at the foundation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the foundation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the underlying basis or core principles of something, often in discussions about ideas, beliefs, or structures. Example: "Trust is at the foundation of any successful relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, he says, "I love the work at the foundation".

The Economist

At the foundation, we keep our eye on the future.

The New York Times

His isn't the only new installation at the foundation.

The New York Times

And, at the foundation of both, is driving out inequality.

The Guardian

His role at the foundation, too, has been an issue.

The New York Times

Most of those turtles arrived at the foundation already dead.

The New York Times

Of course, memory is at the foundation of humanity.

The Guardian - Tech

Morgan situates this influence at the foundation of his development.

The Guardian - Books

Alexander Holt is an education policy analyst at the foundation.

The Washington Post

Mandatory disclosure sits at the foundation of modern securities regulation.

Columbia University

The boundary conditions consist of simple supports at the foundation and ground floor levels.

Engineering Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the foundation" to emphasize the fundamental principles or core elements upon which something is built. For example, "Honesty is at the foundation of any successful relationship."

Common error

Avoid using "at the foundation" in sentences where a simpler word like "basis" or "core" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the foundation" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier. It modifies verbs or clauses to specify where the essential basis or core principle of something lies. Ludwig AI shows this phrase commonly used to describe underlying concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

22%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the foundation" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to emphasize the fundamental basis or core principles of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across various contexts, especially in news, science, and academic writing. While “at the foundation” is common, writers should avoid overuse in favor of simpler alternatives like "at the base" or "at the core" when appropriate. The phrase's frequent occurrence in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability in formal and neutral registers. Consider the nuances between "at", "on", and "in" when using "foundation" to convey the most accurate relationship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the base

Replaces "foundation" with "base", emphasizing the supporting structure.

at the core

Suggests the most important or basic part.

at the heart

Uses a more figurative term, "heart", to represent the core or essence.

at the root

Implies the origin or source of something.

fundamental to

Shifts to an adjective phrase highlighting importance instead of location.

essential to

Highlights the necessity of something, similar to being foundational.

integral to

Indicates something is an essential part.

underlying

Emphasizes the fundamental nature but omits the "at" preposition and changes sentence structure.

basic to

Shortens the phrase to emphasize simplicity and fundamentality.

built upon

Emphasizes the structure is constructed on the foundation.

FAQs

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

Use "at the foundation" to indicate the underlying principle or core element of something. For example, "Mutual respect is at the foundation of their partnership."

What phrases are similar to "at the foundation"?

You can use alternatives such as "at the base", "at the core", or "fundamental to" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "at the foundation" or "on the foundation"?

"At the foundation" is generally used to describe abstract concepts or principles, whereas "on the foundation" typically refers to physical structures. Therefore, "at the foundation" is usually the preferred choice.

What is the difference between "at the foundation" and "in the foundation"?

"At the foundation" emphasizes a conceptual or abstract relationship, while "in the foundation" suggests a physical location or inclusion. The choice depends on whether you're discussing principles or physical elements.