founding principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "founding principle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the original principle on which something was founded or created. For example, "The founding principle of the organization is to promote social justice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Leaving the EU is Ukip's founding principle.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's the founding principle of our party," Messina said.

The New Yorker

THE founding principle of affirmative action was fairness.

The New York Times

That was never a founding principle of the EU.

The Guardian

Open justice is the founding principle of British justice.

The Guardian - Opinion

Emotion helps to explain a (mad) founding principle of the CFP: "relative stability".

The Economist

And that's a problem — do you require registration, which kind of undoes the founding principle?

The New Yorker

We're all brought here saying we have freedom," he said about the country's founding principle.

The New York Times

The founding principle for children's social workers is "the welfare of the child is paramount".

The Guardian

The founding principle of the North Atlantic Treaty was one for all and all for one.

The New York Times

Burden-sharing is a founding principle of the alliance, the solidarity on which it is built.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "founding principle" to clearly denote the original and core belief or idea that initiated something. It adds emphasis to the foundational aspect.

Common error

Avoid using "founding principle" when you actually mean a "guiding principle". A founding principle is the initial basis, while a guiding principle continues to influence decisions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "founding principle" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies or describes the essential concept upon which something is established, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "founding principle" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to denote the core concept upon which something is based. According to Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase, effectively communicating the fundamental idea behind an organization, system, or concept. Its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While alternatives such as "fundamental tenet" or "basic concept" exist, "founding principle" distinctly emphasizes the original and foundational nature of the idea. A key writing tip is to differentiate it from a "guiding principle", which implies ongoing influence rather than initial establishment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental tenet

Replaces "principle" with "tenet", emphasizing a core belief or doctrine.

basic concept

Replaces "founding" with "basic" and "principle" with "concept", focusing on the rudimentary idea.

core philosophy

Replaces "founding" with "core" and "principle" with "philosophy", suggesting a central belief system.

underlying basis

Replaces "founding" with "underlying" and "principle" with "basis", highlighting the foundational support.

essential idea

Replaces "founding" with "essential" and "principle" with "idea", emphasizing the crucial notion.

cornerstone of

Uses a metaphorical term to indicate the fundamental element upon which something is built.

primary basis

Replaces "founding" with "primary", highlighting the most important origin.

key foundation

Replaces "principle" with "foundation", emphasizing the structural base.

central concept

Highlights the notion of being the most important idea.

guiding principle

This shifts the emphasis to how the principle directs actions or decisions, implying a continuous influence rather than just an initial one.

FAQs

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

You can use "founding principle" to describe the core idea or belief upon which an organization, concept, or system was established. For instance, "The "founding principle" of the United Nations is to maintain international peace and security".

What are some alternatives to "founding principle"?

Alternatives include "fundamental tenet", "basic concept", or "core philosophy", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "founding principle" and "guiding principle"?

Yes, a "founding principle" refers to the initial, fundamental concept upon which something is based, whereas a "guiding principle" is a continuing rule or belief that influences decisions and actions over time.

Can "founding principle" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "founding principle" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, although it's more commonly used in formal writing and speech due to its slightly elevated tone. In very informal settings, simpler terms like "basic idea" might be preferred.