cornerstone upon which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cornerstone upon which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a fundamental principle or element that supports or underlies a larger concept or structure. Example: "Trust is the cornerstone upon which our relationship is built."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

My grandfather should have been the cornerstone upon which we built our American lives.

The New Yorker

His involvement, about which he boasted constantly in future years, was the cornerstone upon which he would build a remarkable political career, first as governor of South Carolina and then, for 24 years, as a United States senator.

The New York Times - Books

Although Allen has underplayed the comparison, his blue Jasmine clearly has her roots in the white woods of Tennessee Williams's antiheroine, providing a cornerstone upon which Blanchett builds another towering performance.

The Guardian - Film

"The North Dakota Human Life Amendment does not impose any criminal penalties, but it will act as a cornerstone upon which past and future pro-life legislation may be built," according to the Web site of supporters of the amendment.

The Washington Post

UNITED PALACE 4140 Broadway, at 175th St .(212-207-7171) — April 9: A good three decades after they fell apart in a haze of drug-fuelled chaos, the Stooges — the cornerstone upon which the church of punk rock was built — defied all expectations and re-formed in 2003.

The New Yorker

Earlier in the day, Biden told reporters in Tokyo that the US-Japanese security arrangement was "the cornerstone of security not merely in the Pacific basic but the cornerstone upon which our security is built for the next 20 years or more".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"You look at our problems," Schuerholz said, "and we have these two cornerstones upon which to remedy them.

The New York Times - Sports

Undermining the local support upon which groups depend, rather than focusing primarily on killing their leaders, should be a cornerstone of Washington's counterterrorism policies.

The New York Times

It was one of the Fuehrer's deepest disappointments -- and I must mention that here, for it is very important for the further course of events -- that this pact upon which he had placed such very great hopes and which he had regarded as the cornerstone of his foreign policy did not materialize in these years.

Yale University

Upon which they ceased firing.

Wikipedia

upon which to expand.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cornerstone upon which" to emphasize the fundamental and indispensable nature of something. For example, "Trust is the "cornerstone upon which" successful collaborations are built."

Common error

Avoid using "cornerstone upon which" when a simpler term like "basis" or "foundation" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or pompous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cornerstone upon which" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, typically emphasizing its role as a fundamental and supporting element. Ludwig's examples show it used in contexts ranging from political careers to ethical business practices.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cornerstone upon which" is a correct and usable phrase to describe a fundamental principle or element that supports a larger concept or structure. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples across various reputable sources. While alternatives like "foundation upon which" or "basis upon which" exist, "cornerstone upon which" specifically emphasizes the supportive role. It is most commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business writing, adding a touch of formality to the context. It's important to be mindful of the potential for overuse and choose the simplest appropriate term when clarity is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foundation upon which

Replaces "cornerstone" with "foundation", emphasizing the base or support.

basis upon which

Substitutes "cornerstone" with "basis", highlighting the underlying reason or justification.

groundwork upon which

Replaces "cornerstone" with "groundwork", stressing the preparatory or initial work.

bedrock upon which

Substitutes "cornerstone" with "bedrock", indicating a solid and unshakeable base.

pillar upon which

Replaces "cornerstone" with "pillar", emphasizing a strong and supporting element.

core upon which

Substitutes "cornerstone" with "core", highlighting the essential or central part.

key upon which

Replaces "cornerstone" with "key", emphasizing a critical or essential element.

element upon which

Substitutes "cornerstone" with "element", highlighting a constituent part.

linchpin upon which

Replaces "cornerstone" with "linchpin", emphasizing a crucial and connecting element.

underpinning upon which

Replaces "cornerstone" with "underpinning", emphasizing the support from below.

FAQs

What does "cornerstone upon which" mean?

The phrase "cornerstone upon which" describes a fundamental or essential element that supports or forms the basis of something larger or more complex. It emphasizes the importance of this element as the foundation for everything else.

How can I use "cornerstone upon which" in a sentence?

You can use "cornerstone upon which" to highlight the key principle or element that underlies a concept, project, or relationship. For example, "Integrity is the "cornerstone upon which" our company's reputation is built."

What are some alternatives to "cornerstone upon which"?

You can use alternatives like "foundation upon which", "basis upon which", or "groundwork upon which" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "cornerstone upon which" and "cornerstone of"?

While both phrases indicate importance, "cornerstone upon which" emphasizes the supporting role of the cornerstone, whereas "cornerstone of" simply highlights its central and vital position. Using "cornerstone of" may not explicitly imply a supporting role in the same way as "cornerstone upon which".