principal benefit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "principal benefit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main or most important advantage of something. Example: "The principal benefit of this new policy is that it will reduce costs for the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The principal benefit is, of course, the dramatic reduction in cancer risk.

The New York Times

Protection from falling trees and limbs in storms, the most common cause of widespread electrical failures, is seen as a principal benefit of burying lines.

The New York Times

Even though opera does not strictly meet Carnegie's definition of a worthy cause something from which "the masses reap the principal benefit"—plenty of opera goers were grateful.

The Economist

The principal benefit of instruction in music is that it increases self-esteem and self-worth, especially for those underprivileged and bilingual children who are not yet performing well in English and math.

The New York Times

However, to prevent the rise of rival philosophies such as socialism, the accumulators of great wealth should use it "for the common good" by spending it "for public purposes, from which the masses reap the principal benefit".

The Economist

In some parts of the world, the principal benefit to autonomy is not environmental responsibility but the ability to continue functioning when the national or regional grid is unreliable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The new insulating material has two principal benefits in terms of the performance of integrated circuits.

The New York Times

As a result, the principal benefits of many climate and environmental policies cannot be incorporated in a HMRC CGE analysis".

The Guardian - Business

"Hopefully, one of the principal benefits of the turmoil in Iran is that it humanises whoever the latest Enemy is," says one Salon article.

The Guardian - Opinion

The principal benefits to the combined companies, said David Kerans, an analyst at Argus Research in New York, would come from economies of scale, merged research and development, and increased power to deal with large customers.

The New York Times

The squabbling inside his four-party coalition suggests it may have trouble holding together for a full term.The right to change governments peaceably is one of the principal benefits that countries won for themselves by overthrowing communism.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing multiple benefits, clearly identify the "principal benefit" to highlight its significance over other advantages. This helps to focus the reader's attention on what matters most.

Common error

Avoid confusing "principal," which means main or most important, with "principle," which refers to a fundamental rule or belief. For example, it's correct to say "The principal benefit is cost reduction," not "The principle benefit is cost reduction."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principal benefit" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the key advantage or positive aspect, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "principal benefit" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to highlight the main advantage or positive outcome. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for formal and informal communication, although it is more frequently found in news, media and scientific writing. When using this phrase, be mindful of the difference between "principal" and "principle". Alternatives such as "main advantage" or "key advantage" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main advantage

Focuses on the primary positive aspect, similar to "principal benefit" but with a slightly less formal tone.

key advantage

Emphasizes the importance of the benefit, indicating it's a crucial positive aspect.

primary advantage

Directly synonymous, indicating the foremost positive aspect.

chief advantage

Highlights the most significant positive aspect, suggesting it's the most important one.

major advantage

Indicates a significant positive aspect, emphasizing its size or impact.

prime benefit

Similar to "principal benefit", indicating a top-tier or foremost positive aspect.

foremost advantage

Highlights the leading or most prominent positive aspect.

central advantage

Emphasizes the core or essential positive aspect.

primary gain

Focuses on the positive outcome or profit, similar to a benefit.

main positive outcome

Highlights the most significant positive result or consequence.

FAQs

What does "principal benefit" mean?

The phrase "principal benefit" refers to the main or most important advantage or positive outcome of something. It highlights the key reason why something is valuable or worthwhile.

How can I use "principal benefit" in a sentence?

You can use "principal benefit" to emphasize the primary advantage. For example: "The "main advantage" of this approach is its simplicity", or "The principal benefit is increased efficiency".

What are some alternatives to "principal benefit"?

Alternatives include "main advantage", "key advantage", or "primary advantage". The choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "primary benefit" or "principal benefit"?

Both "primary benefit" and "principal benefit" are grammatically correct and very close in meaning. "Principal benefit" often carries a slightly more formal tone, while "primary benefit" is more commonly used in general contexts.