a strong foundation for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a strong foundation for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the basis or groundwork for something, such as a project, relationship, or concept. Example: "Education provides a strong foundation for a successful career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

The Commission already has a strong foundation for this task.

Harvard University

Mr. Obama called Mr. Dodd's proposal "a strong foundation for reform".

The New York Times

"Working together we can create a strong foundation for the continued success of our business".

Independent

But a strong foundation for immigrant civic engagement has already been laid.

The New York Times

Working together we will create a strong foundation for the continued success of our business".

The Guardian - Business

There's a strong foundation for 2015, which wasn't there building up to the 2011 World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

There he built a strong foundation for a career spanning more than seven decades.

The New York Times

The published literature provides a strong foundation for design of nuclear targeting systems.

Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews

The results of this work provide a strong foundation for future metallic glass designs.

Materials & Design

These analyses may provide a strong foundation for down stream molecular work of fungal biofilms.

Archives of Oral Biology

"Our professors lay a strong foundation for deliberative and successful decisions," he said.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a strong foundation for", ensure that the subsequent subject directly benefits from this foundation. For instance, "Education provides a strong foundation for a successful career" clearly illustrates this relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "a strong foundation for" when the connection to the subject is vague or indirect. For example, avoid saying "a strong foundation for general well-being" when you actually mean "a strong foundation for mental health", be clear and specific.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strong foundation for" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or noun phrase. It indicates that something provides a reliable and robust base or support for the development, success, or stability of something else. Ludwig confirms this pattern through its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

34%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a strong foundation for" is a versatile and frequently used expression that signifies a robust base or support for future development. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly employed across diverse contexts, including news, science, academia, and business. The phrase's communicative purpose emphasizes the importance of a solid starting point for achieving success or stability. While alternatives like "a solid groundwork for" or "a firm basis for" exist, "a strong foundation for" maintains its relevance and effectiveness in conveying the intended meaning. Remember to use this phrase when the link between foundation and subject is clear and direct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a solid groundwork for

Replaces "strong foundation" with "solid groundwork", emphasizing the preparation aspect.

a firm basis for

Substitutes "foundation" with "basis", suggesting a fundamental reason or principle.

a sound platform for

Uses "platform" instead of "foundation", implying a raised level or stage for advancement.

a robust starting point for

Replaces "foundation" with "starting point", highlighting the beginning of a process.

a dependable launching pad for

Emphasizes the idea of initiating or propelling something forward.

a secure base for

Focuses on the safety and reliability aspect of the foundation.

a stable footing for

Implies balance and resilience in the initial stages.

a good jumping-off point for

Suggests the start of a journey or endeavor, with an emphasis on moving forward.

an essential ingredient for

Highlights the crucial and indispensable nature of the foundation.

a cornerstone of

Indicates the fundamental and indispensable nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a strong foundation for" in a sentence?

Use "a strong foundation for" to describe something that provides a solid base for future development or success. For example, "Hard work is a strong foundation for achieving your goals."

What are some alternatives to "a strong foundation for"?

You can use alternatives like "a solid groundwork for", "a firm basis for", or "a sound platform for" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a strong foundation for" or "a good foundation for"?

Both phrases are correct, but "a strong foundation for" emphasizes robustness and resilience, whereas "a good foundation for" simply suggests adequacy. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "a strong foundation for" and "a cornerstone of"?

"A strong foundation for" implies a base that supports something else, while "a cornerstone of" implies something that is essential and indispensable. A "cornerstone of" something is a crucial element, not just a base.