a foundational principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a foundational principle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a basic or essential idea that serves as the basis for a system, theory, or belief. Example: "Respect for individual rights is a foundational principle of our democracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

A foundational principle of Thinking Matters courses is that there are multiple perspectives on any question.

Stanford University

A commitment to greater transparency should not be viewed as a nice-to-have strategy but as a foundational principle for how business and government operate and communicate with the public.

The New York Times

All this in the United States, which historically championed press freedom as a foundational principle that truly made America great, inspiring people around the world seeking free expression of their own.

The Washington Post

Prescribed, or controlled, fire is a foundational principle in the Southeast, where places such as Florida are succeeding in replacing wild fire with tame fire, but it has foundered in the West.

The Washington Post

UC Berkeley liberal arts courses deserve credit for teaching me about the 'fundamental attribution error', a foundational principle of social psychology which observes that people tend to attribute personal or temperamental causes to both individual's and group's behavior in a way that distracts us from the contextual (and social) origins of that behavior.

University of California, Berkeley

A foundational principle of clinical medicine is the importance of individual judgment.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Philip was one of the first to organize a Summa around a central foundational principle, the notion of the good.

SEP

If the claim that human persons have a kind of intrinsic dignity or worth is a true objective principle and if it provides a key foundational principle of morality, it is well worth asking what kinds of metaphysical implications the claim might have.

SEP

Furthermore, contemporary international law recognizes judicial independence as a core and foundational principle.

Huffington Post

Since the ethical principle of respect for patient autonomy, on which the doctrine of informed consent is based, has become a central and foundational principle in modern Western health care, the implication of this challenge is troubling.

BMC Medical Ethics

Trump validates every component of this indictment, even saying that the U.S. commitment to NATO's foundational principle — an attack on one member is an attack on all — is not categorical.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a foundational principle", ensure it is followed by a clear explanation or example to demonstrate its application in the specific context.

Common error

Avoid using "a foundational principle" for ideas that are merely supportive or secondary; reserve it for concepts that are truly fundamental to the argument or system.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foundational principle" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It identifies a fundamental rule, concept, or belief upon which something is based. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to denote essential ideas.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

28%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a foundational principle" is a noun phrase that denotes a core belief or concept upon which something is based. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's frequently found in academic, news, and scientific contexts, indicating a formal to neutral register. Related phrases include "a core tenet" and "a fundamental concept". When using this phrase, ensure the principle is followed by a clear explanation or example. Avoid overstating its importance, reserving it for truly fundamental ideas. The phrase enjoys common usage, as evidenced by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a core tenet

Replaces "principle" with "tenet", emphasizing a belief or doctrine held as true.

a fundamental concept

Substitutes "foundational" with "fundamental" and "principle" with "concept", highlighting the basic understanding of something.

an underlying principle

Indicates a basic rule or belief that supports something else.

a cornerstone of

Emphasizes the importance of something as the basis for something else.

a basic premise

Replaces the entire phrase to focus on an underlying assumption.

a guiding philosophy

Highlights the role of a set of beliefs directing action.

an essential component

Stresses the necessary part of a larger whole.

a key element

Shifts the focus to an essential part or component.

a central idea

Focuses on the most important thought or theme.

a primary assumption

Focuses on something accepted as true at the outset.

FAQs

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

You can use "a foundational principle" to introduce a core belief or concept, for example: "Respect for individual rights is a foundational principle of our society."

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

You can use alternatives like "a core tenet", "a fundamental concept", or "a basic premise" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "a foundational principle" and "a guiding principle"?

"A foundational principle" is a core belief on which something is based, while "a guiding principle" is a rule or philosophy that directs actions or decisions.

Is "a foundational principle" formal or informal?

"A foundational principle" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in academic, news, and professional settings. It is used to denote important and underlying concepts.