at its core

USAGE SUMMARY

"at its core" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that is essential to something. For example, "Entrepreneurship is about taking risks, but at its core, it is still about problem solving."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Though, at its core, it usually is".

The New York Times

At its core it is an empowering thing.

Huffington Post

And it is, at its core, something untellable and irreducible.

The New York Times - Arts

It is antiwar at its core.

The New Yorker

It is capitalism at its core.

Forbes

It's also sensational, unproven and, at its core, untrue.

Huffington Post

At its core was GE Capital.

The Economist

The country has soccer at its core.

The New York Times - Sports

What lies at its core?

The Guardian - Books

But sentimentality is at its core.

The Guardian - Film

At its core "Jericho" is a thriller.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at its core" to highlight the most fundamental or essential aspect of a concept, argument, or entity to add clarity and focus to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "at its core" when the essential nature of the subject is already evident. Redundant use can weaken your writing and make it seem less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at its core" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause, serving to identify and emphasize the fundamental or most essential aspect of something. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at its core" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to emphasize the most fundamental aspect of something. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in News & Media. Alternatives like "in essence" or "fundamentally" can be used for similar emphasis. When using "at its core", ensure that it highlights the essential nature without redundancy, enhancing clarity and focus in your writing. With a high source quality score and expert rating, this phrase remains a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in essence

This alternative focuses on the fundamental nature of something, simplifying the core concept.

fundamentally

Highlights the basic and crucial aspect, emphasizing the underlying foundation.

at bottom

This phrase points to the ultimate reason or cause behind something.

in its simplest form

This alternative reduces the concept to its most basic, uncomplicated state.

at the heart of it

Emphasizes the central or most important element of something.

in reality

Focuses on the true and underlying nature of a situation, often contrasting with appearances.

basically

Similar to fundamentally, but with a more casual tone, highlighting the core elements.

when you get down to it

Points to the most important facts after stripping away the unnecessary details.

stripping away the details

This alternative emphasizes removing extraneous information to reveal the essence.

in its true nature

Focuses on the authentic and inherent qualities of something, revealing its real form.

FAQs

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

Use "at its core" to emphasize the most fundamental aspect of something. For example, "At its core, the issue is about fairness."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "at its core"?

Similar phrases include /s/in+essence, /s/fundamentally, or /s/at+bottom. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is there a more formal alternative to "at its core"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "in essence" or "fundamentally". These alternatives convey the same meaning but may be more appropriate for academic or professional writing.

What is the difference between "at its core" and "in its true nature"?

"At its core" highlights the essential or most important aspect, while "in its true nature" emphasizes the inherent qualities or real form. They are similar but focus on slightly different aspects.