on these principles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on these principles" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to specific foundational ideas or beliefs that guide actions or decisions. Example: "Our organization operates on these principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When deciding on these principles, peoples do not know how big, rich, prosperous, or powerful they will be.

SEP

Negotiations on these principles failed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On these principles there is plenty of common ground.

The Guardian - Arts

Songs based on these principles are taught to the group.

University of California, Berkeley

Plots, therefore, constructed on these principles are necessarily the best.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But the defendants' reliance on these principles is misplaced.

Harvard University

And these will be our first priorities, and on these principles, there will be no compromise.

The New York Times

Relations based on these principles will serve the interests of all nations".

The Guardian

I've worked my whole career on this and on these principles.

The New Yorker

As president, I tried to act on these principles every day.

The New York Times

They need to insist on these principles, and offer support to kick-start the economy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and context. While versatile, "on these principles" may sound more formal than alternatives like "based on" or "guided by".

Common error

Avoid using "on these principles" when referring to mere preferences or opinions. The phrase implies a structured, reasoned basis, not just a personal inclination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on these principles" typically functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. According to Ludwig, it indicates the basis or foundation upon which an action, decision, or belief is predicated, providing a rationale or justification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

28%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on these principles" is a grammatically sound and widely used prepositional phrase that signifies actions or decisions rooted in a clearly defined set of guidelines. According to Ludwig, it's most suited for formal and neutral contexts such as news, academic writing, and business communications, conveying a sense of reasoned justification. When writing, clearly define the principles you're referencing to avoid ambiguity. Consider using alternatives like "based on these principles" or "according to these principles" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

based on these principles

This alternative focuses on the foundation or origin of an action or decision.

according to these principles

This option highlights compliance and adherence to a set of rules.

guided by these principles

This phrase emphasizes the role of the principles in directing actions.

in accordance with these principles

This suggests a formal agreement or alignment with the specified principles.

consistent with these principles

This highlights the uniformity and lack of contradiction with the principles.

following these principles

This alternative stresses the act of adhering to and implementing the principles.

in line with these principles

Emphasizes alignment and agreement with the stated principles.

operating under these principles

Highlights the active implementation of the principles within a system.

premised on these principles

Highlights the foundational role of these principles

grounded in these principles

Similar to "premised on these principles", this version emphasizes the deep rooted nature of the principles.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "on these principles" in a sentence?

Use "on these principles" to indicate that an action, decision, or belief is based upon a clearly defined set of foundational ideas. For example, "The company's decisions are made "on these principles" of sustainability and ethical sourcing".

What are some alternatives to "on these principles" that I can use?

You can use alternatives like "based on these principles", "according to these principles", or "guided by these principles" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between saying "based on these principles" and "on these principles"?

While the meanings are very similar, "based on these principles" emphasizes the foundation upon which something is built, while ""on these principles"" focuses more on the active adherence or operation in accordance with the principles.

In what contexts is "on these principles" most appropriate?

"On these principles" is suitable for academic writing, formal reports, business communications, and any situation where you need to emphasize a reasoned and structured approach based on established guidelines.