At the heart of

USAGE SUMMARY

"At the heart of" is a correct expression that can be used in written English.
You use it to refer to something is the most important or main part of something else. For example: "At the heart of our community is the commitment to helping others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the heart of this is copyright.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the heart of governance is judgment.

The Washington Post

At the heart of Moments is you.

The Guardian

At the heart of the confusion?

Los Angeles Times

At the heart of the disagreement?

Vice

At the heart of the debate.

BioSocieties

Repetition is at the heart of cooking.

The New Yorker

Brits was at the heart of it.

Independent

Home is at the heart of that.

The Guardian

Ratzinger was at the heart of this.

Independent

Melo was at the heart of everything.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "At the heart of", ensure that the subject following 'of' is indeed the core component, not just a related element.

Common error

Avoid using "At the heart of" when you're merely describing a contributing factor rather than the central, indispensable element. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "At the heart of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or noun phrase. It serves to highlight the core, central, or most important element of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and widely used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

23%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "At the heart of" is a prepositional phrase used to emphasize the most crucial or fundamental aspect of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. This phrase is frequently found in News & Media and Academic contexts, indicating its versatility across different registers. When writing, use "At the heart of" to draw attention to the core element, but avoid overusing it to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "central to" or "fundamental to" for variety. By understanding its function and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "At the heart of" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Core of

Points to the central nucleus or essence.

Central to

Focuses on the importance to the exclusion of other qualities.

Essence of

Stresses the intrinsic nature of something.

Fundamental to

Highlights the foundational nature of something.

Crucial to

Emphasizes something is decisively important.

Key to

Emphasizes the role of being essential.

Basis of

Highlights the foundation upon which something is built.

Root of

Emphasizes the origin or cause of something.

Underlying

Implies something lies beneath the surface but is crucial.

Lynchpin of

Indicates something is crucial for holding other parts together.

FAQs

How can I use "At the heart of" in a sentence?

Use "At the heart of" to highlight the most crucial or fundamental aspect of something. For example, "At the heart of the issue is a lack of funding".

What phrases are similar to "At the heart of"?

Alternatives include "central to", "fundamental to", or "key to", which can be used depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "At the heart of" in formal writing?

Yes, "At the heart of" is appropriate for formal writing as it clearly and effectively emphasizes the most important aspect of a topic. It is commonly used in academic and professional contexts.

What's the difference between "At the heart of" and "Related to"?

"At the heart of" indicates a central or fundamental aspect, while "Related to" simply suggests a connection or association. "At the heart of" emphasizes importance, whereas "Related to" indicates a general link.