no problem in principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "no problem in principle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that, theoretically or conceptually, there is no issue with a proposal or idea, even if practical considerations may still need to be addressed. Example: "While we need to discuss the logistics further, there is no problem in principle with moving forward with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

As the SNP has long taken a self-denying ordinance and doesn't vote on purely English matters, he has no problem in principle with English votes for English laws (or EVEL).

The Guardian

Despite Kazakhstan's other improvements, it still takes ten documents and 81 days to export goods from there, compared with three documents and five days in Estonia.Mr Oyekunle says he has no problem in principle with having to register his companies, apply for permits and so on.

The Economist

But if causation is either by a more ethereal force or energy or only a matter of constant conjunction, there would appear to be no problem in principle with the idea of interaction of mind and body.

SEP

I'll say at the outset that I think Uber is a 10x improvement on existing cabs, and I have no problem in principle with a supply/demand based surge pricing model.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

So within his framework, there are no problems in principle with the idea of a natural science of human being.

SEP

Zivotofsky believes the only reason that Ashkenazi Jews don't have the tradition of eating locusts is because it's extremely rare to get locusts in Europe, so he has no problem - in principle, at least - with eating them.

BBC

Further, while the problem could in principle be seen as a component of a general predator prey analysis (Elliott et al., 1977), as presented, the focus is on setting up the physics.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Turing is best known for a classic paper he published in 1936, "On Computable Numbers, with an Application to the Entscheidungs Problem," in which he addressed the question of whether all mathematical problems could in principle be solved.

Science Magazine

Is there a problem in principle, too?

The Guardian - Opinion

He added: "I don't think anybody has a problem in principle with the idea that if you can put people back to work that is a good thing.

The New York Times

The implication is that the corresponding problem in principle has multiple solutions that satisfy the necessary optimality conditions.

European Journal of Operational Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "no problem in principle" to express agreement with an idea's core concept, even if practical implementation details require further consideration. It acknowledges conceptual validity while leaving room for practical adjustments.

Common error

Avoid assuming that an idea is automatically viable in practice just because there's "no problem in principle". Practical challenges may still exist, requiring further analysis and solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no problem in principle" functions as an idiomatic expression used to convey agreement with a concept or idea at a theoretical or fundamental level, while potentially acknowledging practical challenges or limitations that may exist. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "no problem in principle" is a useful expression to indicate agreement with the fundamental concept of an idea, while acknowledging that practical considerations might still need to be addressed. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. As demonstrated in the provided examples, this phrase is commonly found in news articles, scientific publications, and formal business communications, making it a versatile addition to one's vocabulary. Alternatives like "no issue in theory" or "no objection in principle" offer similar meanings. When using this phrase, remember to address potential practical challenges to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no issue in theory

Replaces "problem" with "issue" and "principle" with "theory", focusing on the theoretical aspect.

agreeable in principle

Focuses on the agreement with the concept at a fundamental level.

no objection in principle

Substitutes "problem" with "objection", highlighting the lack of opposition to the idea.

no principled objection

Highlights the absence of objections based on principles.

acceptable in theory

Highlights the acceptability of the idea on a theoretical level.

conceptually acceptable

Emphasizes that the concept is agreeable, removing the negative framing of "problem".

no fundamental issue

Replaces 'problem' with 'issue', emphasizing that there are no basic disagreements.

theoretically sound

Focuses on the logical and theoretical validity of the idea.

fundamentally sound

Emphasizes that the idea is solid at its core.

generally acceptable in theory

Indicates a wider acceptance of the idea in theoretical terms.

FAQs

What does "no problem in principle" mean?

The phrase "no problem in principle" means that there are no fundamental or theoretical objections to an idea, even if there may be practical challenges to overcome.

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

You can use "no problem in principle" to indicate agreement with a concept while acknowledging potential implementation difficulties. For example: "We have "no problem in principle" with the proposal, but the budget needs to be reviewed."

What are some alternatives to "no problem in principle"?

Alternatives include "no issue in theory", "no objection in principle", or "conceptually acceptable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to follow up "no problem in principle" with a caveat?

While not always necessary, it is often helpful to clarify any potential practical limitations or areas that require further consideration after stating that there is "no problem in principle".