a foundational tenet of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a foundational tenet of" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to introduce a key principle or belief that underpins a particular area of understanding or opinion. For example, "A foundational tenet of psychology is understanding how the human brain works."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The counter claim that species indeed are discrete and stable is of course a foundational tenet of the religiously based view of creation, the very opposite of transmutation.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Sue Decker: A foundational tenet of AMP is that it is built on the exchange, any ad network that is open will have full participation in the exchange.

TechCrunch

Each course segment will consider in depth a foundational tenet of contract law, but applied to a new and modern fact pattern.

Duke University

Secularism was a foundational tenet of Bangladesh's 1971 constitution.

Huffington Post

A foundational tenet of our work is that writing is a powerful way to uncover student thinking.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Few leaders in the West openly embrace it as a foundational tenet for their leadership style (Martin Luther King being a rare exception that comes to mind).

Forbes

Impose those beliefs on people who choose to join your religion but it ends there... you cannot impose those beliefs on the country or culture at large; that is a foundational tenet upon which this country was built.

Huffington Post

But it has been dampened in recent years by a series of government-sponsored bills: one demanding that non-Jewish Israelis take loyalty oaths; another authorizing the finance ministry to withhold funds from organizations deemed — however vaguely — to be violating Israel's foundational tenet of a "Jewish and democratic" state.

The New Yorker

Or when he espouses the critique of development as the foundational tenet of a new development policy?

Johns Hopkins University

National sovereignty, of course, has been perhaps the foundational tenet of international affairs for centuries.

The Washington Post

It's even more difficult to maintain the separation of banking from commerce — which is still the foundational tenet of United States bank regulation — in the face of banks' extensive private equity operations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a foundational tenet of", ensure that the principle you are introducing is genuinely fundamental to the topic and not just a supporting idea.

Common error

Avoid using "a foundational tenet of" to describe ideas that are merely important or significant but not truly fundamental or foundational to the subject matter. This can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foundational tenet of" functions as a noun phrase modifier, specifically introducing a noun or concept that serves as a fundamental principle or belief upon which something is based. Ludwig's examples highlight its use in academic, religious, and political contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a foundational tenet of" is a phrase used to introduce a core principle or belief. While grammatically correct, its frequency is relatively rare. It is primarily used in news and media and academic contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is valid for use in written English, and you can use it to establish a base of understanding to make your writing more effective. The use of this phrase highlights a fundamental concept that is essential for comprehending a particular subject. When using this phrase, remember to ensure that the principle you are introducing is truly fundamental and not just a supporting idea to avoid overstating the importance of the matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a core principle of

Replaces "tenet" with "principle", emphasizing a basic truth or belief.

a fundamental aspect of

Substitutes "tenet" with "aspect", highlighting a basic part or feature.

a basic element of

Uses "element" instead of "tenet", focusing on a necessary or characteristic part.

a cornerstone of

Replaces the entire phrase to suggest a base on which something depends.

an integral part of

Emphasizes that something is an essential component.

a central component of

Substitutes with "component", indicating a key element or ingredient.

a key component of

Substitutes with "component", indicating a key element or ingredient.

a basic premise of

Focuses on an assumption that something is based on.

a critical element of

Highlights the importance of the element

a primary assumption of

Emphasizes the phrase as a starting point of reasoning

FAQs

How can I use "a foundational tenet of" in a sentence?

Use "a foundational tenet of" to introduce a core principle or belief that underlies a concept. For example, "A foundational tenet of democracy is the right to vote."

What are some alternatives to "a foundational tenet of"?

Alternatives include "a core principle of", "a fundamental aspect of", or "a basic element of", depending on the specific context.

Is "a foundational tenet of" formal or informal?

"A foundational tenet of" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for academic, professional, and news-related contexts. Less formal alternatives may be more appropriate in casual conversation.

What's the difference between "a foundational tenet of" and "a key tenet of"?

"A foundational tenet of" implies a more fundamental and essential principle, while "a key tenet of" simply suggests that the principle is important or significant but not necessarily at the base level.