subject of principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "subject of principle" is not commonly used in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing foundational ideas or theories, but clarity may be lacking without additional context. Example: "The debate centered around the subject of principle, examining the ethical implications of the proposed policy."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

His seemingly indifferent style of politics that feels as though he is often a subject of principle rather than people, even though he claims the exact opposite.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

On the subject of principles and patronage, Davis spoke from some experience; his 12-year-old son was recently offered a scholarship to a prestigious basketball camp after standing out this summer.

The New York Times - Sports

Moma has clearly chosen its initial batch of subjects on principles of design rather than meaning; I hope it will expand its parameters.

The Guardian - Tech

Distributive justice is an important aspect of most, if not all, social institutions; the role occupants of most institutions are the recipients and providers of benefits, e.g. wages, consumer products, and the bearers of burdens, e.g. allocated tasks and, accordingly, are subject to principles of distributive justice.

SEP

Finally, marriage is part of the basic structure of society, and thus, at least within Rawlsian liberalism, is subject to principles of justice.

SEP

The fact remains that, subject to principles of supply and demand, the company as constituted was not making it.

The New York Times - Arts

The department was forced to write to Imperial explaining that the council's reports "are subject to principles of professional secrecy".

The Guardian - Business

What makes these institutions and their arrangement the first subject for principles of social justice is that they are all necessary to social cooperation and have such profound influences on our circumstances, aims, characters, and future prospects.

SEP

However, in describing the BSS methods here, only two FSHD1 subjects, four FSHD2 subjects, and four unaffected control subjects were used for this proof-of-principle analysis.

Clinical Epigenetics

Vaccination was safe and well-tolerated and elicited protection from challenge in approximately 50% of subjects, providing the first proof-of-principle of a DNA vaccine affording protection in humans.

Plosone

A larger sample size would improve confidence in these findings, yet we believe that the robust findings and within subject design provide preliminary proof of principle for this imaging paradigm.

EJNMMI Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "subject of principle", ensure the context clearly indicates you are referring to a core belief or foundational idea to avoid ambiguity. For better clarity, consider using more common phrases like "matter of principle" or "issue of principle".

Common error

Avoid using "subject of principle" in contexts where it could be mistaken for a topic being discussed. This phrase is more about fundamental beliefs than conversation topics.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "subject of principle" functions as a noun phrase, where "subject" acts as the noun and "of principle" as a prepositional phrase modifying the noun. It refers to something being governed by or related to a fundamental belief. Ludwig indicates this is not a common phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically correct, "subject of principle" is not a common phrase in contemporary English. Ludwig AI indicates it can cause confusion. It aims to convey that something is governed by or related to a core belief. For improved clarity, consider using more common alternatives like "matter of principle" or "issue of principle". These alternatives are more widely understood and less likely to cause ambiguity. The phrase appears in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, suggesting a neutral register. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure clarity when using it, as better alternatives are readily available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

matter of principle

Changes the noun to "matter", indicating something that is a fundamental concern or belief. Emphasizes the importance of the principle itself.

issue of principle

Replaces "subject" with "issue", focusing on the principle as a point of contention or discussion. More formal than the original phrase.

point of principle

Uses "point" instead of "subject", highlighting a specific aspect or detail related to the principle.

on grounds of principle

Indicates an action or decision is based on adherence to a principle. More explicit about the reasoning.

as a matter of conscience

Shifts focus to personal moral beliefs rather than abstract principles. Highly subjective and personal.

based on moral conviction

Replaces "principle" with "moral conviction", stressing the moral basis of the subject.

guided by core beliefs

Focuses on the guiding nature of underlying beliefs. Emphasizes internal guidance rather than external principles.

according to ethical standards

Emphasizes adherence to a set of external ethical guidelines. More formal and less personal.

driven by values

Highlights that values are the motivating factor. More general and less specific than a principle.

in line with ideals

Suggests agreement with established ideals. Focuses on alignment with broader goals or aspirations.

FAQs

What does "subject of principle" mean?

The phrase "subject of principle" refers to something being governed or influenced by a fundamental belief or core value. However, it's an uncommon phrase, and alternatives like "matter of principle" or "issue of principle" are often clearer.

Is "subject of principle" grammatically correct?

Yes, "subject of principle" is grammatically sound, but it's not a common or widely recognized phrase in English. Therefore, its usage may cause confusion. Using "matter of principle" is more standard.

When should I use "subject of principle"?

It's best to reserve "subject of principle" for situations where you specifically want to emphasize that something is being directly governed by a fundamental belief. However, due to its uncommon usage, consider if a phrase like "based on principle" would be clearer.

What are some alternatives to "subject of principle"?

Alternatives include "matter of principle", "issue of principle", "point of principle", and "based on principle". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.