a foundational piece

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a foundational piece" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an essential or core element of a larger concept, project, or system. Example: "The research conducted in this study serves as a foundational piece for understanding the impact of climate change on biodiversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Apple admits that version X is a "foundational piece".

The New York Times - Tech

Lamar Miller will join DeAndre Hopkins as a foundational piece of the offense.

The Guardian - Sport

Harkless and Vucevic are the most intriguing long-term assets involved in a trade for one of the league's top talents, and while both project to be rotation-caliber players, neither seems even remotely capable of being a foundational piece for Orlando.

The New York Times

Perhaps more importantly, UboundID also gives Ping its own identity data store, a foundational piece for its identity platform.

TechCrunch

I don't see it as a luxury item; I see it as a foundational piece of who we are as an innovation nation.

Science Magazine

"The acquisition gives Cisco a place holder into this market and a better software story," Wang said, but it's only a foundational piece, not the entire solution.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

When Luke Walton was hired as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer of 2016, he inherited a roster that, while lacking a true foundational piece, was nonetheless sprinkled with young, talented players.

Vice

We built three workweek-chic looks around one foundational piece -- a classic A-line dress in a summery floral print.

Huffington Post

The Journal article is "the foundational piece on my perspective (as an academic) on Paterno," Garrow wrote in an e-mail.

The New York Times - Sports

This is a team that might make the playoffs, but it won't go anywhere until it can add the kind of foundational piece that Jordan represents as one of the game's top centers.

Los Angeles Times

We roll up our sleeves and get stuck in with them in many of the foundational pieces of building a company.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a foundational piece" to emphasize the fundamental and indispensable nature of an element within a broader context. This highlights its critical role in supporting the overall structure or concept.

Common error

Avoid using "a foundational piece" for trivial or less significant elements. It should be reserved for truly fundamental aspects that are crucial for the whole structure to function effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foundational piece" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object. It identifies a component that is essential for the integrity and success of a larger system, concept, or structure, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a foundational piece" is used to describe an essential or core element of a larger concept or system. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and serves to emphasize the importance and necessity of the component it describes. It's most commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, though it can also be used in formal business discussions. While similar phrases such as "a fundamental element" and "a cornerstone" exist, "a foundational piece" specifically highlights the supporting role the element plays in the larger structure. Remember to reserve this phrase for truly indispensable elements to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental element

Emphasizes the essential and basic nature of the element.

a cornerstone

Highlights the importance of the piece as a base for something larger.

an essential component

Focuses on the part the element plays in a system or structure.

a key ingredient

Suggests that the piece is vital for the success or completion of something.

a building block

Highlights how the item contributes to constructing something over time.

a core component

Implies this piece is central and crucial.

a basic necessity

Indicates that the item is indispensable.

a primary constituent

Focuses on the composition and essential makeup.

an integral part

Highlights the interconnectedness and necessity.

a critical aspect

Emphasizes how important something is to overall success.

FAQs

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

Use "a foundational piece" to describe an essential component of something larger. For example, "Understanding basic algebra is "a foundational piece" for advanced mathematics".

What phrases are similar to "a foundational piece"?

Alternatives include "a fundamental element", "a cornerstone", or "an essential component", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "foundational piece" without the article 'a'?

While "foundational piece" might be understood in some contexts, it's generally better to use the article "a" (or "an" if the following word starts with a vowel sound) for grammatical correctness and clarity, especially in formal writing.

What's the difference between "a foundational piece" and "a fundamental piece"?

While similar, ""a foundational piece"" often implies something that supports or underpins a broader structure, whereas "a fundamental piece" simply refers to something basic or essential.