as the foundation

USAGE SUMMARY

'as the foundation' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You may use it to describe the basis or source of something, like in the following example: The company's success relies heavily on their commitment to customer service, as the foundation of their operations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fiscal discipline as the foundation".

The New York Times

"It serves as the foundation of many Americans' financial security".

The New York Times

As the foundation for global trade, it is fundamentally flawed.

Harvard Business Review

This applied internship serves as the foundation for students' theses.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Fish swimming mechanism is reviewed as the foundation of the robot fish.

Sensors and Actuators A: Physical

"This book could be read as the foundation for a post-avant-garde aesthetics".

The New York Times - Books

But as the foundation for locking someone up for life, it's ludicrous.

The New York Times - Books

They embraced Amar'e Stoudemire as the foundation of a promising new lineup in 2010.

The New York Times - Sports

M.I.T said it would rely on its existing online initiative MITx as the foundation for edX.

The New York Times

A photo-sharing tool they had built into the game's prototype served as the foundation.

The New York Times - Tech

I have used that fact as the foundation for my replies.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic and formal writing, using "as the foundation" can add a sense of importance and necessity to the element being described.

Common error

Avoid using "as the foundation" in very simple sentences where 'because' or 'since' would suffice. It can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as the foundation" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating that something serves as the fundamental element or starting point. As confirmed by Ludwig, this is a valid and useful construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as the foundation" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to emphasize the fundamental role of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across varied contexts, including science, news, and academia. While it's versatile, it's best used when highlighting the crucial and foundational nature of a specific element. When used in simple sentences, it can be replaced by less complex terms like 'because' or 'since'. Alternatives include "serving as the cornerstone" and "forming the basis", each with subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serving as the cornerstone

Focuses on the importance and indispensability of the role.

acting as the base

Emphasizes the support function, highlighting something foundational.

functioning as the bedrock

Underscores the reliability and stability of the foundational aspect.

constituting the groundwork

Implies preparation and the initial steps of building something.

forming the basis

Highlights the act of establishing a starting point or rationale.

providing the underpinnings

Indicates a less visible but vital support structure.

laying the substructure

Emphasizes construction and the underlying framework.

establishing the infrastructure

Suggests a more complex, organized system serving as a base.

building the framework

Focuses on the creation of an organized supporting structure.

providing the fundamentals

Emphasizes essential and basic aspects.

FAQs

How can I use "as the foundation" in a sentence?

You can use "as the foundation" to indicate the basis or starting point of something, for example: 'Mutual respect serves "as the foundation" of strong relationships'.

What are some alternatives to "as the foundation"?

Alternatives include "serving as the cornerstone", "acting as the base", or "forming the basis", each with slightly different connotations.

Is it better to use "as the basis" or "as the foundation"?

"As the basis" and "as the foundation" are quite similar. "As the foundation" implies a more structural, fundamental role, whereas "as the basis" suggests a more conceptual starting point.

Can "as the foundation" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

While "as the foundation" is more common in formal writing, it can be used in informal contexts if you aim to emphasize the fundamental nature of something. However, simpler language might be preferable.