be the foundation of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be the foundation of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something serves as a fundamental basis or support for something else. Example: "Trust and communication must be the foundation of any successful relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They will be the foundation of our look".

The New York Times - Style

Surely, that has to be the foundation of integrity.

The Guardian

"MAP will be the foundation of all cosmology in the next five years," he said.

The New York Times

It could still be the foundation of the case against British and American belligerence.

The Guardian

The substance of this interview is likely to be the foundation of prosecutors' circumstantial case.

The New York Times

If he runs for citywide office, Bushwick's renaissance will be the foundation of his candidacy.

The New York Times

Ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and frequent adjustments should also be the foundation of any diaspora institution.

The Guardian

But then negation, as later philosophers would argue, might itself be the foundation of freedom.

The New York Times

This will be the foundation of the new economy of the new century".

The Guardian

Flawed though they are, Obamacare's exchanges could be the foundation of a new model.

The Economist

Yet he acknowledged that religious belief can "be the foundation of all prejudice and ultimately war".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, consider using synonyms like "constitute the basis of" or "form the groundwork for" to provide a nuanced meaning to your sentence and better fit the context.

Common error

Avoid using "be the foundation of" when describing something that is merely a contributing factor. Reserve it for elements that are truly essential and irreplaceable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be the foundation of" functions as a linking verb phrase, connecting a subject to a noun phrase that describes its essential role or characteristic. Ludwig AI validates its proper grammatical use and shows abundant examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be the foundation of" is a versatile and frequently used expression to convey that something serves as an essential basis or groundwork. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While alternatives such as "constitute the basis of" or "form the groundwork for" can provide slightly different nuances, it's crucial to ensure that the stated relationship between the foundation and what it supports is clear to avoid ambiguity. Use the phrase judiciously, reserving it for truly essential elements, and be aware of the importance you're conveying.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constitute the basis of

Changes the structure to emphasize the components that make up the foundation.

form the groundwork for

Focuses on the preparatory aspect of establishing a foundation.

underlie the structure of

Emphasizes the hidden support beneath a visible structure.

serve as the cornerstone of

Highlights the importance and indispensability of the foundational element.

act as the bedrock of

Implies a solid, stable, and unshakeable foundation.

be the underpinning of

Focuses on the supportive framework from below.

establish the basis for

Highlights the act of creating a foundation.

provide the infrastructure for

Implies a more complex and organized support system.

offer a stable platform for

Focuses on the enabling aspect of a foundation, allowing for further development.

furnish the support for

Emphasizes the role of providing necessary assistance and stability.

FAQs

How can I use "be the foundation of" in a sentence?

Use "be the foundation of" to indicate that something serves as the essential groundwork or basis for something else. For example, "Trust must "be the foundation of" any successful relationship".

What are some alternatives to "be the foundation of"?

You can use alternatives such as "constitute the basis of", "form the groundwork for", or "serve as the cornerstone of" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is the foundation to" instead of "be the foundation of"?

While the phrases are similar, ""be the foundation of"" is more commonly accepted and grammatically standard. "Is the foundation to" might sound awkward or incomplete to some readers.

What is the difference between "be the foundation of" and "be based on"?

"Be the foundation of" implies a more active and essential role, while "be based on" simply means something relies on something else for its existence or structure. The former suggests that without the foundation, the supported element could not exist or function properly.