At the very core

USAGE SUMMARY

'At the very core' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically means 'at the very heart or essence of something'. Here is an example sentence: "At the very core, knowledge is power."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"At the very core of it, it's stupid," he said.

The New York Times

At the very core, that is why I am here.

Harvard University

At the very core of the latest version of the national curriculum for maintained schools in England is a nasty little assumption.

The Guardian

At the very core of deterrence there had to be a willingness to rain thermonuclear weapons down on the cities of the adversary.

The New Yorker

At the very core, we built this for beginners".

Vice

At the very core of this German movement were two figures Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider.

Vice

At the very core of the alt-right's goal is "an all-white country".

Huffington Post

It's at the very core of who I am.

The New Yorker

This was at the very core of your being.

The New Yorker

Death is at the very core of the Christian religion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Consciousness is at the very core of the human condition.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the very core" to emphasize the most fundamental or essential aspect of a concept or idea. For instance, "At the very core of democracy is the principle of equality."

Common error

Avoid using "at the very core" in situations where a simpler phrase like "essentially" or "fundamentally" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound verbose and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the very core" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause. It serves to emphasize the most fundamental, essential, or central aspect of whatever it modifies. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and finds usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

26%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the very core" is a prepositional phrase used to emphasize the foundational or essential nature of something. Ludwig AI validates it as grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse sources like News & Media, Academia, and Science. While versatile, it is advisable to avoid overuse. Related phrases such as "at the heart of" and "fundamentally" can provide variety. Its neutral-to-formal register renders it appropriate for professional and academic writing. By keeping these points in mind, writers can effectively leverage "at the very core" to highlight fundamental aspects in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the heart of

Indicates the central or most important part of something, similar to "at the very core".

at its heart

Like "at the heart of", indicates the central or most important part, very similar to "at the very core".

at the center of

Highlights the focal point or central element, akin to "at the very core".

at the root of

Suggests the fundamental cause or origin, which is a comparable meaning to "at the very core".

at its foundation

Highlights the base or groundwork of something, akin to "at the very core" indicating the fundamental nature.

at the base of

Implies the foundation or underlying principle, close in meaning to "at the very core".

in essence

Conveys the fundamental nature or quality of something, similar to "at the very core".

fundamentally

Emphasizes the basic or essential nature, sharing a core meaning with "at the very core".

intrinsically

Highlights something that is inherently part of something else, similar to "at the very core".

essentially

Focuses on the most important aspect, comparable to the function of "at the very core".

FAQs

How can I use "at the very core" in a sentence?

Use "at the very core" to emphasize the most fundamental aspect of something. For example: "At the very core of the issue is a lack of funding."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "at the very core"?

Synonymous phrases include "at the heart of", "at the center of", or "fundamentally", which can be used to vary your writing.

Is it appropriate to use "at the very core" in formal writing?

Yes, "at the very core" is suitable for formal writing as it's grammatically correct and widely accepted in academic, professional, and journalistic contexts.

What is the difference between "at the very core" and "essentially"?

"At the very core" emphasizes the foundational nature of something, while "essentially" highlights the most important aspect. While similar, "at the very core" carries a stronger emphasis on fundamental origins.