at their core

USAGE SUMMARY

"at their core" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to the inherent nature of something. For example, "Humans, at their core, are social creatures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Humans at their core are so rotten.

Independent

Who are these guys at their core?

The New York Times

And the Giants started at their core.

The New York Times - Sports

They are digital at their core.

The Guardian

They both have dark holes at their core.

The Guardian - Books

These structures sometimes have menace at their core.

The New York Times - Arts

Both have a public service mission at their core.

Independent

At their core, the inspections work similarly across the jurisdictions.

The New York Times

But at their core, PCRs are pretty simple machines.

The Guardian

But banking and finance remain a mess at their core.

The New York Times

Successful companies endure by maintaining simplicity at their core.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about complex systems or entities, use "at their core" to simplify explanations and make your text accessible to a broader audience. This phrase can help to distill intricate concepts down to their basic elements.

Common error

Avoid using "at their core" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive and uninspired. Strive to vary your language and use synonyms like "fundamentally", "essentially", or "at its heart" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at their core" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb, noun, or adjective to specify the most fundamental or essential aspect of something. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it introduces a key element or characteristic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at their core" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to emphasize the most fundamental aspect of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage across various contexts, notably in news media, academic writing, and business communications. The phrase serves to simplify complex topics, making them more accessible by focusing on their essential nature. To avoid redundancy, consider using alternatives like "essentially" or "fundamentally". While "at their core" is prevalent, especially in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, its overuse should be avoided for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in essence

Focuses on the most important element or quality of something, omitting less important details.

essentially

Indicates the basic nature or substance of something.

fundamentally

Highlights the basic or essential character of something.

at its heart

Emphasizes the central or most vital part of something.

in their true nature

Stresses the genuine or authentic quality of something.

at the root

Emphasizes the origin or source of something.

at bottom

Suggests the underlying truth or cause of something.

in its simplest form

Focuses on breaking down the matter in question to the bare bones.

intrinsically

Focuses on the inherent qualities or characteristics of something.

in reality

Highlights the true nature of something, often contrasting with appearance.

FAQs

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

You can use "at their core" to describe the fundamental or essential nature of something. For example, "These technologies, "at their core", make it easier to visualise and organise biological and chemical information."

What are some alternatives to "at their core"?

Some alternatives to "at their core" include "essentially", "fundamentally", or "at its heart". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "at its core" the same as "at their core"?

"At its core" refers to a singular entity's fundamental nature, while "at their core" refers to multiple entities or a plural subject. The choice depends on whether you are discussing one thing or several.

What does it mean to say something is "rotten at its core"?

To say something is "rotten at its core" means that its fundamental principles or values are corrupt or flawed. It suggests a deep-seated problem that cannot be easily fixed.