at its cornerstone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at its cornerstone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the fundamental or essential aspect of something, often in discussions about principles, values, or foundational elements. Example: "The commitment to sustainability is at its cornerstone in our company's mission statement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Dallas-based company plans to add significantly to its portfolio this year while continuing to serve up consistently good sales at its cornerstone Chili's locations.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

McDowell, from Northern Ireland, said the European Tour, which has spread to the Middle East, South Africa and Asia, should emulate the California and Florida swings on the PGA Tour and bundle big-purse competitions at high-end courses around its cornerstone events, the BMW PGA Championship and the British Open.

The New York Times - Sports

What psychologists would call a dependency trap, altogether a very teenage mad-at-your-dad cornerstone on which to found a religion.

Vice

Much of Lavinia's pile ended up at Amherst College, the cornerstone of its special collections; Susan Dickinson's batch went to Harvard, along with several household treasures that had been preserved at the Evergreens.

The New Yorker

Mrs. Hollinger, 32, is a special education teacher at Cornerstone at Pedregal Elementary School in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.

The New York Times

WHILE the president and Congress were struggling to reach a consensus on what to do about illegal immigration, the ensemble at Los Angeles' Cornerstone Theater had already agreed to address the issue with its next play, "Los Illegals," written by the theater's new artistic director, Michael John Garces.

Los Angeles Times

Customers at Cornerstone and at Wyatt Childs, a new store in Atlanta, snap up anything with a pedigree or at least a good tale.

The New York Times

Like the speakers at Wild Goose, the music at Cornerstone can also feel a bit unhinged.

Huffington Post

But we're not going to poke our noses into your de mocratic system because that's up to the American people". Reiterating his view that Russia must be able to dictate its own pace of democratic development, Mr Putin took a broad swipe at the cornerstone of Mr Bush's foreign policy: "Democracy cannot be exported to some other place.

The Guardian

Accountability is at the cornerstone of Apple's management.

The Guardian - Tech

Third, protection is at the cornerstone of humanitarian action.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you use "at its cornerstone," ensure that the sentence clearly establishes what exactly is being supported or built upon that cornerstone.

Common error

Avoid using "at its cornerstone" when referring to something trivial or non-essential. The phrase implies a fundamental and critical component, so overuse can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at its cornerstone" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or clause. Ludwig examples show it emphasizes the fundamental and essential nature of something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at its cornerstone" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to emphasize the foundational importance of an element or principle. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. Alternatives like "at its foundation" or "at its heart" offer similar meanings with slight variations in nuance. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that you are referring to something genuinely essential and not diluting its impact through overuse. It is a good practice to consider which synonym best captures the essence of what is being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at its foundation

Focuses on the idea of building upon a base, emphasizing structural support.

at its base

Highlights the underlying level or starting point, suggesting a simpler origin.

at its heart

Emphasizes the emotional or central importance of the concept.

at its core

Stresses the innermost and most essential part.

at its essence

Draws attention to the intrinsic nature or defining quality.

at its root

Highlights the origin or cause from which something develops.

fundamentally

An adverb that directly describes the fundamental nature of something.

at its bedrock

Emphasizes the solid and unshakeable foundation of something.

in principle

Focuses on the basic idea or theory behind something.

at its nucleus

Highlights the central and most important part, similar to a core.

FAQs

What does "at its cornerstone" mean?

The phrase "at its cornerstone" signifies that something is a fundamental or essential part of a larger structure, system, or idea. It highlights the critical importance of that element.

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

You can use "at its cornerstone" to emphasize the foundational nature of something. For example: "Integrity is "at its cornerstone" of our business ethics."

What are some alternatives to "at its cornerstone"?

Alternatives include phrases like "at its foundation", "at its base", or "at its heart". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While similar, "at its cornerstone" emphasizes the critical, load-bearing role, like the first stone laid in a building. "At its foundation" is more general, referring to the entire base upon which something is built.