key doctrine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "key doctrine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an important principle or belief that is central to a particular field, such as law, religion, or philosophy. Example: "The key doctrine of this legal system emphasizes the importance of individual rights and freedoms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The action itself, and the way its sections both connect and reflect each other, indicate that the movie's key doctrine is the repetition of history.

The New Yorker

"Race science" was all the rage in Europe in those days, and for students of Central Africa the key doctrine was the so-called Hamitic hypothesis, propounded by John Hanning Speke, the Nile explorer.

The New Yorker

The principle – that a community has the right to give or withhold its consent to proposed projects that may affect lands that they customarily own, occupy or use – is now a key doctrine in international law and central to the RSPO's principles and criteria.

The Guardian

At 8 30 pm Bush addressed the nation from the Oval Office in a speech that laid out a key doctrine of his administration's future foreign policy: "We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lefèvre's place on the map of late medieval and Renaissance philosophy is difficult to pinpoint in a single key doctrine or even a single work.

SEP

The importance of rigorous application of theory to solving social problems has been proffered by Birckmayer and Weiss in their Theory-Based Evaluation approach [ 39], and is a key doctrine for health promotion and health education development and evaluation [ 40].

Health Research Policy and Systems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But it departs substantially on key doctrines, a fact that has often made it a target of hostility.

The New York Times

The doctrines concerning the mortality of the individual soul, the eternity of the world, and the existence of a single Mind for the whole human race to the exclusion of individual minds were key doctrines for Averroës; they had some basis but not much in the thought of Aristotle.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"A novice to religion who had never read the Bible before would be able to read through this graphic novel trilogy and have an understanding of some of the key narratives as well as key doctrines in the different books," he says, "especially the Epistles.

The Guardian - Books

Reports of Epicurus' "Key Doctrines" (see the entry on Epicurus) include instead a contractarian view of justice for mutual protection from harm (reminiscent of Glaucon's initial proposal about justice in Republic Book II, which itself seems to echo the nomos-phusis debate among the sophists).

SEP

Kuhn's contribution to the philosophy of science marked not only a break with several key positivist doctrines, but also inaugurated a new style of philosophy of science that brought it closer to the history of science.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "key doctrine", ensure the context clearly establishes what field or system the doctrine belongs to (e.g., political science, religious studies). This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "key doctrine" to describe minor or secondary beliefs. This phrase should be reserved for principles that are truly fundamental and essential to the overall framework.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "key doctrine" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a central and important principle within a system of belief or practice, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "key doctrine" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a fundamental principle or belief within a specific field. As shown by Ludwig, it's most frequently encountered in news, encyclopedic and scientific contexts. While not overly common, the phrase effectively communicates the centrality of a specific idea. To avoid overgeneralization, reserve "key doctrine" for truly essential beliefs. Consider alternatives like "core principle" or "fundamental tenet" to suit different contexts. Remember to clearly establish the field or system to which the "key doctrine" belongs to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

core principle

Replaces "doctrine" with "principle", emphasizing a foundational belief.

fundamental tenet

Substitutes "key" with "fundamental" and "doctrine" with "tenet", stressing the basic nature of the belief.

central precept

Uses "precept" instead of "doctrine", highlighting a rule or guideline.

essential belief

Replaces "doctrine" with "belief", focusing on the acceptance of an idea as true.

cornerstone of the theory

Emphasizes that the doctrine is vital, acting as the base upon which a theory is built.

basic principle

Highlights the simplicity and foundational nature of the doctrine.

primary teaching

Focuses on the instructive aspect of the doctrine.

guiding philosophy

Emphasizes the directional nature of the doctrine, as a philosophy that shows direction.

main article of faith

This emphasizes the acceptance of the doctrine.

pivotal concept

Highlights the doctrine as a turning point or a central idea.

FAQs

How can I use "key doctrine" in a sentence?

You can use "key doctrine" to refer to a central belief or principle within a specific field or system, such as, "A "key doctrine" of this legal system is the presumption of innocence."

What are some alternatives to "key doctrine"?

Some alternatives to "key doctrine" include "core principle", "fundamental tenet", or "essential belief". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "key doctrine" in informal writing?

While "key doctrine" is grammatically correct, it leans towards formal usage. In informal contexts, simpler terms like "basic idea" or "main point" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "key doctrine" and "general principle"?

"Key doctrine" refers to a specific, important belief within a defined system of thought, whereas "general principle" is a broader, more widely applicable guideline. A "key doctrine" is often more specific and integral to a particular framework than a "general principle".