in principle

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Word: "in principle"

Meaning:
"In principle" is a phrase used to express agreement with the basic idea or fundamental concept of something, even if the details are not fully agreed upon or worked out. It means that you support the main idea, but there may be other factors to consider later.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "in principle" when you want to indicate that you agree with the main idea, but you may have reservations or need more discussion about the specifics.
• It is often used in discussions, meetings, or written communication to show a general understanding or approval without committing to all the details.

Examples:

1. Simple Example:
   In principle, we agree to the plan, but we need to discuss the budget further.

2. Contextual Example:
   The committee approved the project in principle, but they want to see more detailed proposals before final approval.

Advanced Usage:

• "In principle" can be used in formal discussions, academic writing, or legal contexts where agreements need to be clarified.
• It can also be used in negotiations where parties want to indicate tentative support without full commitment.

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants of the phrase "in principle," but you might encounter similar phrases like "in theory" or "in general."

Different Meaning:

• While "in principle" generally indicates agreement with a fundamental idea, it does not guarantee that all parties agree on the execution or specifics of that idea. It emphasizes the notion of agreement at a high level rather than in detail.

Synonyms:

• Generally
• Fundamentally
• Essentially

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs that include "in principle," but phrases like "on the same page" can convey a similar sense of agreement.

Summary:

"In principle" is a useful phrase to show that you agree with the main idea of something while acknowledging that there may be more work to do on the details.

Academic

Adverb

1. with regard to fundamentals although not concerning details
   • in principle, we agree

Synonyms

• in theory
• in essence