upon what principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon what principle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when questioning the basis or reasoning behind a particular action, decision, or belief. Example: "Upon what principle do you justify this decision in the meeting?"

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Upon what principle would you make the division?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Upon what principle, then, ought they to be taken into the federal estimate of representation?

Yale University

That was a very simple case, and the question upon what principle it was decided formed the subject of discussion before me.

Harvard University

Here's what Morris said, to his eternal credit, on the idea of counting slaves as 3/5 of a person for the purpose of determining representation in the House:Upon what principle is it that the slaves shall be computed in the representation?

The Economist

Upon what principle then ought they to be taken into the foederal estimate of representation?

University of Chicago

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The origin and invention of the different species of columns having been discussed, it is now necessary to say something on the subject of their ornaments, how they originated, and upon what principles and for what purposes they were invented.

University of Chicago

What principle?

The New Yorker

Likeness to what Principle?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What principle would answer this question?

SEP

We are unable to perceive upon what sound principle the courts can go behind its regular and lawful organization, and exclude it from the rights granted by that act, because in the prosecution of its work it derives assistance or accepts aid from another corporation, with which it may choose to share the benefits secured under the act of Congress.

Cornell University

Skeptics have challenged the adequacy or reliability of these claims by asking what principles they are based upon or what they actually establish.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon what principle" when you want to formally question the underlying basis or rationale for a decision, action, or belief. It adds a layer of scrutiny and expects a well-reasoned explanation.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "principle", which refers to a fundamental truth or proposition, with "principal", which can refer to a chief person or a sum of money. Using the wrong word can change the meaning entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon what principle" functions as an interrogative phrase used to solicit an explanation or justification for a belief, action, or decision. As shown in Ludwig, it seeks to uncover the fundamental basis upon which something is founded.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

60%

News & Media

40%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon what principle" is a formal interrogative phrase used to question the basis or rationale behind something. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct, though relatively rare. It is most commonly found in academic and news contexts. When using this phrase, remember that it expects a well-reasoned explanation and is best suited for formal settings. Consider alternatives like "on what basis" or "according to what principle" for similar meanings. As Ludwig AI points out, clarity and precision are key when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on what basis

Uses a different preposition to ask about the foundation or reason.

by what rationale

Replaces 'principle' with 'rationale', emphasizing the reasoning process.

according to what principle

Adds 'according to' for a slightly more formal tone.

what is the justification for

Shifts to a more direct question about the justification.

what underlies the principle of

Focuses on the foundation or basis supporting a principle.

what's the reason behind

Uses a more informal contraction and focuses on the reason.

what is the underlying principle of

Clarifies that it's about the underlying basis.

what are the grounds for

Replaces 'principle' with 'grounds', referring to the foundational reasons.

what supports the idea of

Asks about the support or evidence for an idea.

what is the source of this principle

Focuses on identifying the origin or source of the principle.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the question "upon what principle"?

You can rephrase it as "on what basis", "by what rationale", or "according to what principle". These alternatives maintain a similar level of formality while varying the wording slightly.

Is it more appropriate to use "upon what principle" in formal or informal contexts?

"Upon what principle" is more suited to formal contexts such as academic discussions, legal arguments, or professional debates. In informal settings, simpler alternatives like "what's the reason behind this" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "upon what principle" and "what principle"?

"Upon what principle" implies a more in-depth inquiry into the foundations and justifications. "What principle" is a more general question seeking to identify the relevant guiding rule or belief.

Can I use "on what principle" instead of "upon what principle"?

Yes, "on what principle" is a grammatically correct and semantically similar alternative to "upon what principle". The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.