no objection in principle

USAGE SUMMARY

You can use the phrase 'no objection in principle' in written English.
It essentially means that there are no objections or disagreements with an idea, concept, or plan in theory, but that further examination and/or implementation may be necessary. For example, "The board unanimously agreed that the proposal had merit, and there was no objection in principle to the plan moving forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

He told the Iranians he had no objection in principle to such collaboration.

The New York Times

The Scottish Episcopal Church recently decided there was no objection in principle to women becoming bishops.

The Guardian

So there is no objection in principle to religious arguments in political debates.

The New York Times

The majority had no objection in principle to converting the device into a bug; a dissenter would have allowed the eavesdropping even at the expense of safety.

The New York Times

Not only did the candidates respond, but the Chancellor said he had no objection in principle to similar disclosures being required of others standing for elected office.

Independent

Both bidders consulted the Autorité de la Concurrence before offering for SFR, and it seems that there was no objection in principle.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Three days later, a Cabinet Office note records that no objections "in principle" had been raised to transfers to Guantánamo.

The Guardian - Opinion

Stephen Harper, the Canadian prime minister, has said that Canada has no objections "in principle" to Cameron's plan for a crackdown on tax havens.

The Guardian

Argyris Papadimitropoulos, a 35-year-old Greek filmmaker, said he had no objections in principle to the landmark's being used, "as long as it's not whimsical rubbish showing stereotypes with women on donkeys and it's not a postcard image".

The New York Times

In response to a question, scribbled on a copy of the Cabinet Office agenda for 11 January, about the legality of US detention of non-prisoner of war combatants, he offered a scribbled answer: "Consider later if we have to in extremis but it's still dodgy I would think". Three days later, a Cabinet Office note records that no objections "in principle" had been raised to transfers to Guantánamo.

The Guardian - Opinion

Its importance, says Richard Meeran, a partner with Leigh Day, the solicitors who acted for Mr Chandler, is that there is no longer an objection in principle to a parent having a legal duty of care to its subsidiaries' employees.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "no objection in principle" when you want to convey that you agree with the general idea but haven't considered all the details or potential implications yet.

Common error

Avoid using "no objection in principle" when you're ready to fully endorse something. This phrase implies that further scrutiny or development might be needed, so it's not suitable if you're offering unqualified support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no objection in principle" functions as an expression of qualified agreement or acceptance. It indicates that there is no fundamental disagreement with an idea or concept, although specific details or implementation may still require consideration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "no objection in principle" signifies a qualified agreement, indicating that while there's no fundamental disagreement with the core idea, certain details or practical aspects may still require further scrutiny. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in written English to convey initial approval while reserving judgment on specific details. This phrase is commonly used in news, science, business, and encyclopedia contexts, and its register ranges from neutral to formal. While alternatives like "no fundamental disagreement" or "agree in theory" exist, "no objection in principle" offers a nuanced way to express conditional acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no fundamental disagreement

This alternative emphasizes the absence of a basic disagreement, highlighting the core agreement rather than the lack of objection.

no principled opposition

This phrase underscores that there is no opposition rooted in deeply held beliefs or principles.

generally accept the idea

This indicates a broad acceptance of the idea, suggesting overall agreement despite potential minor reservations.

broadly support the concept

Focuses on support for the overarching concept, implying agreement with the general direction or approach.

agree in theory

This alternative highlights agreement from a theoretical standpoint, implying that practical considerations might still pose challenges.

in agreement at a high level

Suggests alignment on the broader aspects, without necessarily delving into specific details.

conceptually approve

This emphasizes approval of the concept itself, independent of its execution or implementation.

accept the premise

Focuses on acceptance of the underlying assumption or foundation upon which something is based.

see no inherent problem

Indicates that there are no immediate or obvious issues with the idea as it stands.

find no initial fault

This suggests a preliminary assessment that reveals no immediate reasons for concern or rejection.

FAQs

How can I use "no objection in principle" in a sentence?

You can use "no objection in principle" to express agreement with the general idea of a plan, suggestion, or concept. For example, "The committee expressed "no objection in principle" to the proposed budget, but requested further details on specific allocations."

What does "no objection in principle" actually mean?

"No objection in principle" means that there is no fundamental disagreement with an idea, plan, or concept. It suggests acceptance of the general idea, even if some details may need further discussion or adjustment.

What can I say instead of "no objection in principle"?

You can use alternatives like "no fundamental disagreement", "generally accept the idea", or "agree in theory", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "no objection in principle" or "no objection in practice"?

The phrases have different meanings. "No objection in principle" suggests agreement with the core concept, while "no objection in practice" implies agreement with the practical application or implementation of something. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.