a fundamental source of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a fundamental source of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an origin of something, such as a problem, an idea, a trait, etc. For example, "A fundamental source of this problem is the lack of knowledge among the people."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

It still remains a fundamental source of information about the Africans.

The New York Times

The nervous system provides a fundamental source of data for understanding the evolutionary relationships between major arthropod groups1,2.

Nature

Degeneracy is a fundamental source of biological robustness, complexity and evolvability in many biological systems.

Journal of Theoretical Biology

The risk is that we will frame trade as a fundamental source of suffering and losses, which would make voters more nervous, not less.

The New York Times

The method of eye-tracking as a fundamental source of information about cognition was finally introduced through the seminal work of Yarbus6.

Nature

Morphological instability of the thermally grown oxide (TGO) is a fundamental source of failure in some thermal barrier systems.

Acta Materialia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Historian Gerda Lerner has pointed out that religious ideas provided a fundamental source for the Declaration of Sentiments.

Wikipedia

Classic, forward, and reverse genetic tools are readily available for fungal models such as Aspergillus and Neurospora, and genetic approaches still remain a fundamental source for the discovery of novel biological functions.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

While defense acquisition policies are continually being revised to address these perennial problems, many believe that a more fundamental source of these overruns is the lack of flexibility in the systems being developed, which tend to preclude effective responses to unexpected events.

Procedia Computer Science

Still, it seems a more fundamental source of disagreement is their differing accounts of God.

SEP

In comparison with the Western tradition, it is notable that the Mohists privilege neither observation nor explanation and by extension, neither experience nor reason as a more fundamental source of knowledge.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fundamental source of", ensure that the noun following "of" clearly identifies what is being originated or caused. Clarity in specifying the outcome enhances the phrase's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a fundamental source of" in overly simplistic or obvious situations. Opt for simpler language when the fundamental nature is already implied. For example, instead of saying "Water is a fundamental source of life", just say "Water is essential for life".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fundamental source of" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It identifies something as a foundational origin or cause.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a fundamental source of" is a versatile and relatively common expression used to denote the essential origin or cause of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Its usage is most prevalent in scientific and news-related domains, lending it a neutral to formal tone. While there are several alternative phrases, such as "a key basis for" or "an essential root of", the choice depends on the desired nuance and the context in which it's used. When employing this phrase, ensure the noun following "of" clearly identifies the outcome or result to avoid ambiguity. Overusing the phrase in simplistic contexts should be avoided for conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary origin of

Replaces "fundamental" with "primary" and "source" with "origin", focusing on the initial point of something.

a key basis for

Substitutes "fundamental source" with "key basis", emphasizing the foundational aspect.

an essential root of

Replaces "source" with "root", highlighting the underlying cause or beginning.

a basic foundation for

Emphasizes the foundational aspect, using "foundation" instead of "source".

a central reason for

Focuses on causality, replacing "source" with "reason".

a core element of

Shifts the focus to a component or part that is essential.

a vital component in

Highlights the importance of the element, emphasizing its life-sustaining role.

an integral part of

Focuses on the completeness or necessity of the element to the whole.

a building block for

Uses a more metaphorical expression to describe a basic element used for construction.

the bedrock of

Emphasizes the solid, unshakeable nature of the base or origin.

FAQs

How can I use "a fundamental source of" in a sentence?

You can use "a fundamental source of" to indicate the origin or basis of something. For example, "Education is "a fundamental source of" progress".

What are some alternatives to "a fundamental source of"?

Some alternatives include "a primary origin of", "a key basis for", or "an essential root of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "a fundamental source of", or can I use simpler phrasing?

In some contexts, simpler phrasing may be more effective. If the fundamental nature is implied, consider using terms like "essential", "basic", or "key" instead.

What is the difference between "a fundamental source of" and "a significant source of"?

"A fundamental source of" implies something is foundational or essential, whereas "a significant source of" simply indicates that something is important or noteworthy, but not necessarily basic.