are fundamental

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are fundamental" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is essential or foundational to a particular subject or concept. Example: "These principles are fundamental to understanding the theory of evolution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So uniforms are fundamental".

The Guardian

Indeed, they are fundamental.

The Guardian

"His are fundamental beliefs.

The New York Times

Strong professions are fundamental to economic development.

Independent

There are fundamental differences between the two.

The New York Times

They are fundamental and inalienable.

The New York Times

"But we are fundamental physicists".

The New York Times - Science

"These are fundamental values," he said.

The New Yorker

Cattle are fundamental to Dinka culture.

The New York Times

"Sports are fundamental here," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Natural qualities are fundamental to leadership.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are fundamental" when emphasizing the foundational or essential nature of something. Ensure the context clearly establishes what builds upon this foundation.

Common error

Avoid using "are fundamental" in contexts where simpler terms like "are important" or "are necessary" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are fundamental" functions as a predicate adjective, linking a plural subject to a description of its essential nature. It emphasizes that the subject is a necessary foundation or core component. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English to denote essential or foundational elements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are fundamental" is a versatile and widely used expression to indicate that certain elements are essential or foundational. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, suggesting its suitability for both journalistic and academic writing. While highly useful, it's important to avoid overusing it in simplistic situations where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. When you want to highlight the absolute necessity of something as a base or cornerstone, "are fundamental" is the phrase to use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are foundational

Emphasizes the role as a base upon which other things are built.

are essential

Emphasizes necessity but might not always imply a foundational role.

are crucial

Highlights the importance for a specific outcome.

are vital

Stresses the importance for survival or proper functioning.

are indispensable

Highlights that something is absolutely necessary or essential.

are key

Highlights the importance as a means to achieve something.

are paramount

Indicates supreme importance, often in formal contexts.

are integral

Suggests being an essential part of a whole.

are basic

Indicates being at the simplest or initial level.

are elementary

Implies being in an initial stage of development or learning.

FAQs

How to use "are fundamental" in a sentence?

Use "are fundamental" to describe elements that serve as a necessary base or foundation for something else. For example, "Basic literacy skills "are fundamental" to academic success".

What can I say instead of "are fundamental"?

You can use alternatives like "are essential", "are crucial", or "are vital" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "are fundamental" or "is fundamental"?

"Are fundamental" is used when referring to plural subjects, while "is fundamental" is used with singular subjects. For example, "Honesty and integrity "are fundamental" values," but "Honesty is a fundamental value."

What's the difference between "are fundamental" and "are important"?

"Are fundamental" implies a foundational role, suggesting that other things build upon it. "Are important" simply means something has significance, but doesn't necessarily imply it is a base for something else. Something can be important without being foundational.