a cornerstone of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a cornerstone of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is essential or fundamental to a larger concept or system. Example: "Effective communication is a cornerstone of successful relationships." This means that effective communication is a crucial and necessary element in maintaining healthy and positive relationships with others.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

El Bajío A cornerstone of traditional fare.

The New York Times

Exercise is a cornerstone of fibromyalgia treatment.

University of California, Berkeley

Thermodynamics is a cornerstone of chemical engineering.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Education is a cornerstone of society.

Yale University

Za'atar is a cornerstone of Levantine cooking.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Secrecy is a cornerstone of the regime.

The Guardian

They are a cornerstone of this institution.

The New York Times

Pedagogy is a cornerstone of professionalism.

Philosophical Practice

Safety is a cornerstone of TPM.

Lean Maintenance

That's always been a cornerstone of the great Oriole tradition".

The New York Times - Sports

Havemeyer's collection became a cornerstone of the Met.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a cornerstone of", ensure that the context clearly establishes the larger structure or system to which the cornerstone belongs. This helps the reader understand the significance of the identified element.

Common error

Avoid using "a cornerstone of" for elements that are merely important but not fundamentally essential. Save this phrase for aspects that are truly indispensable to the overall structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cornerstone of" functions as a noun phrase modifier. It highlights something that is essential, fundamental, or indispensable to the structure or existence of something else. Examples from Ludwig show its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cornerstone of" is a highly prevalent phrase used to underscore the fundamental nature of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, highlighting its versatility. While it is appropriate for many registers, you want to use it mostly in neutral or formal contexts. Be sure to use "a cornerstone of" when you want to highlight that something is truly essential and foundational.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental element of

Replaces "cornerstone" with "fundamental element", emphasizing the essential nature of something within a system.

an essential component of

Substitutes "cornerstone" with "essential component", highlighting the necessity of the item.

a basic building block of

Replaces "cornerstone" with "basic building block", focusing on the foundational aspect.

a key ingredient of

Substitutes "cornerstone" with "key ingredient", suggesting an element that is crucial for the whole.

a central principle of

Changes "cornerstone" to "central principle", focusing on guiding ideas or concepts.

a critical foundation for

Emphasizes the supportive and foundational role of the subject.

an integral part of

Replaces "cornerstone" with "integral part", stressing inseparability from the whole.

at the heart of

Uses a more figurative expression to indicate the central importance.

indispensable to

Highlights that something is absolutely necessary.

absolutely crucial for

Emphasizes the importance of something for a specific result.

FAQs

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

Use "a cornerstone of" to indicate that something is a fundamental or essential part of something else. For example, "Trust is "a cornerstone of" any successful relationship".

What are some alternatives to "a cornerstone of"?

You can use alternatives like "a fundamental element of", "an essential component of", or "a basic building block of" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a cornerstone of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a cornerstone of" is suitable for formal writing. It is frequently used in academic, professional, and journalistic contexts to emphasize the importance of something.

What's the difference between "a cornerstone of" and "an important aspect of"?

"A cornerstone of" implies a more fundamental and essential role than "an important aspect of". A cornerstone is critical for the stability and structure of something, while an important aspect may simply be a significant feature.