a foundational text

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a foundational text" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a work that serves as a basis or starting point for a particular field, discipline, or body of knowledge. Example: "The Constitution is often regarded as a foundational text of American democracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Now, almost three decades later, that song is a foundational text, a standard, and an afterthought.

The New York Times - Arts

Bernheimer's title recalls an episode from the Zohar, a foundational text of Jewish mysticism, in which Eve, still in Paradise, is charged with minding the son of Samael.

The New Yorker

Published in 1847, it is deeply embedded in the tradition of Serbian epic poetry and is a foundational text of Serbian cultural nationalism.

The New York Times

In early 2010, audio of Kurt Cobain wincing through "Smells Like Teen Spirit" — Nirvana's first charting hit, from 1991, and a foundational text for the next few decades of punk-rock bands — suddenly appeared online.

The New Yorker

The Iliad – a foundational text of European literature – is still the greatest of all war poems, ready to be read afresh, and from a different perspective, by each generation.

The Guardian - Books

In the 1922 book "Economy and Society," a foundational text in the study of leadership, the sociologist Max Weber distinguished between the "charismatic" leadership of traditional societies and the "bureaucratic" leadership on offer in the industrialized world.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

This called to mind Jose Canseco, whose best-seller, "Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big," is a sort of foundational text of what we now know as the Steroid Era.

The New Yorker

When Detective McNulty, finds a copy of capitalism's foundational text, Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations, in Bell's apartment, he says, mystified: "What the fuck was I chasing?" Bell was hardly your average drug-dealing thug.

The Guardian - Film

The Wall Street Journal's recent editorial has the bold title: "Public Schools Should Teach the Bible: Westerners cannot be considered literate without a basic knowledge of this foundational text.

Huffington Post

The foundational text of Protestantism was a listicle nailed to a church door: Martin Luther's "95 Theses" posted at Wittenberg.

The Guardian - Books

While most still believe the Bible to be a foundational religious text, they bring the understanding of cultural context and interpretive fluidity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a foundational text" to underscore the fundamental importance of a document or work in shaping subsequent thought or practice in a particular field.

Common error

Avoid using "a foundational text" in casual or informal writing. This phrase is best suited for academic, professional, or formal contexts where the depth and significance of the text are being emphasized.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foundational text" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific written work as being fundamental to a field of study, ideology, or cultural movement. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, highlighting various texts from literature to scientific studies.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a foundational text" is a noun phrase used to describe a written work that serves as an essential basis for a particular field or area of study. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, especially within news and media, science, and encyclopedias. While versatile, its formality suits it better for academic, professional, and formal writing. Alternatives like "a seminal work" or "a fundamental document" can provide slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a seminal work

Focuses on the influence and originality of the text.

a fundamental document

Emphasizes the importance of the text as a cornerstone.

a core text

Highlights the text's centrality to a subject.

a cornerstone of

Emphasizes the supporting and essential role.

a key source

Focuses on the text as a primary origin of information.

an essential reading

Highlights the text's importance for understanding a subject.

a basic text

Highlights the text's role for a novice.

a primary source

Focuses on the text's origin and lack of secondary influence.

a building block

Metaphorically represents the text as a component.

the groundwork for

Emphasizes what comes later after the initial base.

FAQs

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

You can use "a foundational text" to describe a book, document, or any written work that serves as an essential basis for a particular field or area of study. For example, "The Wealth of Nations" is considered "a foundational text" in economics.

What are some alternatives to "a foundational text"?

Alternatives include "a seminal work", "a fundamental document", or "a core text". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to refer to a movie as "a foundational text"?

While typically used for written works, "a foundational text" can be extended to other media like films or influential songs if they establish core concepts or significantly influence a genre or movement. For instance, someone might say that "Birth of a Nation" is "a foundational text" for cinematic techniques, though it is also known for its problematic content.

What makes "a foundational text" different from "an influential book"?

While an influential book has a broad impact, "a foundational text" specifically establishes basic principles or concepts upon which later work is built. A foundational text is not just impactful; it is fundamental to the development of a field or idea. This means it serves as "a core text" for that area.