with principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with principle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or decisions that are guided by a set of moral or ethical standards. Example: "She approached the negotiation with principle, ensuring that her values were upheld throughout the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The first deals mainly with procedure, the second with principle.

The Economist

He is now working again with Principle and releasing a new version of Your Love.

The Guardian - Music

This result has nothing to do with principle and everything to do with prosperity.

The New Yorker

That's because her votes had more to do with hedging her political bets than with principle.

The New York Times

"Conservatives want to win, but they want to win with principle.

The New York Times

Equivocation is perhaps not as synonymous with principle as Mr. Thompson might imagine.

The New York Times

Manicure/Pedicure $25" signs scattered about town to pique my interest has something to do with principle.

The New York Times

Katha Pollitt deserves praise for her incisive review of Stanley Fish's book "The Trouble With Principle" (Feb. 6).

The New York Times - Books

Shaheen deserves credit for sticking with principle and defending Obama's record in an area where it is often willfully distorted.

The New Yorker

Ed Miliband said Warsi had acted with "principle and integrity" and he urged Cameron to re-think his position.

The Guardian

For Jim Naughton, the communications director for the liberal Diocese of Washington, D.C., any compromise with principle would have dire consequences for public relations.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with principle" to clearly indicate that actions or decisions are rooted in strong moral or ethical beliefs, enhancing the credibility and justification of your statements.

Common error

Ensure you are using "principle" (a fundamental truth or proposition) and not "principal" (main or most important) when referring to a guiding belief or standard. Using the wrong word can change the entire meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with principle" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase. It modifies verbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig AI examples show it often describes actions aligned with ethics or beliefs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "with principle" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that signifies actions or decisions are guided by strong moral or ethical beliefs. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its usage spans various contexts, notably in News & Media and Science, lending a sense of integrity and justification. When writing, ensure distinction from "principal", and consider alternatives like "in accordance with principles" or "guided by principle" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in accordance with principles

Replaces "with" with "in accordance with", emphasizing adherence to a set of guiding rules.

guided by principle

Focuses on the idea of being led or directed by a particular principle.

based on principle

Highlights that the action or decision stems directly from a principle.

according to principle

Similar to 'in accordance with', stressing alignment with a specific principle.

on the basis of principle

Emphasizes that the principle is the foundation for the action.

in line with principle

Suggests that the action is aligned and consistent with a specific principle.

motivated by principle

Highlights the principle as the driving force behind the action.

driven by principle

Similar to 'motivated by principle', but suggests a stronger, more forceful influence.

out of principle

Indicates that the action is a direct result of a deeply held belief.

adhering to principle

Focuses on the act of sticking to or maintaining a principle.

FAQs

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

Use "with principle" to show that someone acts according to a set of moral or ethical beliefs. For example, "She negotiated the contract "with principle", refusing to compromise her values."

What's a good alternative to "with principle"?

Depending on the context, you could use "with integrity", "in accordance with principles", or "guided by principle" as alternative ways to convey acting based on strong beliefs.

When is it appropriate to use "with principle"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that an action, decision, or behavior is based on a moral, ethical, or ideological foundation. It adds weight to the reasoning behind the action.

What is the difference between acting "with principle" and acting "strategically"?

Acting "with principle" means adhering to a moral or ethical code, regardless of the immediate outcome. Acting "strategically" focuses on achieving a specific goal, often involving compromise or flexibility. The former prioritizes values, while the latter prioritizes results.