an underlying foundation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an underlying foundation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the basic principles or essential elements that support a concept, idea, or structure. Example: "The research provided an underlying foundation for the new theory, allowing it to gain acceptance in the scientific community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Mr. Page strongly defended CityTime, saying that "the implementation process has been going actually extremely well" and that the system would provide "major value to all of us as an underlying foundation to managing this place efficiently".

The New York Times

Regardless, music labels in particular were not pleased with how SeeqPod and many of the web services using its technology as an underlying foundation were discovering and streaming songs on the net.

TechCrunch

The mantra of "too big to fail" was the protection the big banks were all hoping to fall back on, and this call was certainly an underlying foundation of the bailout and TARP initiative in the US.

Huffington Post

U.K. property funds also suffer from a liquidity mismatch, offering daily liquidity on an underlying foundation of illiquid assets such as commercial real estate, which can take months to sell.

Huffington Post

Although QI is an underlying foundation for public health agency accreditation, accreditation processes do tend to focus on documentation of specific use of QI methods, However, this is one of several recently emerging attempts to assess changes in QI culture within local public health agencies.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Decision support is only as good as its underlying foundation, and an understanding of how to frame decision-making, regardless of how or whether DS tools are used, is a useful starting foundation.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

The SSMV curriculum can best be described as "dynamic," with a basic framework that provides the underlying foundation for each year of the program.

CBE Life Sciences Education

At the same time they show the beneficial effect of soil inhomogeneity and that wave propagation in the underlying foundation layer may have an effect that cannot be simply accounted for with an appropriate rocking spring at the base.

Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

Such children may benefit by a variety of interventions, besides strengthening the underlying foundation that allows this bilateral coordination and balance skill to develop.

The New York Times

The underlying foundation strata are assumed to be a semi-infinite soil formation.

International Journal of Geo-Engineering

Value experiences are not only a means of recognizing a dispositional value property; they are also a means of recognizing the actual value property that is the underlying foundation or basis of the disposition.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an underlying foundation", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being supported or based upon this foundation.

Common error

Avoid using "an underlying foundation" when referring to superficial or easily changeable aspects; reserve it for core, fundamental principles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an underlying foundation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies the essential basis or support upon which something is built. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an underlying foundation" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote the essential basis or support of something. While relatively rare in occurrence, as evidenced by the limited examples provided by Ludwig AI, the phrase finds its utility across diverse fields, including news, science, and formal business contexts. Related phrases such as "a fundamental basis" and "a core framework" offer alternative ways to convey the same meaning. When using "an underlying foundation", ensure it clearly defines the core element being discussed and avoid confusing it with superficial details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental basis

Focuses on the base or groundwork of something.

a core framework

Emphasizes the structural aspect and organization.

an essential groundwork

Highlights the necessary preparatory work.

a basic underpinning

Stresses the support from below.

a primary support

Highlights providing assistance and help.

a fundamental element

Focuses on being part of something more complex.

a bedrock principle

Emphasizes the immovability and reliability of the base.

the keystone

Highlights being the central part of an entity.

a supporting structure

Focuses on structural element.

the root cause

Indicates origin or the essential reason of something.

FAQs

How can I use "an underlying foundation" in a sentence?

Use "an underlying foundation" to describe the core principles or essential base upon which something is built or depends. For example, "Trust is an underlying foundation for any successful relationship."

What can I say instead of "an underlying foundation"?

You can use alternatives like "a fundamental basis", "a core framework", or "a basic underpinning" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "underlying foundation" redundant?

While "foundation" inherently implies something underlying, using "an underlying foundation" can emphasize the deeply rooted and essential nature of the base being described.

What is the difference between "an underlying foundation" and "an overt principle"?

"An underlying foundation" refers to a fundamental support that might not be immediately apparent, while "an overt principle" is a clearly stated and openly acknowledged rule or belief.