principal source of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'principal source of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'principal source of' to describe something that is the main source or origin for something else. For example, you could say, "The sun is the principal source of energy for our planet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Oil is Germany's principal source of energy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The principal source of his misery is his own side.

The Guardian

Bastnasite, a fluorocarbonate, is the principal source of rare earths.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(Its principal source of revenue has been books and other byproducts).

The Guardian - Film

He is its principal source of inspiration and invention as well as its presiding genius".

The Guardian - Books

The League Cup is fast becoming Crystal Palace's principal source of cheer.

The Guardian - Sport

The North Sea has been the principal source of airlift weather trouble.

The New Yorker

He also wants Iraq to secure control of the principal source of Arab wealth: oil.

The New York Times

That won't pay their bills if it's their principal source of income.

The Guardian - Music

But the principal source of threats against her life was linked to Agua Zarca.

The Guardian

Harris suggested that children's peers might be the principal source of this environmental input.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "principal source of", ensure that it accurately reflects the most significant origin or cause, avoiding ambiguity about other contributing factors.

Common error

Avoid using "principal source of" if there are multiple sources that contribute nearly equally. Instead, consider using phrases like "a major source of" or "an important contributor to" to accurately reflect the distribution of influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principal source of" functions as a noun phrase modifier. It identifies the primary origin, cause, or derivation of a particular thing or phenomenon. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

19%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "principal source of" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for indicating the primary origin or cause of something. As affirmed by Ludwig, it is appropriate for use in diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to encyclopedias and scientific publications. The phrase's versatility makes it a valuable tool for specifying the most significant origin or reason in various explanations and discussions. When using the phrase, it's advisable to ensure it accurately reflects the most important source, and if there are multiple sources contributing, you may consider alternative expressions like "a major source of" or "an important contributor to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main origin of

Replaces "source" with "origin," emphasizing the starting point or beginning.

primary origin of

Substitutes "principal" with "primary" while keeping "origin" to highlight the foundational aspect.

chief cause of

Shifts the focus to causation, replacing "source" with "cause" to indicate the main reason something happens.

chief foundation of

Emphasizes the basic, underlying support or basis upon which something else is built or developed.

leading contributor to

Emphasizes the role of something that actively adds to or creates a certain result.

primary driver of

Highlights what propels or motivates something forward, often used in contexts of change or progress.

major factor in

Highlights the significance of something as a key element in a particular situation or outcome.

key ingredient in

Used when discussing components or elements that combine to form something, suggesting essential inclusion.

central component of

Focuses on something being an integral and necessary part of a larger whole.

essential element of

Underscores the necessity of something, indicating that it is indispensable.

FAQs

How do I use "principal source of" in a sentence?

The phrase "principal source of" is used to identify the main origin or cause of something. For example, "The sun is the "principal source of" energy for Earth."

What are some alternatives to "principal source of"?

You can use alternatives like "main origin of", "primary origin of", or "chief cause of" depending on the context.

Is "principal source of" the same as "primary source of"?

While similar, "principal" implies the most significant source, whereas "primary" simply means the first or earliest. "Principal source of" suggests dominance in contribution.

When is it incorrect to use "principal source of"?

It is incorrect to use "principal source of" if the source you are describing is not actually the most significant one. Ensure that the source is indeed the main contributor before using this phrase.