are the cornerstone

USAGE SUMMARY

"are the cornerstone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence to describe something that is important or essential, for example: "Knowledge and experience are the cornerstone of success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But oysters are the cornerstone.

The New York Times - Travel

Universities are the cornerstone of free thought.

Independent

Direct-care staff members are the cornerstone of quality.

The New York Times

1) Incentives are the cornerstone of modern life.

The Guardian

"Isolated gene patents are the cornerstone of the biotechnology industry".

The New York Times

But memory chips are the cornerstone of semiconductor technology.

Harvard Business Review

These principles are the cornerstone of educational integrity at Columbia.

Columbia University

Glucocorticosteroids are the cornerstone of treatment of giant cell arteritis.

Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology

β-Lactam antibiotics are the cornerstone of our antibiotic armamentarium.

Current Opinion in Microbiology

Systematic reviews (SRs) are the cornerstone of evidence-based medicine.

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

Corticosteroids are the cornerstone of the treatment of systemic vasculitides.

Revue du Rhumatisme Monographies

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something that's fundamental to a field or practice, this phrase highlights its significance and indispensability.

Common error

Avoid using "are the cornerstone" for aspects that are merely important but not truly foundational. This diminishes the impact of the phrase and can mislead your audience about the relative importance of the element you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are the cornerstone" functions as a predicative expression, attributing a fundamental or essential quality to the subject. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in highlighting the core components of various systems and concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are the cornerstone" is a highly effective way to emphasize the fundamental importance of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and widely used across various domains, particularly in science, news, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject truly plays a foundational role. Related phrases such as "are the foundation" or "are essential elements" can serve as alternatives to maintain variety in your writing. The most common sources employing this phrase are authoritative news outlets and academic publications, solidifying its usage in more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are the foundation

Emphasizes the supporting role, like a base upon which something is built.

are the basis

Highlights the role as the underlying reason or principle.

are essential elements

Focuses on the necessity and integral nature of the components.

are key components

Stresses the significance of parts within a larger system.

are fundamental aspects

Highlights the basic and crucial nature of the elements.

are vital parts

Focuses on the life-sustaining importance of the elements.

are integral to

Highlights the necessary and inherent connection to something else.

are central to

Indicates a primary or core importance.

are the linchpin

Indicates the element that holds other parts together, functionally.

are the key

Signifies being the critical factor for success or understanding.

FAQs

What does it mean to say that something "are the cornerstone"?

Saying that something "are the cornerstone" means that they are the essential, fundamental, or most important part of something else, upon which everything else depends or is built.

How can I use "are the cornerstone" in a sentence?

You can use "are the cornerstone" to emphasize the importance of certain elements. For example, "Strong ethics "are the foundation" of a successful business."

What can I say instead of "are the cornerstone"?

You can use alternatives like ""are the foundation"", "are essential elements", or "are key components" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "is the cornerstone" or "are the cornerstone"?

The correct form depends on whether the subject is singular or plural. Use "is the cornerstone" for singular subjects (e.g., "Honesty is the cornerstone") and "are the cornerstone" for plural subjects (e.g., "Ethics are the cornerstone").