a fundamental virtue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fundamental virtue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing essential moral qualities or principles that are considered important in a particular context, such as ethics or philosophy. Example: "Honesty is often regarded as a fundamental virtue in building trust within relationships."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

So understood, selfishness is a fundamental virtue.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Telling the truth and being honest is a fundamental virtue of Amish faith, and he is directly violating the teachings of Jesus if he is lying," Professor Kraybill said.

The New York Times

A fundamental virtue of the cinema, and maybe even the founding one, is that it makes time ebb and flow: that it conjures a sense of time, of time as such, that isn't necessarily that of the real-time events onscreen; that it puts apparent continuities out of sync with themselves, layers tempi, unfolds instants into rising arcs, drops slow unfoldings into shocking free fall.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Rawls considered civil disobedience should be viewed as an appeal, warning or admonishment (showing general respect and fidelity to the rule of law by the non-violence and transparency of methods adopted) that a law breaches a community's fundamental virtue of justice.

Wikipedia

In taking the question "What sort of person ought I to be?" as fundamental, virtue ethics entails a richer moral psychology than its rivals.

The New York Times - Books

"It is a fundamental American virtue to leave people alone to their own devices.

The Guardian

Iqbal and his admirers steadily maintained that creative self-affirmation is a fundamental Muslim virtue; his critics said he imposed themes from the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche on Islam.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dworkin devotes the stiffest part of "Sovereign Virtue" to an explication of the thought that the fundamental virtue of any society is equality.

The New York Times - Books

"Imagination is the fundamental virtue of civilisation.

The Guardian - Books

Throughout his long career in politics, McCain, who called his PAC Straight Talk America, has presented frankness as his fundamental virtue.

The New Yorker

The other, more fundamental virtue of the gas tax is that it brings the price of gasoline in line with its true cost.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fundamental virtue" to emphasize the foundational importance of a quality or principle within a specific context. For instance, in discussing ethics, highlight honesty as "a fundamental virtue" for building trust.

Common error

Avoid using "a fundamental virtue" in overly abstract or vague contexts without providing specific examples or clarifying its practical implications. Ground the virtue in concrete actions or behaviors to make its meaning more accessible and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fundamental virtue" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object. It identifies and emphasizes a core, essential, or foundational moral quality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fundamental virtue" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the critical importance of a specific moral quality. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's relatively rare in occurrence. Predominantly found in news, encyclopedia, and wiki contexts, it's employed to highlight core values and principles. Remember to use it in clear, specific contexts, and consider alternatives like "an essential virtue" or "a core principle" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an essential virtue

Replaces "fundamental" with "essential", emphasizing necessity.

a core principle

Substitutes "virtue" with "principle", focusing on a guiding belief.

a basic tenet

Replaces "fundamental virtue" with "basic tenet", highlighting a foundational belief or doctrine.

a key attribute

Changes the focus to a characteristic or quality.

a primary value

Replaces "virtue" with "value", emphasizing importance or worth.

an integral aspect

Shifts focus to a necessary part or component.

a crucial element

Highlights the importance of an aspect.

a bedrock belief

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the belief.

a central ideal

Focuses on the ideal as a core concept.

a cornerstone value

Combines the imagery of a cornerstone with the concept of a value.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fundamental virtue" to emphasize the foundational importance of a quality or principle. For example, "Integrity is "a fundamental virtue" for leadership."

What are some alternatives to "a fundamental virtue"?

Alternatives include "an essential virtue", "a core principle", or "a basic tenet" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "a fundamental virtue" or "an fundamental virtue"?

"A fundamental virtue" is correct. Since "fundamental" starts with a consonant sound, the indefinite article "a" should be used.

What makes something "a fundamental virtue"?

A virtue is considered "fundamental" when it serves as a necessary and foundational element for moral character, ethical behavior, or the stability of a system. Without it, other virtues or positive outcomes are difficult to achieve.