principal ones

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "principal ones" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the most important or primary items in a particular context. Example: "In our discussion about renewable energy sources, the principal ones include solar, wind, and hydroelectric power."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Three principal ones brought water from the highlands to the west of the city.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Those cities, the principal ones along the Euphrates River, have not fallen so much as simply been passed by.

The New York Times

The principal ones are: Sam Donaldson of ABC; Lesley Stahl and Bill Plante of CBS; Chris Wallace and Andrea Mitchell, of NBC.

The New Yorker

In the first two movements of the Brahms, Mr. Luisi's balances were inconsistent: in several passages subsidiary lines were at least as prominent as the principal ones.

The New York Times - Arts

While these five languages are the principal ones spoken in Niger, there is also an important Teda linguistic group in the Tibesti region.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The population is chiefly rural, and there are few cities, the principal ones being Cáceres, Rondonópolis, and the state capital, Cuiabá.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Before 1940 most of the world production of hydrogen was made by processes based on coal or coke, the principal one being a water gas reaction between steam and red-hot coke: H2O + C → CO + H2.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Results showed that there is a significant influence of the upstream building on the wind characteristics above the principal one.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

Of the two visits they did pay, the principal one was January 2004, after Castro left a child on his school bus while he popped into a restaurant.

Independent

Although several techniques are available for assessing Pb exposure in biologic samples, the principal one used in studies of prenatal exposure is direct measurements on maternal blood.

Environmental Health Perspectives

The principal one, naturally, is violence.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "principal ones", ensure the context clearly defines the group of items being referenced. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid confusing "principal", which means main or most important, with "principle", which means a fundamental truth or proposition. For example, use "principal ones" to refer to the main reasons, not "principle ones".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principal ones" functions as a noun phrase, where "principal" acts as an adjective modifying the pronoun "ones". It identifies specific items as being the most important or significant within a larger set. As noted by Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

25%

News & Media

43%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "principal ones" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for highlighting the most important items within a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and appears across diverse contexts, including encyclopedias, news media, and scientific publications. While alternatives like ""main ones"" or ""key ones"" exist, "principal ones" offers a clear and effective way to emphasize significance. Remember to differentiate "principal" from "principle" to avoid common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main ones

Replaces "principal" with "main", a more common and slightly less formal synonym.

key ones

Substitutes "principal" with "key", emphasizing the importance and centrality of the items.

primary ones

Uses "primary" instead of "principal", highlighting the fundamental or initial nature of the items.

chief ones

Replaces "principal" with "chief", suggesting the highest rank or authority among the items.

leading ones

Uses "leading" instead of "principal", indicating the items that are in the forefront or most prominent.

foremost ones

Substitutes "principal" with "foremost", emphasizing the items that come first in importance or position.

central ones

Replaces "principal" with "central", highlighting the core or essential nature of the items.

paramount ones

Uses "paramount" instead of "principal", suggesting the items are of supreme importance.

dominant ones

Substitutes "principal" with "dominant", indicating the items that have the most influence or power.

major ones

Replaces "principal" with "major", a more general term for significant or important items.

FAQs

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

Use "principal ones" to refer to the most important or main items within a group. For example, "The "principal ones" to consider are cost and efficiency."

What are some alternatives to using "principal ones"?

You can use alternatives such as "main ones", "key ones", or "primary ones", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "principal ones"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Principal" is an adjective that can modify a plural noun like "ones" when referring to multiple items.

What is the difference between "principal one" and "principal ones"?

"Principal one" refers to a single main item, while ""principal ones"" refers to multiple main items. The choice depends on whether you are discussing a single entity or multiple entities.