are foundational for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are foundational for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something serves as a basis or essential support for another concept, idea, or structure. Example: "The principles of mathematics are foundational for understanding advanced scientific theories."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Thus the Bloomsbury set evinced "the very English idea that aesthetic preferences are foundational for political and (especially) moral views".

The Guardian - Books

These issues of trust, conflict resolution, and co-ownership are foundational for how a team gets work done.

Harvard Business Review

Since these issues are foundational for the Western philosophical tradition, the course may also serve as an introduction to philosophical thinking generally.

University of California, Berkeley

"As young children code with ScratchJr, they develop design and problem-solving skills that are foundational for later academic success," said Marina Umaschi Bers, professor in the Eliot-Pearson DeparTufts of Child Study and Human directorent at Tufts, and directof of the Tufts Development Technologiess research group, which co-developed ScratchJr.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"For 138 years, the Press has been publishing works that are foundational for scholars.

Johns Hopkins University

It makes sense that an understanding of the value of student ideas would come before an understanding of constructing knowledge and formative assessment since student ideas are foundational for both of these concepts.

International Journal of STEM Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"That conversation really was foundational for us," Eddings said.

The New Yorker

This course is foundational for students interested in higher education.

Stanford University

Most importantly, a robust ERM program is foundational for risk management, litigation prevention and loss mitigation.

Harvard University

It had a sort of atmosphere around it which was foundational for something new.

Cornell University

This course is foundational for students interested in PK-12 education.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are foundational for", ensure that the relationship between the foundational element and what it supports is clear and logical. Be specific about how the former enables or supports the latter.

Common error

Avoid using "are foundational for" when the relationship is merely contributory rather than essential. Overstating the foundational nature can weaken your argument if the connection is not strong.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are foundational for" functions as a linking phrase, connecting a subject (usually plural) to its essential basis or underlying support. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse fields, highlighting its role in establishing fundamental relationships.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

40%

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are foundational for" is a grammatically sound phrase used to highlight the fundamental nature of certain elements. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase is most commonly found in academic, scientific and news contexts. While alternatives like "are essential for" or "are fundamental to" exist, "are foundational for" effectively conveys the idea of something serving as a crucial base. When using this phrase, clarity and accuracy are key to avoid overstating the foundational relationship. The source analysis reveals the common contexts and authoritative sources that frequently employ the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are fundamental to

Replaces 'foundational' with 'fundamental', emphasizing the essential nature of something.

are essential for

Uses 'essential' to highlight the necessity of something, similar to being foundational.

are critical for

Emphasizes the importance of something, akin to its role as a foundation.

are vital to

Indicates that something is crucial and necessary, like a foundation.

are the basis for

Highlights that something serves as the underlying support or structure.

are the groundwork for

Emphasizes that something establishes the primary work, as on a building site, for a subsequent operation

are the underpinnings of

Implies that something provides the support or justification for something else.

are key to

Highlights that something is a crucial element for achieving a particular outcome.

are integral to

Indicates that something forms an essential part of something else.

are indispensable for

Highlights that something is entirely necessary and cannot be done without.

FAQs

How can I use "are foundational for" in a sentence?

Use "are foundational for" to indicate that certain elements form the basis or bedrock for something else. For example, "Strong reading skills are foundational for academic success."

What are some alternatives to "are foundational for"?

You can use alternatives like "are essential for", "are fundamental to", or "are the basis for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are foundational for" or "is foundational for"?

"Are foundational for" is used with plural subjects, while "is foundational for" is used with singular subjects. For example, "These principles are foundational for our approach", but "This principle is foundational for our approach."

What's the difference between "are foundational for" and "are important for"?

"Are foundational for" implies a necessary and fundamental basis, while "are important for" simply indicates significance or value. Foundational elements are essential prerequisites; important elements are helpful but not necessarily required.