uphold a principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "uphold a principle" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to defend, maintain, or keep a moral or ethical principle. For example: She always seeks to uphold a principle of honesty, even when it's not easy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Those ancestors of mine might have fought honorably, they might have fought to uphold a principle they believed was just.

The New York Times

Through a legal ban, French parliamentarians want to uphold a principle that should apply to all: the visibility of the face in the public sphere, which is essential to our security and is a condition for living together.

The New York Times

The courts of England and Wales have only latterly come to the point at which they attempt to uphold a principle of equality between husband and wife upon divorce, a position welcomed rightly by campaigners who long felt that the contributions of women who stayed at home were undermined by the divorce laws.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Americans are celebrating Independence Day just days after the Supreme Court upheld a principle that was key to the revolution that lead to independence.

Huffington Post

We had very little time to make an unenviable choice: cause a riot or uphold a vital principle.

The New York Times

I salute The Times's editorial page for advocating a federal shield law before, during and after my jailing and for supporting as recently as two weeks ago my willingness to go to jail to uphold a vital principle.

The New York Times

"There has been a degree of disquiet suggested to me at the length to which the system sometimes acts to uphold a key principle in the Children Act 1989 that a child's best place is with the natural parents wherever possible".

Independent

Graham McWilliam, BSkyB's group director of corporate affairs, said: "In long negotiations with BT, we have tried hard to uphold a simple principle of mutual supply so that both of us would offer all our customers all Premier League matches from next season.

The Guardian

Still, despite these errors, Miller and the Times were valiant in trying to uphold an important principle, which is that journalists sometimes require anonymous sources to dig up information, and if we cannot pledge that we will protect their anonymity we will deprive readers of vital information.

The New Yorker

Should they come down hard on the Swiss, make an example of them to uphold a fundamental EU principle and tell them (and the British) that they cannot cherry-pick EU membership?

The Economist

If the Lauten case upholds a useful principle, it is that verbal attacks on minors have no place even in a noisy democracy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "uphold a principle", ensure that the principle is clearly defined and understood by your audience. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "uphold a principle" when the context requires more than just maintenance. If the principle needs active promotion or defense, consider alternatives like "champion a principle" or "defend a principle" for a more accurate portrayal of your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uphold a principle" functions as a verb phrase, where 'uphold' is the transitive verb and 'a principle' is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in English. The phrase indicates taking action to maintain or support a specific belief or standard.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "uphold a principle" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express commitment to maintaining a specific belief or standard. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not overly common, it frequently appears in news, science, and formal contexts. For alternative expressions, consider "defend a principle" or "maintain a principle". Ensure clarity by defining the principle in question and avoiding the phrase when active promotion is needed. Overall, this phrase is a sound choice for conveying dedication to ethical integrity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defend a principle

Focuses more on actively protecting a principle from attack or challenge.

maintain a principle

Emphasizes keeping a principle in existence or in effect, often against opposing forces.

support a principle

Highlights providing assistance or approval to a principle, often in a less assertive way.

stand by a principle

Suggests unwavering commitment to a principle, even in difficult circumstances.

champion a principle

Implies vigorously promoting and defending a principle, often in a leadership role.

safeguard a principle

Focuses on protecting a principle to ensure its preservation and continued existence.

preserve a principle

Highlights keeping a principle intact and unchanged over time.

promote a principle

Emphasizes advocating for the widespread acceptance and adoption of a principle.

advocate for a principle

Suggests publicly supporting a principle and working to advance it.

assert a principle

Emphasizes stating a principle firmly and confidently, often in the face of opposition.

FAQs

What does it mean to "uphold a principle"?

To "uphold a principle" means to defend, maintain, and support a moral or ethical guideline, ensuring it remains valid and respected.

How can I use "uphold a principle" in a sentence?

You can use "uphold a principle" in a sentence to describe someone's commitment to certain values. For example: "She strives to "uphold a principle" of fairness in all her dealings."

What are some alternatives to "uphold a principle"?

Alternatives to "uphold a principle" include "defend a principle", "maintain a principle", or "support a principle", each conveying a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to "uphold a principle" or "defend a principle"?

Whether to use "uphold a principle" or "defend a principle" depends on the context. "Uphold" suggests maintaining an existing principle, while "defend" implies protecting it from attack or opposition.