what principles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what principles" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about specific guidelines, beliefs, or rules that govern a particular situation or behavior. Example: "In order to understand the decision-making process, we need to discuss what principles guide our organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What principles?

The New York Times

What principles are being upheld?

The New York Times

It depends what principles underpin your worldview.

The Guardian

And then, what principles govern its modern-day proponents?

The New York Times

What principles should we use to get the best result?

The New York Times

7.08pm BST Principles Q: What principles will drive your decisions"?

The Guardian

If that happens, Lewis asks, what principles will guide their use of such power?

Encyclopedia Britannica

How should that brokering be done and what principles should underpin it?

The Guardian

What principles should govern the allocation of scarce medical resources like (at that time) dialysis machines?

The New York Times - Health

–What principles, rights, and freedoms are particularly important to the citizens (group members) of your country?

The New York Times

What principles of Feng Shui might be applied to the companies the students researched?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what principles", ensure the context clearly indicates whose principles are being referred to, or specify the source of those principles to avoid ambiguity. For example, "What principles guide this organization's decision-making process?"

Common error

Avoid using "what principles" in contexts where the scope is too broad or undefined. Instead, narrow down the area of inquiry by specifying the domain or context. For example, instead of asking "What principles should govern everything?", ask "What principles should govern data privacy?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what principles" functions as an interrogative phrase, typically used to elicit information about the underlying beliefs, values, or guidelines that govern a particular action, decision, or system. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

6%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what principles" serves as a direct inquiry into the core values or guidelines governing a specific context. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse domains like news, science, and encyclopedias make it a versatile tool for seeking clarity and understanding. When using "what principles", be mindful of clearly defining the scope to avoid ambiguity. While the phrase is broadly applicable, consider alternatives like ""underlying values"" or ""guiding philosophies"" to fine-tune your message. The consistent usage and authoritative sources emphasize its reliability in formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which tenets

Replaces "principles" with "tenets", implying a stronger adherence to a set of core beliefs or doctrines.

basic tenets

Similar to "which tenets" but with a slight difference in emphasis.

guiding philosophies

Uses "philosophies" instead of "principles", focusing on the underlying thought processes and belief systems.

essential guidelines

Focuses on practical rules and instructions that should be followed.

underlying values

Substitutes "principles" with "values", highlighting the importance of core beliefs and ethical considerations.

key considerations

Highlights important factors that need to be taken into account when making decisions.

core standards

Emphasizes the importance of maintaining certain levels of quality or performance.

governing ethics

Specifically refers to the moral principles that dictate behavior.

fundamental doctrines

Implies a more rigid and formalized set of beliefs, often associated with religious or political ideologies.

driving forces

Focuses on the motivations behind certain actions or decisions.

FAQs

How can I use "what principles" in a sentence?

Use "what principles" to inquire about the core beliefs or guidelines that influence decisions or actions. For example, "What principles guide your investment strategy?" or "What principles are being violated or upheld by this policy?"

What are some alternatives to using "what principles"?

You can use alternatives like "which tenets", "underlying values", or "guiding philosophies" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "what principles" or "which principles"?

Both "what principles" and "which principles" are grammatically correct. "What principles" is more general, while "which principles" implies a selection from a known set of principles.

What's the difference between "what principles" and "what are the principles"?

"What principles" is a more direct and concise way to ask about the guiding beliefs. "What are the principles" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the existence of specific, defined principles.