact.

The Economist

For a moment I was almost about to cheer the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers for standing up for their principles.

The Guardian - Opinion

Back in the 1980s, our media portrayed Prague dissidents as selfless academics who were reduced to poverty for their principles, when they were in fact receiving $600-monthly 600-monthly stipends

The Guardian

"History will honor these departments and their leaders for their principles, professionalism and independence," Anthony Romero, the organization's director, said in a statement, "and we urge their fellow leaders around the nation to join them.

The New York Times

Still, historically informed descriptions of what people believed don't explain why colonists stood up for their principles only some of the time, and why they disagreed so acrimoniously that they were willing to dip one another in tar barrels.

The New Yorker

"The best way to get to 60 is to have a core group of Republicans who really do what they say and stand for their principles," Mr. DeMint said.

The New York Times

For on Thursday June 21 in London, a group of people are going to take a stand for their principles in a way that involves real courage, admirable courage, and which at the same time lights a torch of hope in a dark quadrant of the world's affairs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Still, some Republicans in Congress, especially in the House, are uneasy about Mr. Bush's willingness to give ground so readily to Democrats on education, saying they would have preferred to fight for their principles, as they did on taxes, even at the risk of defeat.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the plural form "principles" when referring to a person's moral code or set of beliefs. For example, say "they stood up for their principles" instead of "for their principle".

Common error

Don't confuse the singular noun "principle", which refers to a fundamental truth or proposition, with the plural noun "principles", which refers to a set of moral beliefs. Using "principle" in place of "principles" is a common grammatical mistake.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for their principle" functions as a prepositional phrase, but it is grammatically incorrect. It seems intended to express the reason or motivation behind someone's action, but it incorrectly uses the singular form "principle" instead of the plural "principles". Ludwig AI confirms this is non standard.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for their principle" is grammatically incorrect. It appears to be an attempt to convey that someone is acting in accordance with their moral beliefs, but it mistakenly uses the singular noun "principle" instead of the plural noun "principles". As Ludwig AI points out, this usage is not standard in written English. While examples can be found across various sources, including encyclopedias and news media, the grammatical error makes it unsuitable for formal or professional writing. Therefore, it's best to use alternative phrases like "for their principles" or "because of their "beliefs"" to accurately and effectively express the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for their principles

Corrects the grammar by using the plural "principles", implying a set of moral beliefs.

because of their beliefs

Uses "beliefs" to convey the reasons behind their actions or decisions.

due to their values

Emphasizes that their actions are motivated by a deeply held set of values.

in accordance with their principles

Highlights adherence to a specific code of conduct or ethics.

based on their convictions

Focuses on firmly held beliefs that influence their behavior.

guided by their ideals

Suggests that their actions are inspired by high standards or goals.

motivated by their ethics

Highlights the moral code that drives their behavior.

driven by their conscience

Emphasizes that their actions are dictated by a sense of right and wrong.

in defense of their principles

Implies an active protection or advocacy of their core beliefs.

to uphold their values

Focuses on maintaining and promoting their values in the face of challenges.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say someone is acting according to their beliefs?

The correct phrase is "acting according to their "principles"". The word "principle" refers to a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior, while "principles" (plural) refers to a set of moral rules.

What can I say instead of "for their principle" to describe moral convictions?

Instead of "for their principle", you can use phrases like "for their principles", "because of their "beliefs"", or "guided by their "values"". These alternatives more accurately convey the idea of acting based on a set of deeply held convictions.

Is it grammatically correct to use "principle" in the singular when referring to someone's beliefs?

No, it is not grammatically correct. When discussing someone's moral code or set of beliefs, the plural form ""principles"" should be used. The singular form "principle" refers to a single fundamental rule or idea.

How does "principle" differ from ""principles"" in terms of usage?

"Principle" (singular) refers to a fundamental truth or proposition, while "principles" (plural) refers to a collection of moral or ethical guidelines. For example, you might discuss the "principle of gravity", but you would say someone "lives by their principles".