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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
principal basis for
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "principal basis for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the main reason or foundation for something. Example: "The principal basis for our decision to proceed with the project was the positive feedback from our initial research."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(17)
main reason for
primary foundation for
chief justification for
central reason for
key factor in
underlying cause of
fundamental principle of
driving force behind
essential component of
major basis for
primary basis for
principal reason for
main basis for
basic justification for
fundamental reason for
primary reason for
underlying reason for
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
14 human-written examples
The findings provide the principal basis for the federal panel's recommendation on Monday.
News & Media
It doesn't... JUSTICE SCALIA: Is that a principal basis for distinguishing this from other situations?
News & Media
In 1905, Harvard College adopted the College Entrance Examination Board tests as the principal basis for admission, which meant that virtually any academically gifted high-school senior who could afford a private college had a straightforward shot at attending.
News & Media
They are used as the principal basis for the proposed scheduling algorithm.
In the statistical literature, the principal basis for comparison of sampling designs is generally the precision achieved by each design.
Decompression-driven rifting, especially when associated with georeactor-produced heat channeled from the Earth's core, is the principal basis for the origination of petroleum and gas deposits.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
45 human-written examples
He blamed the Americans for the moral laxity in Baghdad, and especially L. Paul Bremer, the administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority, for threatening, in February, to veto any interim constitution that declared Islam to be the principal basis of federal law.
News & Media
The principal basis of the pulse wave analysis system is that the peripheral arterial pressure waveform may be used for the reconstruction of central (aortic) pressure.
Science
However, live feed continues to be the principal nutritional basis for culture of larvae (Aguirre-Hinojosa et al. 1999; Voltolina and Lopez-Elias 2002; Richmond 2004).
Also the experts did not reach full agreement on the statement "Evidence-based guidelines are in principal the basis for decision-making" (agree 69%, disagree 6%; mean 5.8 SD 1.24).
Science
Metabolite quantities formed the basis for principal component analysis (PCA) using MetaboAnalyst v. 2.0 [ 65].
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "principal basis for", ensure that it truly represents the most significant reason or foundation, as 'principal' implies primary importance.
Common error
A common error is using "principle" (a fundamental truth or proposition) instead of "principal" (main or most important). Remember that "principal basis" refers to the main foundation, not a guiding principle.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "principal basis for" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the primary reason or foundation for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is valid and usable in written English, serving to pinpoint the main element supporting a concept or decision.
Frequent in
Science
50%
News & Media
33%
Formal & Business
17%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "principal basis for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to denote the primary reason or foundation for something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, noting its utility in various contexts. The phrase is most commonly encountered in scientific, news, and formal business domains. When using the phrase, remember to distinguish "principal" from "principle". Alternatives such as "main reason for" or "primary foundation for" can be used to convey a similar meaning, as noted above. This makes "principal basis for" a valuable tool for clear and precise communication.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
main reason for
Focuses on the reason, simplifying the expression.
primary foundation for
Emphasizes the foundational aspect, using 'primary' instead of 'principal'.
chief justification for
Highlights the justification, suitable for contexts needing a defense or rationale.
core rationale for
Highlights the underlying rationale.
central reason for
Highlights the reason, framing it as central or essential.
key factor in
Shifts the focus to a contributing factor, rather than a basis.
underlying cause of
Emphasizes the causal relationship, suitable when discussing causes and effects.
fundamental principle of
Highlights fundamental principles.
driving force behind
Highlights the motivational aspect.
essential component of
Emphasizes the importance of a part of a whole.
FAQs
How can I use "principal basis for" in a sentence?
Use "principal basis for" to indicate the main reason or foundation upon which something is based. For example, "The "principal basis for" the study's conclusion was the data collected over five years".
What are some alternatives to "principal basis for"?
You can use alternatives like "main reason for", "primary foundation for", or "core rationale for", depending on the specific context you're writing in.
Is there a difference between "principal basis for" and "primary basis for"?
While both phrases are similar, "principal basis for" emphasizes the most important or chief reason, while "primary basis for" simply indicates a key reason. The subtle difference lies in the degree of emphasis.
What is the difference between "principal" and "principle", and how does it affect the use of "principal basis for"?
"Principal" means main or most important, while "principle" refers to a fundamental truth or proposition. Therefore, ""principal basis for"" is correct when referring to the main foundation, not a guiding principle.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested