a foundational idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a foundational idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a concept or principle that serves as a basis for further thought, development, or understanding. Example: "The theory of evolution is a foundational idea in the field of biology that influences many other scientific disciplines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"A foundational idea for this show was that we are permanently in a condition of creating, being excited or horrified by our inventions," said Boryana Rossa, a Bulgarian-born artist and graduate student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.

The New York Times - Science

"It will take a lifestyle change," says Kurtz. "This is becoming a foundational idea".

Science Magazine

Our paper reports on two studies investigating practicing and prospective elementary teachers' uses of a learning trajectory to make sense of students' thinking about a foundational idea of rational number reasoning.

The Journal of Mathematical Behavior

That's a foundational idea behind Buzzfeed's LGBTQ coverage, and that they've been so successful suggests a lot about the centrality and importance of social media in culture.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Yet by the program's end, after Mr. Ferguson has introduced you to derivatives and all those other arcane financial instruments and practices, it becomes clear just how distorted that foundational idea — borrow money, pay it back — has become.

The New York Times - Arts

We really started with this foundational idea of 'let's let people jump in to their Star Wars battle fantasy and play it their way'," he says, "That has been the guiding principle, and that hasn't changed at all".

The Guardian - Tech

It's an inelegant phrase that has been slow to take hold, perhaps because the foundational idea of Rwanda's post-genocide order is to emphasize an inclusive national identity, and to treat Hutu and Tutsi as distinctions that belong more to the past.

The New Yorker

The talk of both "suffering" and "happiness" suggests that Horkheimer oscillated between pessimistic and optimistic renderings of this foundational idea.

SEP

The foundational idea, if there is one, is to limit your opponents scoring chances by denying them the ball.

Huffington Post

While human rights are also concerned with these issues, their specific starting point is the foundational idea of inherent dignity, worth and equal rights of all humans.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

The foundational idea of Gestalt therapy is that adults can choose how to lead their lives and they are at all times responsible for their own choices and actions.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a foundational idea" when you want to emphasize that a particular concept is a necessary basis for further understanding or development in a field or argument.

Common error

Avoid using "a foundational idea" too frequently in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "core principle" or "basic concept" to maintain reader engagement and prevent your writing from sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foundational idea" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As shown by Ludwig, it denotes a core concept or principle upon which further understanding or development is based.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a foundational idea" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a fundamental concept or principle. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, highlighting its function in emphasizing the core basis of an argument or system. Though not extremely common, the phrase appears across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing, as seen in Ludwig's examples. Related phrases include "a basic principle", "a core concept", and "a fundamental principle", offering alternative ways to express similar meanings. When employing this phrase, writers should aim to emphasize the bedrock nature of the concept while avoiding overuse for stylistic reasons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a basic principle

Replaces 'foundational' with 'basic', emphasizing the fundamental nature of the idea.

a core concept

Substitutes 'foundational' with 'core', highlighting the central importance of the idea.

a fundamental principle

Replaces 'foundational' with 'fundamental', stressing the essential nature of the principle.

an underlying principle

Focuses on the idea as the basis for something else.

a bedrock principle

Emphasizes the stability and reliability of the principle.

a cornerstone concept

Highlights the concept as essential for the structure or system it supports.

a key tenet

Replaces 'idea' with 'tenet', suggesting a principle or belief held as part of a doctrine.

a central theme

Focuses on the idea as a recurring element or subject.

a primary assumption

Highlights that the idea is the assumption, starting point, or premise.

a guiding principle

Emphasizes the idea's role in directing actions or decisions.

FAQs

How can "a foundational idea" be used in a sentence?

You can use "a foundational idea" to refer to a core principle or concept upon which a theory, argument, or system is based. For example: "The concept of supply and demand is "a foundational idea" in economics".

What are some alternatives to saying "a foundational idea"?

Alternatives include "a basic principle", "a core concept", or "a fundamental principle". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "foundational" or "fundamental" when describing an idea?

Both "foundational" and "fundamental" can work. "Fundamental" emphasizes the essential nature of the idea, while "foundational" highlights its role as a base upon which other ideas are built. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What makes an idea "foundational"?

An idea is considered "foundational" when it serves as a crucial starting point or base for further reasoning, theories, or systems. It's an idea that, if removed or altered, would significantly impact the structure built upon it.