economic foundation

USAGE SUMMARY

"economic foundation" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to the underlying principles, systems, or structures of an economy. You can use the phrase "economic foundation" when discussing the basic elements that support and sustain a country's economy. For example: - "A strong education system is crucial for building a solid economic foundation for future generations." - "The government's policies aim to strengthen the economic foundation by promoting small businesses and entrepreneurship." - "The collapse of the banking sector severely weakened the country's economic foundation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But now, that economic foundation is shaking.

The Washington Post

Without that economic foundation, the story cannot support itself".

The New York Times

Copyright is the sole economic foundation of the "knowledge economy".

The Guardian - Opinion

The economic foundation of a newspaper, however, is advertising.

The New York Times

The ownership of private property formed their social and economic foundation — what we now call capitalism.

The New York Times

"We cannot so weaken our economic foundation that we jeopardize our ability to preserve freedom".

The New York Times

Nor did the family neglect laying a firm economic foundation for its political power.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Our study provides an economic foundation and managerial guidance for improving Internet security.

Decision Support Systems

When the Tory government shut down the pits, it shut down the communities' economic foundation.

The Guardian - Opinion

There were 406 available of the mug reading "A strong economic foundation".

The Guardian

My entire economic foundation was because there was affordable housing in Seattle".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific industry or sector, clarify which aspects of that industry form the "economic foundation" for a region or community.

Common error

Avoid using "economic foundation" too generally. Instead, specify the exact factors (e.g., education, infrastructure, specific industries) that constitute the foundation you are discussing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "economic foundation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the essential support system upon which an economy is built, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

24%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "economic foundation" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that refers to the underlying principles and systems that support an economy. Ludwig's analysis, supported by numerous examples from diverse sources, reveals that it is frequently used in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts to describe the essential factors contributing to economic stability and prosperity. While "economic foundation" is versatile, it's important to use it with specificity, detailing the particular aspects that constitute the foundation in question. Strong alternatives include "economic base" and "financial bedrock", each offering slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

economic base

Replaces "foundation" with "base", emphasizing the fundamental support of the economy.

financial bedrock

Uses "bedrock" to highlight the stable and solid nature of the financial underpinnings.

economic underpinning

Substitutes "foundation" with "underpinning", focusing on the supporting structure.

financial infrastructure

Replaces with a more comprehensive term related to all financial aspects.

economic substructure

Emphasizes the underlying structure that supports the economic system.

fiscal stability

Focuses on the stability aspect of the financial base.

monetary framework

Highlights the structural arrangement of monetary policies.

economic support system

Replaces "foundation" with a more descriptive phrase focusing on support.

economic backbone

Emphasizes the critical supporting role of the economy's fundamental aspects.

financial stability

Highlights the stability of a nation's finances.

FAQs

How can I use "economic foundation" in a sentence?

You can use "economic foundation" to describe the basic support or structure upon which an economy is built. For example, "A strong education system is essential for building a robust "economic foundation"".

What are some alternatives to "economic foundation"?

Alternatives include "economic base", "financial bedrock", or "economic underpinning", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "economic foundation" and "financial infrastructure"?

"Economic foundation" refers to the fundamental principles and systems supporting an economy, while "financial infrastructure" refers to the specific institutions and systems that facilitate financial transactions and activities.

Is "economic foundation" a formal or informal term?

"Economic foundation" is considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly used in professional or academic discussions about economics and finance.