a foundational question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a foundational question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a fundamental or essential inquiry that serves as a basis for further exploration or understanding of a topic. Example: "In our discussion about ethics, we must first address a foundational question: What is the nature of right and wrong?"

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A foundational question is whether the analogue of "congruence subgroups" are finitely generated.

University of California, Berkeley

Failing to answer a foundational question, whether it's due to a lack of preparation or nervousness, can have dire consequences.

Science Magazine

The podcast market will discover the answer to a foundational question about its future in the next few years.

TechCrunch

This question is interesting because, despite Aristotle's meager account (Physics V.22.26b1 8), it became a foundational question in medieval natural philosophy.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, a Pew Fellowship, a Foundational Questions in Evolutionary Biology grant, a Sloan Foundation Fellowship, and a Siebel Scholarship.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

All of a sudden there was a more foundational question: What makes our business possible?

Johns Hopkins University

Additional support was provided by a Princeton Environmental Institute Grand Challenges grant; the National Geographic Society (grant no. 9291); the NSF (grant nos. EAR-0847368 and DEB-0816453); the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; and a John Templeton Foundation Foundational Questions in Evolutionary Biology grant (no. RFP-12-14).

Princeton University

But it will be useful to offer several simple answers to this foundational question as a sort of conceptual map of the nature of historical knowing.

SEP

In the first chapter, "¡Hip Hop, Revolución!," Baker lays the foundational question of what hip hop means in the context of a socialist state.

Johns Hopkins University

This Article answers this foundational question in the affirmative.

Harvard University

An even more foundational question for the English NHS is the responsibilities of the secretary of state – the very duties which put the "national" into the health service.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a foundational question" when introducing a topic that requires a basic understanding before proceeding to more complex aspects. It signals that the question is essential for building knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "a foundational question" when a simpler phrase like "a basic question" or "a key question" would suffice. Overusing the term can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foundational question" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a basic, underlying inquiry upon which further understanding or analysis depends. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase introduces a core question.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

59%

News & Media

22%

Science

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a foundational question" is a noun phrase used to introduce a core inquiry essential for understanding a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is most common in academic, news, and scientific contexts. While the phrase is grammatically correct, consider simpler alternatives like "a key question" in less formal settings to avoid sounding overly complex. Remember that it implies the question will lay the groundwork for further understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key question

Emphasizes the importance of the question being central to the topic.

a primary question

Highlights that the question is of first importance or rank.

a fundamental inquiry

Replaces "question" with "inquiry", suggesting a deeper or more thorough investigation.

a core question

Focuses on the question being at the very heart of the matter.

an essential question

Stresses the necessity of the question for understanding.

a basic question

Indicates the question is elementary and underpins further understanding.

a central question

Highlights the question's role as a focal point of discussion or analysis.

a crucial question

Emphasizes the critical importance of the question for decision-making or outcomes.

a critical question

Highlights the question's importance to the analysis of a situation.

a foundational issue

Replaces "question" with "issue", focusing on the underlying problem or concern.

FAQs

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

You can use "a foundational question" to introduce a core concept or inquiry that needs to be addressed before delving into more complex aspects of a topic. For example, "A foundational question in ethics is: What is the nature of right and wrong?"

What are some alternatives to "a foundational question"?

Alternatives to "a foundational question" include "a key question", "a primary question", or "a core question", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a foundational question" versus "a basic question"?

"A foundational question" is best used when the question is fundamental to a larger framework or system of thought. "A basic question", on the other hand, is more suitable for simple or elementary inquiries.

Is there a difference between "a foundational question" and "a fundamental question"?

While "a foundational question" and "a fundamental question" are often used interchangeably, "a foundational question" often implies that answering the question will lay the groundwork for understanding something more complex.