at its heart

USAGE SUMMARY

"at its heart" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express the most essential aspect of something. For example, "The novel is, at its heart, a story of courage and perseverance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

At its heart, it is a nihilistic, psychological mystery.

The New York Times

At its heart it communicates in an international language.

The New York Times

"At its heart it is really about empathy.

The Guardian - Books

Yet at its heart, it is so simple.

The Guardian - Opinion

At its heart, it is about solidarity and social justice.

Huffington Post

It was, at its heart, ugly playground comedy.

Vice

Whatever the mission is, it has news at its heart".

Independent

It still has people at its heart".

TechCrunch

"At its heart, that's what it is.

Huffington Post

It has a utopian idea at its heart.

The Guardian - Arts

It needs a simple idea at its heart.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at its heart", ensure that the subsequent description genuinely reflects the core element and isn't a tangential or secondary aspect.

Common error

Avoid using "at its heart" when you're not truly addressing the central or most fundamental aspect of the subject. Ensure that what follows is indeed the defining characteristic, not a secondary detail.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at its heart" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause, specifying the core or most essential aspect. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at its heart" serves as a powerful tool for identifying and highlighting the core essence of a subject. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness, and its frequent usage across news and media demonstrates its versatility. When writing, remember to use "at its heart" to spotlight the most fundamental element and avoid misidentifying secondary details as the core. Alternative phrases, such as "in essence" and "at its core", offer nuanced ways to convey a similar meaning. By using this phrase judiciously, you can ensure clarity and emphasis in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at its core

Emphasizes the central and most important part.

in essence

Focuses on the fundamental nature of something, similar to identifying the core element.

essentially

Indicates what something is primarily or fundamentally.

fundamentally

Highlights the basic or essential character of something.

the crux of the matter

Pinpoints the decisive or critical point of an issue.

the key aspect

Emphasizes the most important feature or element.

at the root of

Directs attention to the underlying cause or origin.

at the base of

Similar to 'at the root of', suggesting the foundational element.

in its simplest form

Highlights the basic structure or concept, reducing it to its most understandable elements.

in reality

Highlights the true or fundamental nature of something, contrasting with superficial appearances.

FAQs

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

Use "at its heart" to introduce the most fundamental or essential element of something. For example, "At its heart, the movie is a love story."

What phrases are similar to "at its heart"?

Alternatives include "in essence", "fundamentally", or "at its core". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.

Is "at its heart" formal or informal?

"At its heart" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "at its heart" and "in its entirety"?

"At its heart" refers to the most essential aspect of something, while "in its entirety" refers to the whole or complete thing. They have different meanings and are not interchangeable.