at the foundational level

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the foundational level" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the basic or underlying aspects of a concept, idea, or system. Example: "At the foundational level, understanding the principles of mathematics is essential for advanced studies in engineering."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The texts do not provide enough detail about "relation ranking" for us to determine beyond a doubt that later Mohist ethics is consequentialist at the foundational level.

SEP

If we can be aware of similar relations, at the foundational level, between some propositions and facts with which we are acquainted, this might significantly extend the sorts of foundational beliefs satisfying strong internalist requirements.

SEP

However, it is not entirely clear that a view like Griffin's is genuinely monist at the foundational level: the question arises, what is constraining the desires that qualify as value conferring?

SEP

At the foundational level, there is no competition between the member states and the European level; the basic unit for which both levels can claim legitimacy is the individual, her dignity and autonomy.

European Journal of Futures Research

It's a book that can help people break down the "science" behind foods you'd normally just buy, and get creative in the kitchen at the foundational level.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

For example, as I prepare I break down a new dance routine, I focus on the foundational level first -- working from the ground then slowly moving up.

Huffington Post

That means starting system design at the foundational layer — APIs.

TechCrunch

"At a foundational level, procrastination is caused because the person is in a disillusioned, unfocused, zombified, trance-state.

Huffington Post

At a foundational level, profits are an important instrument that afford us the freedom to create by covering our survival needs.

Huffington Post

It really makes you wonder whether, at some foundational level, Google lacks trust in both what AI technology can do and in its own creative abilities to breath new life into these emergent synthetic experiences.

TechCrunch

But times are changing at a foundational level".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the foundational level" when you want to emphasize the basic, underlying principles or components of a system, idea, or skill. It's suitable when discussing the essential elements upon which something is built.

Common error

Avoid using "at the foundational level" when simpler terms like "basic" or "fundamental" suffice. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound pretentious and less clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the foundational level" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the level or aspect being considered. It indicates a focus on the basic or underlying elements of something, as supported by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the foundational level" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to emphasize the basic or underlying principles of a concept or system. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While considered rare in frequency, it appears most commonly in science and news & media contexts. When writing, it's best to use this phrase when highlighting essential components and avoid overuse to maintain clarity. Alternatives include "at the fundamental level" and "on a basic level", offering similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the fundamental level

Replaces "foundational" with "fundamental", emphasizing the essential nature.

at the base level

Uses "base" to indicate the starting point or foundation.

on a basic level

Uses "on" instead of "at" and emphasizes the simplicity of the level.

at the elementary level

Emphasizes the simplicity and beginning stage of understanding.

at the ground level

Focuses on the practical, real-world basis.

in essence

Captures the core meaning or most important aspect.

at its core

Highlights the central or most important element.

fundamentally

Expresses the idea in a more concise, adverbial form.

at the rudimentary level

Highlights the initial and underdeveloped nature of the understanding.

at the conceptual level

Focuses on the theoretical or abstract basis.

FAQs

How can I use "at the foundational level" in a sentence?

You can use "at the foundational level" to describe the basic principles or components of a system. For example: "At the foundational level, mathematics is essential for understanding physics."

What phrases are similar to "at the foundational level"?

Similar phrases include "at the basic level", "on a fundamental level", and "in essence".

Is "at the foundational level" formal or informal?

"At the foundational level" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. Simpler alternatives might be preferred in very informal contexts.

What's the difference between "at the foundational level" and "at the fundamental level"?

While very similar, "at the foundational level" emphasizes the idea of a base or groundwork, whereas "at the fundamental level" highlights the essential nature of something. They are often interchangeable but the subtle distinction can be important depending on the context.