governing tenet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "governing tenet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a fundamental principle or belief that guides actions or decisions within a particular context, such as a philosophy, organization, or system. Example: "The governing tenet of our organization is to prioritize sustainability in all our projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Given the governing tenet of Peter's life — above all, he must never leave childhood — failures of memory are all but forced upon him.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Given that the degree of substrate specificity exhibited by an RS is functionally coupled to the accuracy of protein translation, the RS is restrained by tremendous selective pressure; therefore, integration of structural approaches with directed evolution of RSs can expand upon our understanding of the evolutionary tenets governing substrate specificity and selection.

ACS Chemical Biology

Paradoxically, our nation's organ policy is governed by a tenet that closes off a large supply of potential organs — the notion that organs from any donor, deceased or living, must be given freely.

The New York Times

It seems to me that we may be at a societal crossroads at which we are faced with a choice between the embrace of religious diversity or the development of a Constantine-like city-state that is governed by the tenets of the scriptures.

Huffington Post

A crucial tenet of Mr. Bloomberg's governing philosophy has long been that a complex city like New York requires good managers more than technical experts.

The New York Times

But accuracy and logic have never been the tenets of Colonel Qaddafi's governing philosophy, and their absence is especially conspicuous now, as rebels pose the greatest challenge to his four decades of enigmatic rule.

The New York Times

Yet even within Iran's theocratic governing system, Mr Ahmadinejad's decision to bring Shia Islam's most fundamental tenet into the political arena is deeply controversial.

The Guardian

The Mature Anarchy model bases its logics on the tenets of liberalism and requires an increased delegation of the state's governing functions to specific international organizations acting on behalf of respective international regimes.

European Journal of Futures Research

Despite MEPs being elected and leaders on the EU council each having their own mandates, it has become a tenet of Euroscepticism that the union is too remote from the people it is governing.

The Guardian

Ideological purity is not the ticket back to the promised land of governing majorities — indeed, it was when we began to emphasize social issues to the detriment of some of our basic tenets as a party that we encountered an electoral backlash.

The New York Times

Discusses the laws governing salvage.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "governing tenet" when you want to emphasize a fundamental principle that actively guides or controls a specific area or system. It's particularly effective when discussing philosophies, organizational structures, or belief systems.

Common error

Avoid using "governing tenet" in casual or informal writing. Simpler terms like "core belief" or "main principle" are often more appropriate and sound less pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "governing tenet" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a fundamental principle that guides or controls something. The example provided by Ludwig shows it describing a principle that dictates failures of memory in a fictional character. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

31%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "governing tenet" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a fundamental principle that guides or controls something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While accurate, it is relatively infrequent, and in some situations, simpler alternatives like ""core principle"" or "guiding principle" may be more appropriate. The phrase appears mainly in news, scientific, and formal contexts, lending itself to a more serious and often academic tone. When using it, be sure to emphasize how this tenet serves to guide or control the actions or base of the topic being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

core principle

Replaces "tenet" with "principle", emphasizing a fundamental truth or foundation.

fundamental principle

Adds "fundamental" for emphasis on the foundational nature of the principle.

guiding principle

Focuses on the principle's role in directing actions or decisions.

basic tenet

Replaces "governing" with "basic", highlighting the foundational aspect.

underlying principle

Emphasizes the principle's role as a base or foundation for something else.

central tenet

Highlights the importance and centrality of the tenet.

key principle

Highlights that it is a very important principle.

primary doctrine

Swaps 'tenet' for 'doctrine' for a more formal, often religious or political, connotation.

foundational belief

Replaces "tenet" with "belief", shifting the focus to a conviction or acceptance.

dominant ideology

Focuses on a set of beliefs or ideas that are prevalent and influential.

FAQs

How can I use "governing tenet" in a sentence?

You can use "governing tenet" to describe a core principle that guides actions or decisions. For example: "The "core principle" of our organization is to prioritize sustainability."

What can I say instead of "governing tenet"?

Alternatives to "governing tenet" include ""core principle"", "fundamental belief", or "guiding principle", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "governing tenet" formal or informal?

"Governing tenet" tends to be more formal. Simpler alternatives like "basic idea" might be more suitable for informal contexts.

What is the difference between "governing tenet" and "core value"?

While both terms refer to important principles, a "governing tenet" specifically implies a principle that guides or controls actions. "Core value", on the other hand, refers to a belief that is held dear and influences behavior more broadly.