a foundational issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a foundational issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a fundamental problem or concern that serves as the basis for other issues or discussions. Example: "The lack of communication within the team is a foundational issue that needs to be addressed before we can move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Archbishop Chaput, who has stopped short of telling his flock how to vote, has called abortion a "foundational issue".

The New York Times

"The church says abortion is a foundational issue," the archbishop explained to a group of Catholic college students gathered in a sports bar here in this swing state on Friday night.

The New York Times

There is, however, a foundational issue that arises here.

SEP

A foundational issue to is describe exactly what the difference between the two consists in.

SEP

In this section, we briefly discuss a foundational issue that arises in games with imperfect information.

SEP

Quantifier elimination is a foundational issue in the field of algebraic and logic computation.

Journal of Symbolic Computation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Previous work provides some insights on how meaning can become attached to form, but a more foundational issue is presently unaddressed.

Cognition

A third foundational issue related to the nature of belief has to do with whether or not belief-formation is in some way voluntary or under the control of the will.

SEP

Iran's leaders celebrate the takeover every year as a foundational event of the Islamic revolution.

The New York Times

The following theorem is a foundational result in dynamic inequalities.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

The foundational issue is a question of property rights".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a foundational issue", ensure that you clearly explain why the issue is fundamental and how it impacts other aspects of the subject matter. Providing context will strengthen your argument and improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a foundational issue" simply as a synonym for "important issue". This phrase carries a stronger implication of being a basis for other problems, so reserve it for situations where this underlying relationship is clear and relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foundational issue" functions as a noun phrase, where "foundational" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "issue". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a foundational issue" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase for identifying a fundamental problem underlying other related concerns. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While it appears across diverse contexts, including Science, News & Media, and Formal & Business domains, it is crucial to use the phrase judiciously, ensuring a clear connection between the identified issue and its subsequent impact. Remember to offer sufficient context to underscore the foundational nature of the issue for maximum clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental issue

Replaces "foundational" with "fundamental", emphasizing the basic nature of the issue. The meaning remains nearly identical.

a core issue

Substitutes "foundational" with "core", highlighting the central and essential nature of the problem.

a primary issue

Replaces "foundational" with "primary", indicating the issue is of utmost importance and precedes others.

a basic issue

Replaces "foundational" with "basic", focusing on the rudimentary and underlying nature of the problem.

a critical issue

Substitutes "foundational" with "critical", stressing the importance and urgency of addressing the issue.

a pivotal issue

Replaces "foundational" with "pivotal", emphasizing the issue's role as a turning point or crucial factor.

an underlying issue

Highlights that the issue is not immediately obvious, but it exists beneath the surface and influences other problems.

a root problem

Focuses on the fundamental cause of a problem, suggesting that addressing it will resolve related issues.

an essential problem

Replaces "foundational" with "essential", highlighting the crucial and indispensable nature of the problem.

a central problem

Emphasizes the issue's importance as a key point of focus and consideration.

FAQs

What does "a foundational issue" mean?

The phrase "a foundational issue" refers to a fundamental problem or concern that underlies and influences other related issues. It's an issue that needs to be addressed first before any progress can be made on secondary concerns.

How can I use "a foundational issue" in a sentence?

You can use "a foundational issue" to describe a problem that is at the root of other problems. For example: "The lack of basic literacy skills is "a foundational issue" hindering economic development in the region."

What can I say instead of "a foundational issue"?

You can use alternatives like "a fundamental issue", "a core issue", or "a primary issue" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a foundational issue" in formal writing?

Yes, "a foundational issue" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic, business, and technical contexts, because it conveys the idea of a fundamental problem in a professional manner.