principal claim

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "principal claim" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing the main argument or assertion being made in a piece of writing or a discussion. Example: "The principal claim of the article is that climate change is primarily driven by human activity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Our principal claim is that sociotechnical systems are essentially specified in terms of sociotechnical trust.

Data & Knowledge Engineering

To film viewers across the globe, his principal claim to fame is The Notebook.

Independent

CHERRY'S principal claim on our interest is the book he wrote.

The New York Times - Books

Piketty's principal claim in Capital in the Twenty-first Century was that there is a "central contradiction of capitalism".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Guadeloupe's principal claim to football fame once came from being the birthplace of both Lilian Thuram and Thierry Henry's dad.

The Guardian - Sport

"Until last August, Baltimore's principal claim to fame for the year 2002 was that it led the league in Wheels Falling Off Buses," said the editorial.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Their principal claims were as follows.

The Guardian - Opinion

He has two principal claims to fame.

The New Yorker

The principal claims of "Final Verdict" relate to the innocence of Ethel Rosenberg and the atomic-spy charges against Julius Rosenberg.

The New York Times - Books

Like many other parents, Barbara Kariya says she found it unbelievable that the principal claimed not to know, when students had worked on the robot for months.

The New York Times

So pervasive have the rumours become that the government, which seldom responds to conspiracy theories, felt obliged this summer to produce a factsheet debunking the principal claims.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "principal claim" when you want to emphasize the most important assertion or argument in a discussion, text, or debate. It adds a formal and academic tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid confusing "principal claim" with "principle claim". "Principal" refers to the main or most important, while "principle" refers to a fundamental truth or proposition. Therefore, use "principal claim" when referring to the main claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principal claim" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the main assertion or argument being presented, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

29%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "principal claim" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to denote the main argument or assertion in various contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it’s suitable for use in both formal and informal settings, although it tends to appear more often in news, academic, and encyclopedia sources. While some may confuse it with "principle claim", understanding the difference between "principal" and "principle" is key to using it correctly. Alternative phrases such as "main assertion" or "core argument" can be used depending on the desired nuance. In summary, "principal claim" is a versatile and reliable phrase for identifying the central point in any discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main assertion

Focuses on the act of stating something as true.

core argument

Highlights the fundamental reasoning in a discussion.

central thesis

Emphasizes the proposition defended in a scholarly work.

key contention

Highlights a point of disagreement or debate.

primary argument

Indicates the foremost point in a series of reasons.

chief assertion

Emphasizes the foremost declaration or statement.

major premise

Focuses on a proposition that forms the basis of a conclusion.

fundamental proposition

Highlights the basic statement upon which an argument is built.

underlying assertion

Refers to a claim that may not be explicitly stated but is implied.

driving argument

Implies that the claim is the main motivating factor.

FAQs

What does "principal claim" mean?

The phrase "principal claim" refers to the main or most important assertion, argument, or point being made in a discussion, text, or debate.

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

You can use "principal claim" in a sentence like this: "The "principal claim" of the article is that climate change is a significant threat to global biodiversity".

What are some alternatives to "principal claim"?

Alternatives to "principal claim" include "main assertion", "core argument", or "central thesis", depending on the context.

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

Both "principal claim" and "primary claim" are acceptable, but "principal claim" often implies a more formal or significant assertion. Choose the one that best fits the tone and context of your writing.