principles upon which

USAGE SUMMARY

"principles upon which" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to broad, fundamental guidelines that serve as the foundation for something. For example: "The principles upon which the company is based are respect and integrity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And those are the principles upon which this whole reform will be based".

The Guardian

· The government agrees with the broad principles upon which the Kennedy report is based.

The Guardian

Rouhani named two principles upon which he said a nuclear deal might be built.

The Guardian

"It is an affront to the principles upon which our nation was founded".

The Guardian

If so, this is anathema to the principles upon which our great nation was founded.

The New York Times

And that are the principles upon which this whole reform will be based.

The Guardian

The Party no longer issues directives; it lays down principles upon which Government should act.

The Guardian

Values are the principles upon which we make day-to-day decisions.

The New York Times

The general principles upon which blast-furnace design is based are as follows.

Britannica

They serve to illustrate the principles upon which many cases have been decided.

Cornell University

More than that, it would be a tribute to the secular principles upon which this country was founded.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "principles upon which", ensure that the "principles" are clearly defined and relevant to the subject being discussed. This strengthens the argument and provides a solid foundation for your claims.

Common error

Avoid using "principles upon which" without clearly specifying what those principles are. Ensure the reader can easily identify the principles being referenced to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principles upon which" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or clause, indicating the fundamental basis or foundation for something. Ludwig shows that this phrase is used in various contexts, from academic discourse to news reports.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “principles upon which” is a grammatically correct and widely used prepositional phrase that indicates the foundational basis of an idea, system, or belief. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts, reflecting its suitability for formal and serious discourse. This phrase serves to establish a clear rationale and justify concepts, actions, or beliefs. Several alternative phrases, such as "tenets upon which" and "basis upon which", offer subtle variations in meaning, emphasizing different aspects of the underlying foundation. When employing “principles upon which”, it's crucial to clearly define the principles being referenced to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basis upon which

Focuses on the fundamental groundwork or foundation.

tenets upon which

Replaces "principles" with "tenets", emphasizing core beliefs or doctrines.

foundation upon which

Emphasizes the structural support or groundwork.

precepts upon which

Substitutes "principles" with "precepts", highlighting rules or guidelines that dictate conduct.

guidelines upon which

Replaces "principles" with "guidelines", suggesting a set of non-binding recommendations.

policies upon which

Substitutes "principles" with "policies", focusing on official rules or strategies.

rationale upon which

Replaces "principles" with "rationale", highlighting the underlying reasoning or justification.

premise upon which

Substitutes "principles" with "premise", suggesting a foundational assumption.

ideals upon which

Replaces "principles" with "ideals", focusing on guiding beliefs or values.

groundwork for

Highlights the preparatory or foundational work.

FAQs

How can I use "principles upon which" in a sentence?

You can use "principles upon which" to describe the foundations of an idea, system, or belief. For example, "The success of the project relied on the "principles upon which" it was designed".

What are some alternatives to "principles upon which"?

Alternatives include phrases like "tenets upon which", "precepts upon which", or "basis upon which", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more correct to say "principles on which" or "principles upon which"?

"Principles upon which" is generally considered more formal and emphatic. While "principles on which" is also grammatically correct, "principles upon which" adds a layer of significance and is widely accepted.

What's the difference between "principles upon which" and "standards for"?

"Principles upon which" refers to the fundamental beliefs or doctrines that something is based on, while "standards for" describes specific requirements or benchmarks that must be met. Principles are more foundational, while standards are more practical and measurable.