an important backbone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an important backbone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is essential or foundational to a system, organization, or concept. Example: "The research conducted by our team serves as an important backbone for the development of new policies in the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

NeuroImage

BioMed Research International

Breast Cancer Research

Cancer Management and Research

Huffington Post

TechCrunch

Plosone

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Human Molecular Genetics

The Guardian

The New Yorker

Solid State Ionics

Acta Biomaterialia

Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Vaccine

Biophysical Journal

Biochemistry

Computer Communications

Polymer

BMC Genomics

Advanced Materials

Vice

Nanoscale Research Letters

Biology Direct

Chemistry Central Journal

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Trends in Biochemical Sciences

BMC Biotechnology

BMC Evolutionary Biology

WikiHow

Journal of Molecular Biology

The New York Times

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Forbes

Independent

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This suggests that the rich club serves as an important backbone for numerous co-activation patterns among peripheral nodes of the network.

NeuroImage

However, harsh reaction conditions used have caused an important backbone degradation [ 28– 31].

BioMed Research International

Importantly, endocrine therapy is an important backbone upon which targeted therapy combinations will be built.

Breast Cancer Research

Docetaxel continues to form an important backbone in early breast cancer because its toxicity profile is predictable and has been well documented.

Cancer Management and Research

An important backbone of the US housing market, is a deadly fraction of 2005 levels.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Level 3 does act like a backbone and it is an extremely important backbone.

TechCrunch

Depending on who you ask, Google+ is either a thriving social network and the most important backbone of Google's social efforts, or a deserted wasteland where a small clique of fans keeps the lights on.

TechCrunch

In the free helicase domain structures motif V, an important RNA backbone interaction site [19] [22] is in a binding incompetent conformation.

Plosone

This is the most important (backbone) module of the application, which provides options for the experimental data load, analysis and visualization.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

In certain cases, mutation to a proline within an α-helix likely disrupts local secondary structure (e.g. p.L224P), whereas mutation from glycine can lose important backbone flexibility (e.g. p.G427R, likely causing Gln426 from the catalytic domain to clash with Phe45 in the helical segment).

Human Molecular Genetics

He also used conspicuously warm words to describe Saudi Arabia's contributions, calling Saudi Arabia an important country and "the backbone of the GCC".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an important backbone", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being supported or held together. This phrase works best when describing a foundational or essential element within a larger system.

Common error

Avoid using "an important backbone" in excessively abstract contexts where the structural metaphor doesn't resonate. Opt for more direct terms like "essential" or "crucial" when describing intangible concepts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an important backbone" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object, typically describing something that serves as a foundational support. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an important backbone" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote something essential or foundational to a system or concept. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, though the phrase's frequency is currently rare. It appears across various contexts, including science, news, and business, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies what is being supported. Alternatives include "a crucial foundation" or "a key support system", depending on the desired emphasis. The term should be avoided in excessively abstract contexts to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a crucial foundation

Emphasizes the essential and fundamental nature, replacing "important" with "crucial" and "backbone" with "foundation".

a key support system

Highlights the supporting role, substituting "important" with "key" and "backbone" with "support system".

an essential element

Focuses on the indispensable quality, replacing "backbone" with the more general term "element".

a vital component

Stresses the life-sustaining or critical nature, similar to "essential" but using "component".

a central pillar

Emphasizes the central and supporting role, replacing "backbone" with "pillar".

a primary building block

Highlights the foundational aspect, replacing "backbone" with a construction metaphor.

an integral part

Focuses on the completeness and necessity, avoiding the structural metaphor of "backbone".

a fundamental aspect

Emphasizes the basic and underlying nature, replacing "backbone" with the abstract term "aspect".

a cornerstone

Highlights something of great importance upon which everything else depends.

a lynchpin

Focuses on the element that holds the rest of the structure or organization together.

FAQs

What does "an important backbone" mean?

The phrase "an important backbone" refers to something that is essential, foundational, or provides critical support to a larger system, organization, or concept. It suggests that without this element, the entire structure would be weakened or collapse.

How can I use "an important backbone" in a sentence?

You can use "an important backbone" to describe a vital component. For example: "Endocrine therapy is "an important backbone" upon which targeted therapy combinations will be built."

What are some alternatives to "an important backbone"?

Some alternatives to "an important backbone" include "a crucial foundation", "a key support system", or "an essential element". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a vital backbone" or "an important backbone"?

Both "a vital backbone" and "an important backbone" are acceptable, but "vital" suggests something is absolutely necessary for survival or proper functioning, while "important" indicates significant value or consequence. Choose the term that best reflects the degree of necessity.