principal finding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "principal finding" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in research or academic contexts to refer to the most important or significant result of a study or analysis. Example: "The principal finding of our research indicates a strong correlation between diet and mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These figures represent a minimum conservative estimate that CAVR says is its scientifically-based principal finding.

Wikipedia

The remainder of the manuscript reinforces this principal finding.

eLife

A principal finding is that pancreatic tumors are not aggressive cancers.

The New York Times - Health

A principal finding is that the X chromosomes of humans and chimps appear to have diverged about 1.2 million years more recently than the other chromosomes.

The New York Times - Science

Correction: July 8 , 2001 Sunday An article last Sunday about the changing nature of affirmative action misstated the principal finding of the Supreme Court's 1978 Bakke decision.

The New York Times

One paper (PDF) has the principal finding that subsidising insurance increased visits to a Rwanda clinic by 0.6 visits a person annually.

The Guardian

"The principal finding of these studies is that your fitness level when you're young is highly predictive of heart disease risk 30 to 40 years later," he said.

The New York Times

Like the dog that didn't bark, the study's principal finding is a non-result: there is no systematic relationship between trade liberalization and inequality in India.

The New York Times

Their principal finding, according to Catherine Rampell, who wrote the post: "The share of A grades awarded has skyrocketed over the years".

The New York Times

Our principal finding is that political stability matters to patenting.

Research Policy

The principal finding is a velocity-dependent but thickness-independent transition in array orientation in the "bulk" regime.

Acta Materialia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about research, clearly state the "principal finding" early in the discussion section to highlight the most important takeaway for the reader.

Common error

Avoid burying the "principal finding" among other less significant results. Clearly differentiate it from secondary or supporting findings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principal finding" functions as a noun phrase identifying the most important result or conclusion of a study, research, or analysis. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's typically used in formal writing, particularly in scientific and academic contexts to highlight a key takeaway.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

26%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "principal finding" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote the most significant result or conclusion of a study. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, particularly in academic and scientific contexts. Alternatives like "key discovery" or "main result" can be used, but "principal finding" often conveys a more formal tone. When employing this phrase, ensure it is prominently featured in your writing to underscore the core outcome of your research.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant finding

Highlights the importance or statistical relevance of the result.

key discovery

Focuses on the act of uncovering something important.

main result

Emphasizes the outcome of an experiment or study.

primary outcome

Highlights the main result or effect observed.

chief outcome

Similar to "primary outcome" but slightly more formal.

central conclusion

Stresses the final judgment or deduction made.

core conclusion

Similar to "central conclusion" but with more emphasis on the core aspect.

major takeaway

Implies a lesson or key piece of information gained.

overarching discovery

Describes a key theme that encompasses the result.

ultimate takeaway

The final lesson that one should understand.

FAQs

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

You can use "principal finding" to introduce the most important result of a study. For example, "The "principal finding" of this research is that early intervention improves outcomes."

What are some alternatives to "principal finding"?

Some alternatives include "key discovery", "main result", or "significant finding", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "main finding" or "principal finding"?

"Principal finding" and "main finding" are often interchangeable, but "principal finding" may sound more formal and is frequently used in academic writing.

What's the difference between "principal finding" and "secondary finding"?

The "principal finding" is the most important or significant result, while secondary findings are additional, less critical results that support or complement the principal one.