to defend principles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to defend principles" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of standing up for or protecting certain beliefs or values. Example: "In times of crisis, it is essential for leaders to defend principles that uphold justice and equality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

President Bush has made it clear that this is a war not just to protect national security but also to defend principles of freedom and the rule of law.

The New York Times

If the Danish cartoons created specifically to defend principles of free speech in the West were acceptable, were these, then, equally protected?

Forbes

Those milestones are at risk right now, with a sinking into the grimmest of party politics and a failure to defend principles of human rights and decency.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Will the Net giants stand up to defend principle and their brethren in online commerce?

Huffington Post

He was replaced by Robert Bauer, a politically adept consummate Washington insider whose expertise is in campaign finance law -- in short, a man whose job is to win elections, not defend principles.

Huffington Post

The reason the San Bernardino case was so contentious was that, at first glance, the two parties appeared to be defending principles that were both compelling and irreconcilable.

The New Yorker

By John Cassidy March 29, 2016 In Apple's fight with the F.B.I. over iPhone privacy, the two sides appeared to be defending principles that were both compelling and irreconcilable.

The New Yorker

Member states of the European Community, through the Copenhagen Declaration proclaimed their determination to "defend" the principles of representative democracy, rule of law, social justice and human rights (King 1999).

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

Human-rights organizations are supposed to defend universal principles such as the rule of law and freedom from state repression.

HuffPost

We have to defend our principles and not our interests," sports blogger Alexander Osin wrote.

Independent

"The Kremlin perceives that Europe lacks the will to pay the necessary price to defend its principles," it said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to defend principles" when you want to express the act of actively protecting or standing up for certain fundamental beliefs or values, especially in the face of opposition or threat.

Common error

Avoid using "to defend principles" in overly passive or indirect constructions. Instead, focus on active voice to emphasize the agency and action of defending the principles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to defend principles" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It describes the reason or intention behind an action, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to defend principles" serves as an infinitive phrase that expresses the purpose of upholding core beliefs or values. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, primarily within News & Media. While there are numerous alternative ways to convey a similar message – such as "uphold principles" or "stand up for principles" – "to defend principles" is best used in active voice to emphasize the commitment of those taking action. This phrase is a testament to the importance of advocating for fundamental beliefs in a world where they are often challenged.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uphold principles

This alternative uses a different verb but conveys a very similar meaning of supporting principles.

stand up for principles

This alternative uses the phrasal verb "stand up for" to emphasize active support of principles.

advocate for principles

This alternative suggests actively promoting and arguing in favor of principles.

champion principles

This alternative implies enthusiastically supporting and defending principles.

protect principles

This alternative focuses on safeguarding principles from harm or opposition.

safeguard principles

A synonym of protect, safeguard offers a slightly more formal tone.

preserve principles

This alternative emphasizes maintaining principles in their original state.

maintain principles

Similar to preserve, this focuses on the continuation and upholding of principles.

defend core values

This alternative substitutes "principles" with "core values", highlighting deeply held beliefs.

fight for principles

This alternative emphasizes the struggle and effort involved in defending principles.

FAQs

How can I use "to defend principles" in a sentence?

You can use "to defend principles" to describe actions taken to protect important beliefs. For example, "The organization's mission is "to defend principles" of human rights."

What are some alternatives to "to defend principles"?

You can use alternatives like "uphold principles", "stand up for principles", or "advocate for principles" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "defend principles" or "defend our interests"?

The choice depends on the context. "Defend principles" emphasizes moral or ethical beliefs, while "defend our interests" focuses on protecting practical advantages or benefits. The Independent provides an example in which a sports blogger says, "We have "to defend principles" and not our interests."

What does it mean "to defend principles" in the context of international relations?

In international relations, ""to defend principles"" often refers to actions taken by countries or organizations to uphold values like democracy, human rights, or the rule of law, sometimes even when it's not in their direct interest.