A cornerstone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A cornerstone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is fundamental or essential to a particular concept, system, or structure. Example: "Trust is a cornerstone of any successful relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A cornerstone of science and technology is parsimony.

Forest Ecosystems

A cornerstone is the interior though is the TerraLinq Service.

TechCrunch

A cornerstone word in the vocabulary of football managers.

BBC

A cornerstone of the genre".

Wikipedia

El Bajío A cornerstone of traditional fare.

The New York Times

Catholicism also remains a cornerstone.

The New York Times

"It is like a cornerstone.

The New York Times

Education would be a cornerstone, he says.

The Guardian

Za'atar is a cornerstone of Levantine cooking.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Secrecy is a cornerstone of the regime.

The Guardian

It's a cornerstone in people's year.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a cornerstone", ensure the context clearly establishes what it supports or what depends on it. For example, "Collaboration is a cornerstone of biomedical research today" clearly shows that biomedical research is supported by collaboration.

Common error

Avoid using "a cornerstone" in situations where simpler terms like "important" or "essential" suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose. Use it where something truly serves as a fundamental basis or support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cornerstone" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or object of a preposition. Ludwig AI examples show it identifying something as fundamental or essential. As Ludwig AI shows, the AI Response is RESPONSE_YES, and it's correct to use the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

31%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a cornerstone" is a widely used and grammatically correct expression that identifies something fundamental or essential. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. To improve writing, use it thoughtfully to stress the importance of something foundational while avoiding overuse in simple contexts. Alternatives such as "a fundamental element" can provide variety, depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental element

This alternative emphasizes the basic and essential nature of something.

an integral part

This alternative highlights how something is necessary to complete the whole.

a basic principle

This alternative focuses on the underlying rule or concept.

a key component

This alternative stresses the importance of something as a building block.

a vital ingredient

This alternative suggests that something is crucial for success.

an essential aspect

This alternative highlights a particular feature that is indispensable.

a central tenet

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes a core belief or doctrine.

a critical factor

This alternative stresses the decisive role something plays in influencing an outcome.

a crucial element

This alternative highlights something decisive and critical to the whole.

a primary foundation

This alternative underscores something's role as the base upon which everything else is built.

FAQs

How can I use "a cornerstone" in a sentence?

Use "a cornerstone" to describe something essential or fundamental to a larger structure or idea. For example, "Trust is "a cornerstone" of any successful relationship".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a cornerstone"?

You can use alternatives like "a fundamental element", "an integral part", or "a basic principle" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a cornerstone of" or "cornerstone to"?

"A cornerstone of" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Cornerstone to" is grammatically incorrect. You might say, "This is "a cornerstone of" our strategy".

What is the difference between "a cornerstone" and "a keystone"?

While both terms refer to essential elements, ""a cornerstone"" typically denotes a foundation or basis, whereas "a keystone" is the crucial element that locks an entire structure together. A missing keystone causes collapse.