in my principles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in my principles" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used when discussing personal beliefs or values, but it is more typical to say "according to my principles" or "in line with my principles." Example: "In my principles, honesty and integrity are paramount in all dealings."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I feel like a kid — in my principles, the way I think about things".

The New Yorker

You can say: I still believe in my principles, but I love you.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I've seen conservative from around the country come together because you believe in my conservative principles, and I'm counting on you again to help make sure that a fair election took place last week.

Huffington Post

Never a woman to back down, she said: "I believe in sticking to my principles.

The New York Times

Uniqlo was an opportunity to test my principles in a new field.

The New York Times

I argue in the book that my principles were the same throughout.

The New York Times - Magazine

I only want to work with founders and invest in companies that share my principles.

TechCrunch

My principles in tatters on the floor.

Vice

"But I can't give up my principles and in any case will get my money for done job".

The New York Times

"Madam Speaker, this bill offends my principles, but I'm gonna vote for this bill in order to preserve my principles".

Huffington Post

He added: "This bill offends my principles, but I'm going to vote for this bill in order to preserve my principles, in order to preserve this free enterprise system.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common alternatives like "according to my principles" or "based on my principles" for clearer and more natural-sounding writing. While "in my principles" is understandable, it may come across as slightly awkward to some readers.

Common error

While understandable, consistently using "in my principles" can make your writing sound repetitive or unnatural. Vary your phrasing by using synonyms like "according to my values" or rephrasing the sentence to emphasize the principle itself. This will enhance clarity and readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in my principles" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating alignment or consistency with personal beliefs. While understandable, it is less common than alternatives. Ludwig indicates that while it's acceptable, it's not a standard usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in my principles" is an acceptable, albeit somewhat uncommon, way to express alignment with one's personal beliefs. Ludwig highlights that while understandable, more conventional phrases like "according to my principles" are generally preferred. The phrase functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating a connection between an action and a person's ethical code and it appears in News & Media and Science contexts. It is essential to consider the audience and context when choosing this phrase, as using alternatives often leads to clearer and more impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

according to my principles

Emphasizes adherence to a set of moral or ethical guidelines.

based on my principles

Highlights the foundation of actions or decisions on personal beliefs.

guided by my principles

Focuses on the directional influence of principles on behavior.

in accordance with my principles

A more formal way of saying "according to my principles", stressing agreement.

consistent with my principles

Highlights the alignment and lack of contradiction with one's values.

in line with my principles

Indicates that something is in harmony or agreement with one's beliefs.

true to my principles

Emphasizes faithfulness and unwavering adherence to one's core beliefs.

by my standards

Focuses on personal evaluation criteria, which can encompass principles.

given my values

Highlights the importance of personal values in shaping one's perspective.

from my perspective

Shifts the focus to a personal viewpoint informed by underlying principles.

FAQs

What is a more common way to express "in my principles"?

Alternatives such as "according to my principles", "based on my principles", or "in line with my principles" are generally more common and natural-sounding.

Is "in my principles" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "in my principles" is less frequently used and may sound awkward. It's generally better to opt for a more conventional phrasing like "according to my principles" or "guided by my principles".

How can I use "in my principles" in a sentence?

You could say something like, "I feel like a kid – "in my principles", the way I think about things." However, consider if a more common phrasing would be clearer and more impactful. For example: "I feel like a kid – according to my principles".

What's the difference between "in my principles" and "according to my principles"?

"According to my principles" is a more widely accepted and frequently used phrase. While "in my principles" is understandable, "according to my principles" is generally preferred for its clarity and conventional usage.