on a principal basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on a principal basis" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to indicate that something is a fundamental or essential part of something else. For example, "We provide our employees with a comprehensive training program on a principal basis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In many markets overseas, trades are booked on a principal basis and two transactions occurone between dealer and exchange, the other between dealer and customer.

Forbes

In the United Kingdom, it operates both on a principal basis, purchasing the salvage vehicle outright from the insurance companies and reselling the vehicle for its own account, and as an agent.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In this paper a particle packing algorithm is proposed which is to be used to predict the behaviour of pellets in the blast furnace on a first principal basis.

Powder Technology

On a principal-weighted basis, the average loss rate was only 0.42percentt.

Forbes

Critics contend that Judge Hudson has unduly restricted Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce, the principal basis on which the government defends the law.

The New York Times

That is to say, he saw that what is apparently the chief source of strength of psychoanalysis, and the principal basis on which its claim to scientific status is grounded, viz.

SEP

To further explore how NEE components and environmental variables are related on a seasonal basis, a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to centered and variance-scaled daily GPP, RE, ETa, T a, T s, R n, PAR, SWC and VPD.

Nature

It is meeting the requirement to pay down interest, while also reducing the principal, on a monthly basis.

The Guardian

"You meet that principal on a regular basis over lunch or supper, and become close to that instrument and understand what it is to be a player in an orchestra like this," explains director of marketing and development Lucy Bird.

BBC

In America, where cable networks pass 95% of homes, regulators have decided that Verizon and AT&T do not have to make their new high-speed networks available to rivals on a wholesale basis; instead, their principal competition will come from cable operators.

The Economist

Light work is codified on a national basis, but in principal it is work that does not conflict with school attendance and is not harmful to child health.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on a principal basis" when you want to emphasize that something is being considered from a foundational or primary viewpoint. For example, 'The company evaluates its investments on a principal basis, focusing on long-term growth.'

Common error

Avoid using "on a principal basis" when you simply mean "in principle". The phrase denotes a core element of evaluation or operation, not merely a theoretical agreement. Ensure the context involves practical application or assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a principal basis" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the manner in which an action is performed or a decision is made. It indicates that something is done or considered from a fundamental or primary viewpoint. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on a principal basis" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is being considered or evaluated from a fundamental or primary viewpoint. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, though relatively rare. It is most commonly found in news, media and science contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure you aim to emphasize a core element of an evaluation or operation, rather than a mere theoretical consideration. Alternatives like "primarily", "principally", or "fundamentally" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

principally

Adverb form directly derived from "principal", closely mirroring the original meaning.

on a fundamental level

Adds emphasis to the foundational aspect, offering a more descriptive alternative.

fundamentally

Emphasizes the basic or essential nature of something.

primarily

Single-word adverb conveying the main aspect, simplifying the phrasing.

in essence

Conveys the most important or basic part of something, providing a concise option.

chiefly

Indicates the main reason or element, offering a slightly more formal tone.

mainly

Focuses on the major part or aspect, presenting a straightforward alternative.

at its core

Highlights the essential nature or central element of something.

basically

Highlights the core or underlying elements, providing a more casual option.

primarily speaking

This alternative is more descriptive, softening the emphasis on priority.

FAQs

How can I use "on a principal basis" in a sentence?

You can use "on a principal basis" to indicate that something is being considered or evaluated from a foundational or primary perspective. For example, "The project's success is judged "primarily" on its impact on the core business functions."

What phrases are similar to "on a principal basis"?

Similar phrases include "principally", "mainly", and "fundamentally". These alternatives can be used to emphasize the core or essential aspects of something.

Is it correct to say 'in principle' instead of "on a principal basis"?

While 'in principle' might seem similar, it refers to a theoretical agreement or a general rule. "On a principal basis" indicates a core element of evaluation or operation, making them distinct in usage.

What's the difference between "on a principal basis" and "primarily"?

"On a principal basis" often suggests a structured or methodical approach to considering something, while "primarily" simply means 'mainly' or 'chiefly'. The former is more suited to formal or business contexts.