Fundamentally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Fundamentally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the basic or essential nature of something, often in discussions or arguments. Example: "Fundamentally, the issue lies in the lack of communication between the departments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

In its rebuttal, Barclays said: "Fundamentally, the complaint fails to identify any fraud – establishing no material misstatements, no identified victims, and no actual harm".

The Guardian - Business

Fundamentally, this does not do anything remarkable for a Czech pilsner, but it works thanks to its flavours: a distinctive herbal, "skunk weed" character from the saaz hops; fresh, citrusy notes; a final phase of sophisticated caramel sweetness with real elegance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the second day of hearings on Tuesday, the judges described the two-year-old law as fundamentally changing the relationship between the individual and the government, giving Congress virtually unlimited power to force people to buy products for their own good.

The Guardian

"In addition to the security fixes advocated here we also need to see a fundamentally better way of handling open wireless networks," Lyne added.

The Guardian - Tech

I fundamentally believe that when all of this coalesces into a real political force it's not going to start like this – round a table, with a guest list, and a technocratic idea.

The Guardian

This week's protests may be the most chaotic scenes Hong Kong has experienced since a violent, anti-British riot racked the city in 1967 – and many residents are taking it as evidence that the "one country, two systems" framework is fundamentally flawed, a recipe for political gridlock and social unrest.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

There appeared to be a grudging recognition of this last week when Neeson, a fundamentally decent man, announced that his party would stand down in certain constituencies where stronger pro-Agreement candidates were in danger of losing to unionist rejectionists.

The Guardian

Choosing their own culture, a "sovereignty of the mind," Wright said is fundamentally important to her and her people.

The Guardian - Books

However, Aziz Poonawalla of Talk Islam, urges: "Fundamentally, the Obama administration needs to articulate a clear set of explicit, achievable goals for our military in [Afghanistan] - with a clear timeline for withdrawal".

The Guardian - Opinion

The American novelist Jennifer Cody Epstein has said that she "fundamentally misunderstood Charlie Hebdo's mission and content" when she put her name to a letter condemning PEN's decision to honour the magazine with an award.

The Guardian - Books

"Women writing on the show had a constant battle", specifically fighting against John Belushi, who said that "women are fundamentally not funny".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fundamentally", ensure the rest of your sentence clearly relates back to the core concept you're emphasizing for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid using "fundamentally" in simple sentences where it doesn't add significant meaning. It can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. Use it when you really need to highlight the core issue.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "Fundamentally" primarily functions to emphasize the core or essential nature of a statement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it highlights the most important aspect of a situation, argument, or concept.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Lifestyle

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "Fundamentally" serves to emphasize the core or essential aspect of a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for a neutral to professional register. It is most frequently used in news and media contexts and less commonly in encyclopedias or wikis. To improve your writing, use "fundamentally" to highlight key points, but avoid overuse in simple sentences. Alternatives include "essentially", "basically", and "at its core". The phrase is well-supported by authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essentially

Focuses on the inherent nature of something, similar to "fundamentally".

basically

Highlights the underlying or primary aspect, like "fundamentally".

at its core

Emphasizes the central or most important element, similar to "fundamentally".

in essence

Conveys the most important or basic part of something, much like "fundamentally".

primarily

Indicates the main or chief aspect, similar to "fundamentally".

at the heart of

Highlights the central point or core issue, similar to "fundamentally".

in its nature

Emphasizes the inherent qualities of something, like "fundamentally".

by its very nature

Underscores the intrinsic qualities of something, aligning with "fundamentally".

intrinsically

Focuses on the inherent or essential quality, akin to "fundamentally".

in principle

Refers to the basic idea or rule, similar to "fundamentally".

FAQs

How can I use "fundamentally" in a sentence?

You can use "fundamentally" to emphasize the basic or essential nature of something. For example, "Fundamentally, the problem lies in the design flaw."

What words can I use instead of "fundamentally"?

Alternatives to "fundamentally" include "essentially", "basically", or "at its core", depending on the specific context.

What does "fundamentally" mean?

"Fundamentally" means to the very core or foundation of something. It's used to emphasize the most important or basic aspect.

Is it correct to say "fundamentally different"?

Yes, "fundamentally different" is a correct and common phrase. It means that two things are different in their most basic or essential nature. For example, "The two approaches are fundamentally different."