a founding text

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a founding text" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a primary document or work that serves as a basis for a particular ideology, movement, or field of study. Example: "The Constitution is often regarded as a founding text of American democracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Is it a living document or a founding text?

The Economist

It became a founding text for utopian agitation.

The Guardian

It's this quest that makes The Bell Jar a founding text of Anglo-American feminism.

The Guardian - Books

Since childhood, he had dreamed of adapting Mary Shelley's novel, which he considers a founding text of modern monster mythology.

The New Yorker

Showalter's first book, "A Literature of Their Own" (1977), was a founding text of academic women's studies.

The New York Times - Books

Within the academy, it serves as a founding text in the field of postcolonial studies, and undergirds investigations of imperial culture, knowledge production, and categories of identity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It's a noisy miscellany: folk-rock ("Doughnut for a Snowman"), near-punk ("God Loves Us"), chamber-pop ("Hang Mr. Kite"), glam ("How I Met My Mother"), psychedelic-drone ("Wave"), power-pop ("The Unsinkable Fats Domino"), even a found-text recitation over echoey keyboards ("The Things That Never Need").

The New York Times - Arts

The closest we come to a reference to god in any founding text is in the Declaration of Independence, which mentions "their Creator" and the protection of "divine providence" but never appeals to god to interfere in the affairs of men.

Huffington Post

However, according to literary critic González Echevarría it is not only a powerful founding text but "the first Latin American classic, and the most important book written about Latin America by a Latin American in any discipline or genre".

Wikipedia

When Heim died, at the age of eighty-eight, in 1937, "Remarks on a Fatal Fall" — now considered the founding text of a vast literature of near-death experience (or N.D.E).

The New Yorker

Philosophers deployed these ideas in (1) the yin-yang cosmology of the Yi jing, (2) theories of correlative correspondence between Heaven, Earth and Humanity as a shared representation of cosmic order, and (3) the idea of a "classic" or "canon" as the founding text of a textual lineage.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a text as "a founding text", ensure you clearly specify the movement, field, or idea it is foundational to for clarity. For instance, "The Communist Manifesto" is a founding text of communism.

Common error

Avoid labeling a text as "a founding text" without sufficient evidence or consensus within the relevant field. Overusing the term can diminish its significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a founding text" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability, indicating its role in identifying a document or work of primary importance. It denotes a text that establishes fundamental principles.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a founding text" is a noun phrase used to describe a document or work that establishes the fundamental principles of a field, movement, or idea. Ludwig highlights that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. While applicable across various contexts, it frequently appears in news, science, and encyclopedia sources. It's important to use the term judiciously, ensuring the text genuinely holds a foundational role. Alternatives such as "a foundational text" or "a seminal work" can offer nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a foundational text

Replaces 'founding' with 'foundational', emphasizing the base or groundwork it provides.

a seminal text

Substitutes 'founding' with 'seminal', highlighting the text's influence and originality.

a cornerstone text

Emphasizes the text's role as a critical and indispensable element.

an originating text

Focuses on the text as the source or beginning of something.

a primary text

Highlights the text's importance and its role as a central source.

a fundamental document

Switches from 'text' to 'document', suggesting a more formal or official piece.

a basic reference

Replaces text with a reference work, useful for information or verification.

an inaugural piece

Refers to the initiating piece, like a first edition or original article.

a pioneering work

Highlights the innovative and groundbreaking nature of the text.

a key source

Focuses on the text's value as a vital resource of information or insight.

FAQs

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

You can use "a founding text" to describe a document or work that establishes the principles of a field, movement, or idea. For example, "Principia Mathematica is considered "a founding text" of modern physics".

What are some alternatives to "a founding text"?

Alternatives include "a foundational text", "a seminal work", or "a cornerstone text". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What distinguishes "a founding text" from "an influential text"?

"A founding text" specifically denotes a document that establishes the principles of something new, whereas "an influential text" simply means the text had a significant impact, regardless of whether it initiated a new field or movement.

Is it appropriate to refer to multiple texts as "founding texts"?

Yes, if several texts collectively contributed to establishing the foundation of a field or movement. However, be prepared to justify why each text warrants the label.