a foundational step

USAGE SUMMARY

"a foundational step" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when referring to a basic action or decision that is the starting point for further development or progress. For example: "Developing a plan was a foundational step in our company's growth strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Today's announcement with ZestFinance is a foundational step toward building a reliable system for assessing credit risk that will help meet the huge market need.

TechCrunch

Setting a definition of Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) before starting the design process is a foundational step for design and performance robustness.

Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) Concepts, Frameworks and Roadmap for Project Analysis and Implementation

Because of these favorable scaling properties, CERI serves as a foundational step in bringing event-based middleware and CEP closer together into a single unified infrastructure component.

Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing

When you feel your heart rate increase, or you begin to sweat, or your breathing quickens, pause and ask yourself, "What am I feeling right now?" and "Why am I feeling this way?" Becoming aware of both your internal and external reactions to circumstances is a foundational step toward effectively handling anxiety.

Huffington Post

Cultivating key champions for evidence-informed health policy could be a foundational step in the formation of new knowledge translation platforms.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Therefore, the information gathered by our study provides a foundational step for designing a methodologically rigorous intervention [ 34] for improving the implementation of PCC guidelines.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Identifying, assessing, and strengthening a central laboratory capacity is a key foundational step for implementing our surveillance tool.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

To the extent that science informs public policy to prevent harm, a robust method to synthesize what is known about the environmental drivers of health in a transparent and systematic manner is a necessary foundational step to making the science actionable.

Environmental Health Perspectives

A policy brief on the Pune model by Women in Informal Employment Globalizing and Organizing (Wiego) cites the union as an important foundational step.

The Guardian

These are all foundational steps in a process of establishing construct validity for an expanding range of applications of the tool.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

The foundational step is a thorough assessment of key map-making steps.

Carbon Balance and Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a foundational step", ensure that the sentence clearly indicates what it lays the groundwork for. For example: "Securing funding is "a foundational step" for launching the project."

Common error

Avoid using "a foundational step" for minor actions. Reserve it for actions that truly establish a basis for significant progress or development. Otherwise you risk diluting the impact of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foundational step" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a necessary initial action or measure. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it sets the stage for future actions or developments. Ludwig AI indicates that it's used correctly in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a foundational step" is a phrase used to describe an initial action of critical importance for subsequent progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for a range of contexts. The phrase is commonly used in scientific and news media, reflecting its utility in both technical and general discussions. While interchangeable with alternatives like "a fundamental action" or "a cornerstone measure", it should be reserved for actions that genuinely establish a basis for significant development. By following these guidelines, writers can effectively use the phrase to convey the essential nature of an initial undertaking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental action

Replaces 'foundational' with 'fundamental', emphasizing the basic and necessary nature of the action.

a cornerstone measure

Substitutes 'step' with 'measure' and 'foundational' with 'cornerstone', highlighting the action's role as a key supporting element.

an essential beginning

Uses 'essential beginning' to replace "a foundational step", focusing on the commencement aspect.

a critical initial move

Emphasizes the importance of the step by using 'critical' and 'initial move'.

a preliminary requirement

Highlights the necessary and preparatory nature of the step.

a basic prerequisite

Similar to 'preliminary requirement', but uses 'basic' and 'prerequisite' to reinforce the essential and foundational nature.

an elementary procedure

Replaces 'step' with 'procedure', suggesting a more formalized initial action.

a key initial phase

Highlights the importance of the step as a phase or stage in a process.

a launching point

Metaphorically describes the step as a place from which further progress begins.

a starting point

Uses a straightforward and common alternative to convey the idea of initiation.

FAQs

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

Use "a foundational step" to describe an initial action that is essential for future progress. For example: "Conducting market research is "a foundational step" for developing a successful business plan."

What are some alternatives to "a foundational step"?

Alternatives include "a fundamental action", "a cornerstone measure", or "an essential beginning". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What does "a foundational step" mean?

It refers to an initial action or measure that is crucial for building or establishing something more significant. It's the base upon which further development depends.

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

Yes, it is appropriate for formal writing. It clearly and effectively communicates the importance of an initial action, making it suitable for reports, proposals, and academic papers.