a foundational concept of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a foundational concept of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a key idea or principle that serves as a basis for a theory, system, or framework. Example: "In philosophy, the notion of free will is often considered a foundational concept of moral responsibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This notion is a foundational concept of Wolff's ontology and is ultimately derived by him from the Principle of Contradiction [POC hereafter].

SEP

Meer and Modood (2012) responded by arguing that this overlooks that dialogue is a foundational concept of MC, a suggestion rejected by Cantle (2016a).7 I continue to hold the view that dialogue in the context of identity-based tensions and the remaking of identity-based public sphere and citizenship has been at the heart of MC, so, let me explain the above point in some further depth.

Comparative Migration Studies

Kennedy is often seen as a flip flopper, but his decisions speak more to a foundational concept of individual liberty than to confusion in his jurisprudence.

Huffington Post

Although personal liberty in private relations for women and men is a foundational concept of modern liberalism and the right to privacy, sexual liberty isn't exactly the rallying cry.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The notion of best practice is a foundational concept for vendors of Enterprise Resource Planning systems who use it to support a claim to provide tried and tested, 'best of breed' process models.

Information and Organization

Delegation is a foundational concept for understanding and engineering systems that interact and execute tasks autonomously.

Artificial Intelligence

He went to Australia and documented the Australian Aboriginal practice of singing your way through the wilderness through songlines or dreamings, and that became a huge foundational concept of 'Black Lake.'.

Vice

With I. Nasell, he developed a semi-stochastic model that suggested strategies for control of the disease and which became a foundational concept in mathematical epidemiology.

The New York Times

A foundational concept in the Reggio Emilia approach is the need for collaboration amongst staff.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Biological energy flow is a foundational concept in science education.

CBE Life Sciences Education

The key concept that enzymes function by decreasing activation energy as a means of guiding molecules through the required metabolic pathways can be visualized and incorporated as a foundational concept in cell biology by using boxes with several compartments isolated by large energy barriers.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a foundational concept of" when you want to emphasize that an idea is a fundamental and necessary building block for understanding a broader topic.

Common error

Avoid using "a foundational concept of" as a filler phrase. Ensure the concept you're describing truly underpins the subject matter, and consider using more specific language if possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foundational concept of" functions as a noun phrase modifier. It introduces or specifies a core idea, principle, or element upon which a broader understanding or system is built. Ludwig examples show its use in various academic and professional fields.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a foundational concept of" is grammatically correct and useful for highlighting core ideas in academic, scientific, and professional settings. Ludwig AI indicates it's suitable for introducing important principles upon which further understanding is built. While less common in casual speech, it's a valuable tool for formal writing when emphasizing fundamental aspects. Alternatives like ""a basic principle of"" or ""a core element of"" can be used to vary your language while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a basic principle of

Replaces "concept" with "principle", emphasizing a guiding rule or tenet.

a core element of

Substitutes "concept" with "element", highlighting an essential component.

a fundamental aspect of

Emphasizes the underlying nature of the concept as a key aspect.

an underlying idea of

Focuses on the idea that forms the basis for something.

a cornerstone of

Implies that the concept is vital and supports the rest of the structure.

a key tenet of

Replaces "concept" with "tenet", emphasizing a belief or doctrine.

the basis of

Shortens the phrase to focus on the concept as the groundwork.

the groundwork for

Highlights the preparatory nature of the concept.

the root of

Focuses on the concept as the origin or source.

the foundation for

Implies that the concept provides a base for the rest of the theory.

FAQs

How can I use "a foundational concept of" in a sentence?

You can use "a foundational concept of" to introduce an idea that is fundamental to a particular field or theory. For example, "The principle of supply and demand is "a foundational concept of" economics".

What are some alternatives to "a foundational concept of"?

Alternatives include "a basic principle of", "a core element of", or "a fundamental aspect of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "foundational concept" or "fundamental concept"?

Both "foundational" and "fundamental" are acceptable, but "foundational" often implies that the concept serves as a base upon which other ideas are built. "Fundamental" simply means essential or basic. The choice depends on the context.

Can "a foundational concept of" be used in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a foundational concept of" is more common in formal and academic writing. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "a basic idea of" or "the key to" might be more appropriate.