principle on what

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "principle on what" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear and lacks proper grammatical structure, making it difficult to determine its intended meaning. Example: "The principle on what we base our decisions needs to be clarified."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Though the commission had already decided in principle on what would be on the ballot, last night it formally adopted the language of the referendum measures.

The New York Times

Although the authors performed their analyses according to the intention-to-treat principle on what they claim is the correct sample size, we worry about the fact that the attrition rate was 10% (4/40) in the placebo group, whereas only 2% (1/41) withdrew from Phytalgic®.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"It's just the principle of, 'What on earth is going on?' " A stroll through the field the other day unearthed no doggers (it was raining) but revealed much evidence of their existence.

The New York Times

"He's operating on the principle of what is right and what he believes is fair".

Forbes

If China and the U.S. are to build a "New Type of Great Power Relationship," I believe it should be based on a principle of what I have called "constructive realism".

Huffington Post

He surely isn't standing on principle, for what principle would that be?

The New Yorker

Others are opposed on principle to what they see as unacceptable tampering with nature.

The New York Times

I think we expand by standing on principle for what we believe in.

Huffington Post

Others felt that the standards/testing/accountability approach epitomized by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was based on business principles and not on what is known about how to educate better.

Huffington Post

In addition to the names of kings, events occasionally are mentioned, especially for the later years; but it is hard to understand on what principle they are included.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On what principle could you leave such a scene out? "Full Frontal" is the sort of arbitrary mess that gives experimentation a bad name.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "principle on what" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "principle regarding what" or "principle behind what" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "on" to connect "principle" with a clause introduced by "what". This construction is grammatically awkward. Instead, use prepositions like "regarding", "behind", or rephrase to use "basis for" or "reason for".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principle on what" attempts to connect a general guiding rule or belief with a specific action or decision. However, it is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies better alternatives like "principle regarding what" or "basis for what".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "principle on what" is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests that while some examples exist across various sources, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, clearer and more accurate alternatives such as "principle regarding what" or "basis for what" should be preferred. These alternatives ensure grammatical correctness and enhance clarity in writing, making them more suitable for formal and professional contexts. Avoiding this phrase will lead to more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

principle regarding what

Replaces 'on' with 'regarding', offering a more grammatically sound connection between 'principle' and 'what'.

principle behind what

Substitutes 'on' with 'behind', emphasizing the underlying reason or foundation for something.

principle concerning what

Uses 'concerning' instead of 'on', providing a slightly more formal tone.

basis for what

Replaces 'principle on' with 'basis for', shifting the focus to the foundation or reason.

principle governing what

Replaces 'on' with 'governing', emphasizing the rule or standard that guides something.

reason for what

Emphasizes the cause or justification for something, rather than the guiding principle.

rationale for what

Highlights the logical or reasoned explanation for something.

justification for what

Focuses on the reasons or evidence used to support or defend something.

foundation for what

Indicates the fundamental basis or support for something.

grounds for what

Highlights the reasons or circumstances that justify something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "principle on what" to be grammatically correct?

Consider alternatives like "principle regarding what", "principle behind what", or "basis for what" to improve clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Is "principle on what" considered grammatically correct in academic writing?

No, "principle on what" is not typically considered grammatically correct in formal or academic writing. It's better to use more precise and standard constructions.

What's a more common phrase than "principle on what" to express the underlying reason?

A more common and clearer phrase is "reason for what". For example, instead of saying "The principle on what they acted was unclear", say "The reason for what they acted was unclear".

What are some alternatives to "principle on what" if I want to emphasize the guidelines?

If you want to emphasize the guidelines, you could use phrases like "principle "governing what"" or "principle concerning what".