the principle that

USAGE SUMMARY

'the principle that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a generalized rule or belief. For example, "The principle that all people are equal should be respected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is the principle that counts.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is the principle that is truly priceless.

The Guardian - Sport

It is simultaneously the principle that unites and the principle that gives the nation the alleged right to oppress.

The New York Times

This is the principle that has covered Iran.

The New York Times

For Anderson, YouTube illustrates the principle that Free removes the necessity of aesthetic judgment.

The New Yorker

Mill in this argument is (once again) relying on the principle that must implies ought, the converse of the principle that ought implies can.

SEP

And in accordance with the Principle, that is very rare.

Huffington Post

Net Neutrality -- the principle that protects Internet users' free speech rights -- is censorship.

HuffPost

It's the principle that really matters.

The New York Times

The principle that everything is connected.

The Guardian - Books

And the principle that reasons out these matters?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the principle that" when you want to introduce a fundamental concept or guideline that underlies a particular system, argument, or belief.

Common error

Avoid using "the principle that" repeatedly in the same paragraph, as it can make your writing sound redundant. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing the idea.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the principle that" functions as a discourse marker introducing a fundamental rule, belief, or concept. It serves to frame subsequent information as being based on this principle, as evidenced in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the principle that" serves as a crucial linguistic tool for establishing fundamental rules, beliefs, or concepts in various forms of communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable across diverse contexts. Its usage spans from news and media to academic and scientific writing, primarily functioning as a discourse marker to frame subsequent information. When using this phrase, aim for clarity and avoid overuse to maintain writing conciseness and efficacy. The frequency analysis indicates that while very common, attention to alternative phrasing and sentence structure enhances overall writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the rationale that

Replaces "principle" with "rationale", focusing on the logical basis or justification.

the idea that

Substitutes "principle" with "idea", emphasizing a concept or thought.

the notion that

Replaces "principle" with "notion", suggesting a belief or opinion.

the concept that

Substitutes "principle" with "concept", highlighting an abstract idea or general notion.

the understanding that

Replaces "principle" with "understanding", focusing on comprehension or awareness.

the belief that

Substitutes "principle" with "belief", highlighting a conviction or acceptance of something as true.

the theory that

Replaces "principle" with "theory", suggesting a set of ideas explaining a phenomenon.

the premise that

Substitutes "principle" with "premise", focusing on a proposition that serves as the basis for an argument.

the assumption that

Replaces "principle" with "assumption", highlighting something taken for granted or supposed.

the rule that

Substitutes "principle" with "rule", focusing on a standard or guideline.

FAQs

How can I use "the principle that" in a sentence?

Use "the principle that" to introduce a core belief or foundational rule. For example, "The project was founded on "the principle that" everyone deserves access to education".

What are some alternatives to "the principle that"?

You can use alternatives like "the idea that", "the notion that", or "the concept that" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "the principle is" or "the principle that"?

"The principle is" is suitable when the principle is self-evident or already known. "The principle that" is better when you need to introduce or clarify the principle in question.

What's the difference between "the principle that" and "the theory that"?

"The principle that" typically refers to a fundamental truth or a guiding rule, while "the theory that" suggests a proposed explanation that may or may not be proven.