support in principle

USAGE SUMMARY

"support in principle" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing agreement with an idea, but not necessarily with the action or specifics being proposed. For example, you might say "We support in principle the idea of making animal testing illegal, but we are concerned about the potential effect this will have on pharmaceutical research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

A US package for $1bn gained support in principle from congressional Republicans.

The Guardian

Opinion polls show overwhelming support, in principle, for more policemen on the beat.

The Economist

Within Parliament and the legal profession, there was widespread support in principle for reform.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He played using the printed scores with the assistance of a page-turner, an option I support in principle.

The New York Times - Arts

A majority of Israelis in opinion polls still support in principle the two-state solution, but it seems so distant.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gavin Kelly, the foundation's chief executive, said: "We support in principle the move to a simpler, universal credit.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

But in the past, the senior ranks of the Pakistani military have supported, in principle, these kinds of missions.

The New York Times

Ryan said this was supported in principle but the government needed to see how it could be implemented.

The Guardian

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani said yesterday that he supported in principle some form of legislation that would require sprinklers in residential buildings.

The New York Times

The special minister of state, Mathias Cormann, said the government supported "in principle" all 36 recommendations in the wide-reaching report released on Wednesday.

The Guardian

The US was also initially sceptical, but has privately told the UN it now supports in principle the creation of such a coalition force.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "support in principle" when you agree with the underlying idea but haven't committed to the specifics or practical implementation.

Common error

Avoid using "support in principle" when you fully endorse a plan; this phrase indicates a degree of reservation or lack of commitment to the details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "support in principle" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the nature and extent of the support being offered. As Ludwig AI says, it expresses agreement with an idea, but not necessarily with specific actions or specifics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "support in principle" is a frequently used phrase that conveys agreement with a general idea or concept but not necessarily with its specific details or implementation. Ludwig AI confirms this. The phrase is grammatically correct and is commonly found in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts. While it indicates a level of endorsement, it also implies a degree of reservation. Related phrases include "agree in theory" and "endorse the concept", each with slightly different nuances. Use "support in principle" when you agree with the underlying idea but haven't committed to the specifics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agree in theory

Focuses on agreement from a theoretical standpoint, lacking practical implementation.

endorse the concept

Emphasizes the endorsement of the general idea rather than specific details.

generally approve of

Indicates a broad approval, possibly without complete commitment.

conceptually support

Highlights the conceptual agreement, with potential reservations about the practical application.

be favorably inclined towards

Suggests a positive attitude toward the idea without full commitment.

accept the premise

Focuses on accepting the underlying assumption or foundation of an idea.

give qualified approval

Implies approval with certain conditions or reservations.

conditionally agree

Suggests agreement that is dependent on specific terms or factors.

be sympathetic to the idea

Indicates an understanding and favorable view, without necessarily implying active support.

nominally approve

Implies approval is only in name, with little real action or commitment behind it.

FAQs

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

You can use "support in principle" to show agreement with a general idea, like: "We "support in principle" the new environmental regulations, but we need to review the details."

What's a good alternative to "support in principle"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives such as "agree in theory", "endorse the concept", or "generally approve of".

Is it better to say "I support in principle" or "I support the idea"?

"I "support in principle"" implies you agree with the general concept but not necessarily with all the specific details. "I support the idea" is a more general statement of agreement.

What is the difference between "support in principle" and "full support"?

"Support in principle" means agreeing with the basic idea, while "full support" implies complete agreement with all aspects and a commitment to active assistance.