resolved in principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "resolved in principle" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate that a dispute has been resolved in theory but not yet in practice. For example, "The disagreement between the two parties was resolved in principle, but the finer details are still being discussed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In not setting any deadline for the completion of the talks, the lawyers also sent a clear signal that many of the most difficult issues of the case had been resolved in principle.

The New York Times

"As a result of the action of the board and Mr. Redstone, outstanding litigation related to CBS' compensation practices has been favorably resolved in principle, subject to court approval," CBS said in a statement.

Forbes

Because this ambiguity cannot be resolved in principle, the commonly used best-hit assignment easily results in many spurious predictions.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A mediator spent 16 hours with negotiators earlier this week, resolving in principle disputes over the health coverage, teaching responsibility and wages, though no agreement was ever signed, Mr. Shenker said.

The New York Times

No prosecutions should begin until that issue has been resolved in accordance with the principles of American and international law.

The New York Times

The OFT said the divestments would "in principle... resolve the OFT's concerns by restoring competition to pre-merger levels in the Midlands".

The Guardian

So it made a kind of defiant sense that I resolved, in Santa Fe, to operate on the bold, sinus-clearing principle that no meal should be eaten in which chili peppers didn't play a major and colorful role.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It ought to be resolved in a court, unless you're willing to compromise on a basic fundamental principle, which we are not," he said.

The New York Times

"It ought to be resolved in a court, unless you're willing to compromise on a basic fundamental principle, which we're not".

The New York Times

Disagreements were resolved in consensus.

Insights into Imaging

Transparency is another difficult issue that must be resolved, at least in principle, this week.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "resolved in principle" when you want to convey that an agreement or solution has been reached on a conceptual level, but the details still need to be worked out.

Common error

Avoid using "resolved in principle" when the matter has been completely settled with all details finalized. Using it in such cases can create confusion and suggest that further negotiations are still needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "resolved in principle" functions as a descriptor, indicating the state of an issue, agreement, or dispute. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and denotes that an agreement has been reached conceptually but requires further detailing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "resolved in principle" is a grammatically sound phrase used to communicate that an agreement or solution has been reached conceptually, although the finer details remain to be worked out. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reliable sources, predominantly in news, science, and formal business contexts. While not extremely common, its use is appropriate in formal writing to accurately describe the status of ongoing agreements. Alternatives such as "agreed upon in theory" or "settled conceptually" may be used depending on the desired nuance. Remember to avoid using this phrase when a matter is fully settled, to prevent confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agreed upon in theory

Focuses on the theoretical agreement rather than the resolution itself.

settled conceptually

Emphasizes the conceptual understanding and agreement.

reached a tentative agreement

Highlights the preliminary and unconfirmed nature of the agreement.

provisionally decided

Indicates a decision made subject to further confirmation or changes.

accepted in essence

Focuses on accepting the core idea but not necessarily the specifics.

theoretically solved

Highlights that the solution exists in theory but might not be practical.

conceptually addressed

Focuses on addressing the issue at a conceptual level rather than practically.

understood in principle

Highlights understanding the underlying principle but not necessarily having a complete solution.

reached a preliminary understanding

Emphasizes that the understanding is only at a beginning stage.

agreed to in broad terms

Highlights the agreement focusing on the broad aspect of the topic and lacking specifics.

FAQs

How do you use "resolved in principle" in a sentence?

You can use "resolved in principle" to indicate that there is an agreement or solution at a conceptual level but the details are yet to be worked out. For example, "The dispute was "resolved in principle", but the contract details still need to be finalized."

What are some alternatives to saying "resolved in principle"?

Alternatives include "agreed upon in theory", "settled conceptually", or "reached a tentative agreement", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "resolved in principle" and "fully resolved"?

"Resolved in principle" indicates a conceptual agreement, while "fully resolved" means that all aspects and details have been finalized and agreed upon.

Is it appropriate to use "resolved in principle" in formal writing?

Yes, "resolved in principle" is appropriate for formal writing when you want to accurately describe the status of an agreement that is not yet completely finalized. It's commonly used in business, legal, and academic contexts.