at its basis

USAGE SUMMARY

"at its basis" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to something's most important or fundamental elements. For example, "At its basis, this theory is rooted in physics."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Schlegel himself describes his philosophical approach as resembling both a circle and epic poetry because it must forever "begin in the middle": "Philosophy must have at its basis not only an alternating proof [Wechselbeweis] but also an alternating concept [Wechselbegriff].

SEP

But Gallace seems less to revive that impulse than to arrive at its basis, in a view of modern art that values the visual poetics of life observed in the living of it.

The New Yorker

Now consider why this similarity exists: at its basis, flexibility is fundamentally about having control over the conditions of one's work and having the trust and respect of one's manager and employer.

Harvard Business Review

In a rare morning news conference, he repeated that he had done nothing wrong and that at its basis, the problem reflected a breakdown of trust and communication he intended to learn from.

The New York Times

At its basis is the claim that not only the social institution of science or the impact of technological change on society is open to social analysis but also the very content of science and engineering, i.e., scientific facts and technological objects.

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences

This would lead to a spontaneous entrepreneurial process that has at its basis the reproduction of the parent company's cognitive map.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It is so much more profound than that, but at its very basis, it has the ability to give these individuals the right of ownership to property.

Forbes

But even then he finds that the process through which the government arrived at its legal basis "was not satisfactory".

The Guardian - Opinion

Ward attacks Leibniz's reasoning at its very basis.

SEP

"The legend of the Native American 'skin walker' — an evil witch or wizard that can transform into an animal at will — has its basis in fact.

The Washington Post

If a bond is bought at any amount above par, its basis is reduced from acquisition date to maturity via a straight-line calculation.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at its basis" to clearly identify the fundamental principles or core components of a concept, argument, or system. This helps in establishing a strong foundation for your reasoning and makes it easier for the reader to grasp the central idea.

Common error

Avoid using "at its basis" when the context already clearly implies a fundamental aspect. For example, instead of saying "At its basis, the argument relies on evidence," consider a more concise phrasing like "The argument relies on evidence" if the fundamental nature is already apparent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at its basis" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause, specifying the fundamental aspect or underlying principle of something. Ludwig AI provides examples that showcase its role in identifying core concepts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at its basis" is a prepositional phrase used to highlight the core principles or fundamental aspects of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for formal and neutral contexts, primarily in science, news, and business. While effective for clarity, it's important to avoid redundancy and consider alternatives like "fundamentally" or "at its core" for more concise phrasing. This ensures the phrase adds value without being unnecessarily verbose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at its foundation

Very similar to "at its basis", also referring to the fundamental principles or ideas.

at its core

Focuses on the most essential and intrinsic part of something, emphasizing the central element.

essentially

Indicates the fundamental nature of something, simplifying it to its most basic form.

in essence

Highlights the most important aspect or quality of something, simplifying it to its basic form.

at its heart

Emphasizes the central and emotional core of a matter, often used for more abstract concepts.

fundamentally

Single-word alternative that directly expresses the core nature or foundation of something.

at the root of

Indicates the underlying cause or origin of something, suggesting a deeper analysis.

at the foundation of

Highlights the role of something as the base upon which everything else is built.

primarily

Highlights the main and most important factor, similar to "at its basis" but more direct.

in its simplest form

Expresses the most unadorned or basic version of something, making it easily understandable.

FAQs

What does "at its basis" mean?

The phrase "at its basis" refers to the most fundamental or essential part of something. It highlights the core principles, ideas, or components that something is built upon.

How can I use "at its basis" in a sentence?

You can use "at its basis" to introduce the underlying principles of a concept. For instance, "At its basis, the scientific method relies on empirical evidence."

What are some alternatives to "at its basis"?

Alternatives to "at its basis" include "fundamentally", "at its core", or "essentially". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "at its basis" and "at its foundation"?

While similar, "at its basis" often refers to the core concept, while "at its foundation" emphasizes the structure or system upon which something is built. They can often be used interchangeably, but "at its foundation" implies more of a structural support.