a sound foundation

USAGE SUMMARY

"a sound foundation" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means a strong and solid base or starting point for something. Example: A successful business must have a sound foundation of dedicated employees and efficient processes.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We want a sound foundation for change.

The New York Times

But it has provided a sound foundation, and takes away the excuse of ignorance.

The New York Times

It was "a milestone success and sets a sound foundation for continued missions", Wu said.

The Guardian

To improve things everyone should have a sound foundation in geriatrics – because the majority of our patients are elderly.

The Guardian

Farron's Labour 'land grab' lacks a sound foundation The Liberal Democrats do like to be beside the seaside.

Independent

If we don't find a way to build a sound foundation for growth, the American dream will survive only in our heads and history books.

The New York Times

Unusually sensitive to questions of rigour, Newton at a fairly early stage tried to establish his new method on a sound foundation using ideas from kinematics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Franklin built a sound foundation for the postal service in the United States, and, fittingly, he became its first postmaster general in 1775.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While we have channeled capital into wars and debt, our competitors in Asia and Latin America have worked with infrastructure banks to lay a sound foundation for growth.

The New York Times

It is not, people seem to have concluded, a sound foundation for a newly unified Israel.If Mr Mordechai should decide on an 11th-hour pull-out, the other two no-hopers will almost certainly follow his example.

The Economist

"I was really happy for those guys and glad that the work we did in player development for the Red Sox built a sound foundation of a championship team," Duquette said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a sound foundation", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being supported by this foundation. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a sound foundation" in vague or general contexts. Always specify what is being built upon this foundation to give your writing more precision and meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sound foundation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object of a preposition. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its role in describing a reliable basis for something. Examples show it applied across diverse fields, from economics to personal development.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sound foundation" is a versatile and frequently used noun phrase that signifies a strong and reliable base. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, from academic and scientific writing to news reporting and business communication. Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its widespread acceptance and relevance. When using this phrase, it's crucial to specify what exactly is built upon this foundation to ensure clarity and maximize impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a solid groundwork

Emphasizes the preparatory and fundamental nature of the base.

a strong base

A more general term indicating overall strength and stability.

a firm footing

Highlights the security and stability provided, often in the context of progress or advancement.

a good grounding

Focuses on providing comprehensive basic knowledge or skills.

a robust basis

Stresses the strength and resilience of the underlying support.

a stable bedrock

Implies a deep, unshakeable layer of support.

a secure platform

Suggests a safe and reliable base from which to operate or launch.

a reliable starting point

Highlights the function as a point of origination that can be trusted.

a dependable infrastructure

Focuses on the essential systems and facilities that support an organization or activity.

a well-established principle

Highlights fundamental concepts as the basis.

FAQs

How can I use "a sound foundation" in a sentence?

You can use "a sound foundation" to describe the basis for something successful. For example: "The company's success was built on "a sound foundation" of customer service."

What's a good alternative to "a sound foundation"?

Alternatives include "a solid basis", "a firm footing", or "a strong base", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "solid" or "sound" when referring to a foundation?

Both "solid foundation" and "sound foundation" are acceptable. "Solid" emphasizes physical strength and stability, while "sound" suggests reliability and good judgment. Choose the word that best fits the intended meaning. "A solid foundation" and "a sound foundation" have similar applications.

What does it mean to "build a sound foundation"?

To "build a sound foundation" means to create a strong and reliable base for future success or development. It involves establishing core principles, practices, or resources that will support growth and stability.