main principle

USAGE SUMMARY

"main principle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a fundamental truth or idea that forms the basis for a particular belief or action. For example, "One of the main principles of democracy is that people are free to express their opinions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Because our main principle is defense first".

The New York Times - Sports

…in the second main principle, yūgen.

Britannica

"The main principle then was: no compromise," he said.

The New York Times

"Do not harm" remains the main principle in medicine.

The Breast

The main principle is ensuring that any large scheme prioritises social infrastructure when planning.

The Guardian

The main principle involves encouragement of exploratory learning with minimum adult interference.

Stanford University

Connecting the two is the main principle at the heart of regulators' new approach to pay.

The New York Times

Connecting the two is the main principle at the heart of regulators' new approach.

The New York Times

The main principle behind each radioisotopic application method and its sensitivity and benefits will be given.

Nuclear and Radiochemistry

This chapter briefly introduces the main principle of immunoassays in standard diagnosis.

Comprehensive Sampling and Sample Preparation Analytical Techniques for Scientists

Two numerical examples are presented to validate the main principle and the implementability of the scheme.

Journal of the Franklin Institute

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "main principle", ensure that it genuinely represents a core idea, not just a supporting detail. Clarity in this distinction strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "main principle" to describe a concept that is secondary or derived. This can weaken your argument by inflating the importance of less critical elements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "main principle" functions as a noun phrase, identifying a fundamental concept or core idea. It is often used to introduce or emphasize the most important aspect of a theory, method, or belief as showcased by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "main principle" is a widely used and grammatically sound phrase that highlights a fundamental concept or core idea. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase with a neutral to formal register, making it appropriate for diverse contexts, including scientific, news-related, and formal business discussions. While similar phrases exist, like "core tenet" or "fundamental concept", "main principle" distinctly identifies the primary underlying concept. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately represents the central idea to avoid misrepresentation. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is used frequently across different categories, but mostly in Science and News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

core tenet

Focuses on a central belief within a system of thought.

fundamental concept

Highlights the foundational nature of the idea.

key concept

Emphasizes the importance and centrality of the idea.

primary rule

Stresses a guiding regulation that takes precedence.

basic premise

Highlights the foundational assumption upon which something is based.

chief foundation

Emphasizes the principal supportive element.

central idea

Highlights the central or most important thought.

underlying rationale

Focuses on the fundamental reason behind something.

governing law

Implies a directive that has broad influence and authority.

essential guideline

Stresses the critical advisory nature.

FAQs

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

You can use "main principle" to highlight a fundamental concept. For example, "The "main principle" of our work is to remain covert."

What are some alternatives to "main principle"?

Alternatives include "core tenet", "fundamental concept", or "key concept", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the principle is main"?

While grammatically understandable, "the principle is main" is not idiomatic. The standard phrasing is ""main principle"".

What's the difference between "main principle" and "basic principle"?

Both phrases refer to foundational concepts, but ""main principle"" often implies a concept that is central or most important in a specific context, while "basic principle" refers to any fundamental idea.