a fundamental thing

USAGE SUMMARY

"a fundamental thing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to talk about something that is basic, essential, or important. For example: "The ability to think critically is a fundamental thing that all students should learn in school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"That's a fundamental thing for Christians".

The New York Times

"It's a fundamental thing," he explained.

The Guardian

So that is a fundamental thing that will drive us toward efficiency.

The New York Times - Sports

That is a fundamental thing that we're able to tap into," Ford says.

The Guardian - Sport

"Maybe it's a fundamental thing about software, which has to be very, very flexible.

The New York Times

"We are immersed in studying Mesopotamia, and this is a fundamental thing that we don't understand well enough".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

He travels a lot and relaxing in heat is a very fundamental thing in his life.

Vice

I think it's just a basic fundamental thing.

BMC Health Services Research

"That to me seems a far more fundamental thing to be worrying about than whether all schools should be academies by 2022".

The Guardian

So obviously when we started looking at a new pay system in April, we knew we wanted to change a few fundamental things.

TechCrunch

"Allow me to get a few fundamental things straight.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you aim to communicate that something is not merely important, but foundational to a larger process, use the phrase "a fundamental thing".

Common error

Avoid using "a fundamental thing" excessively in casual conversation. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in informal settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "basic", "key", or "essential" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fundamental thing" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable. It identifies something as being basic, essential, or important, giving it particular significance within a given context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fundamental thing" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the essential or foundational nature of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appropriate in various contexts, though it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly formal in casual conversation. Its prevalence in news media highlights its role in conveying core concepts, while alternatives like "an essential aspect" or "a core element" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Therefore, understanding its function and considering the context will ensure its most effective application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an essential aspect

Changes the noun from 'thing' to 'aspect', focusing on a specific part or feature.

a core element

Replaces 'fundamental' with 'core' and 'thing' with 'element', emphasizing the central and indispensable nature.

a basic principle

Substitutes 'thing' with 'principle', suggesting a foundational rule or belief.

a key component

Uses 'key component' instead of 'fundamental thing', stressing its role as a necessary part of a larger system.

an integral part

Replaces the phrase with a more formal expression emphasizing the necessity and interconnectedness of something.

a crucial element

Substitute 'fundamental' with 'crucial', suggesting that the matter is essential for success.

a cornerstone

Employs 'cornerstone', indicating something is a primary foundation upon which everything else is built.

a building block

Uses 'building block' to describe an element necessary for building something larger.

a primary consideration

Focuses on the importance of something to be taken into account.

a central tenet

Replaces 'thing' with 'tenet' emphasizing that it is a basic and important belief.

FAQs

How can I use "a fundamental thing" in a sentence?

You can use "a fundamental thing" to emphasize the importance of something, as in "Understanding the basics is "a fundamental thing" for success in any field".

What are some alternatives to "a fundamental thing"?

Some alternatives include "a key aspect", "a core element", or "a basic principle", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the fundamental thing is"?

Yes, "the fundamental thing is" is a grammatically correct phrase. It's used to emphasize what is most important or essential in a given situation.

How does "a fundamental thing" differ from "an important thing"?

"A fundamental thing" implies that something is foundational and essential, while "an important thing" simply means something is significant. "Fundamental" carries a stronger sense of being a necessary base upon which other things depend. The phrase "an important thing" doesn't have the same connotation of being a necessity.