fundamental principles

USAGE SUMMARY

"fundamental principles" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a set of important principles that form the basis of something, such as an ideology or philosophy. For example, "The Declaration of Independence outlines the fundamental principles of American democracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are two fundamental principles.

SEP

What are the fundamental principles in play?

Independent

The fundamental principles have been adhered to.

The Guardian - Business

These are the fundamental principles of any just society.

The Guardian

The NHS is founded on three fundamental principles.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, they modified two of Marx's fundamental principles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The framers of the Constitution understood those fundamental principles, and so do the American people.

The New York Times

"Germany will not tamper with the fundamental principles of free movement in the EU," Merkel said.

The Guardian

You can see the falling away from fundamental principles in the degeneration of Hacked Off.

The Guardian - Opinion

2. Legg has decided that "fundamental principles of propriety" are more important than the rules.

The Guardian

"This goes against the most fundamental principles of American foreign policy".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fundamental principles", ensure the context clearly establishes what these principles underpin, like a theory, system, or organization.

Common error

Avoid using "fundamental principles" without specifying their relevance or application. Vague references diminish their impact and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fundamental principles" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fundamental principles" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that describes foundational concepts or beliefs. According to Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for use in written English to refer to the important principles that form the basis of something. It appears most often in News & Media and Scientific contexts, indicating a wide range of applications from political discourse to scientific theory. The phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to establish a clear and solid foundation for further discussion or analysis. To maximize impact, writers should ensure these principles are clearly defined and relevant to the context. By avoiding overgeneralization and providing specific applications, the phrase can significantly strengthen the clarity and persuasiveness of any argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main principles

Focuses on the primary or most important principles, suggesting a narrowing of scope.

essential principles

Highlights the indispensable nature of the principles, emphasizing their necessity.

basic principles

Emphasizes the foundational and elementary nature of the principles.

core tenets

Replaces "principles" with "tenets", suggesting a belief system or doctrine.

key foundations

Uses "foundations" to underscore the idea of a base or groundwork, shifting the focus from rules to supporting structures.

cornerstones

Implies an indispensable quality, like the stones that are required for buildings to stand up.

underlying principles

Highlights the principles that exist beneath the surface, influencing or determining other things.

governing laws

Shifts the context toward formal rules and regulations, implying a more structured and enforceable set of principles.

bedrock principles

Conveys the sense of fundamental and stable rules.

seminal concepts

Emphasizes the groundbreaking and influential nature of the ideas, moving away from rules to emphasize ideas.

FAQs

How are "fundamental principles" used in a sentence?

"Fundamental principles" often serve as the basis for an argument, a system, or a belief. For instance, "The constitution outlines the "fundamental principles" of democracy".

What phrases can I use instead of "fundamental principles"?

You can use alternatives such as "main principles", "core tenets", or "essential principles" depending on the context.

Are "fundamental principles" the same as "basic principles"?

While similar, "basic principles" often refer to simpler, introductory concepts, whereas "fundamental principles" suggest more foundational and critical concepts.

What's the difference between "fundamental principles" and "underlying principles"?

"Underlying principles" are often implicit and less obvious, while "fundamental principles" are typically explicit and form the core of a system or belief.