forms the cornerstone of

USAGE SUMMARY

"forms the cornerstone of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that is the foundation or basis upon which something else is built. Example: Solid communication skills form the cornerstone of effective team leadership.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

As I reflected further, I realized to my confusion that the same concept forms the cornerstone of my own profession.

The New York Times - Health

The Monju reactor forms the cornerstone of a national project by Japan to reuse and eventually produce nuclear fuel.

The New York Times

Either way, it's a staggering anecdote, and forms the cornerstone of a film so scary it makes The Exorcist look like The Railway Children.

The Guardian

A freed Roman slave turned shipping merchant, Trimalchio throws possibly the most extravagant dinner party in literature, which forms the cornerstone of The Satyricon.

The Guardian - Books

Having raised those issues of concern, let me make it clear that I am nevertheless an admirer and respecter of the BBC, which forms the cornerstone of public service broadcasting in this country.

The Guardian

In the works for years, the power plant rule forms the cornerstone of Obama's plan to curb US emissions and keep global temperatures from climbing, and its success is pivotal to the legacy Obama hopes to leave on climate change.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

A news release says that it is its artistic directors' "lifelong appreciation of the artistic and aesthetic appeal of the multicultural that forms the cornerstones of Complexions Contemporary Ballet's singular approach to reinventing dance".

The New York Times - Arts

Basic Bank Accounts form the cornerstone of financial inclusion.

The Guardian - Money

Sports minister Hugh Robertson said the scheme would form the "cornerstone of grassroots legacy" from the Olympics.

The Guardian

Its colonies form the cornerstone of London's black musical styles, even now.

The Guardian - Music

The principles of participation, transparency and accountability, which form the cornerstone of the notion of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), are usually absent in such transactions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "forms the cornerstone of" to emphasize the foundational importance of something within a system or concept. For instance, "Trust forms the cornerstone of any successful relationship".

Common error

Avoid using "forms the cornerstone of" in contexts where the importance isn't significant or when a simpler word like 'basis' would suffice. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forms the cornerstone of" functions as a predicate nominative, linking the subject to a noun phrase that renames it. It emphasizes the foundational and essential nature of the subject's role, as seen in Ludwig's examples where concepts like 'evolutionary theory' or 'fact' are described as cornerstones.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "forms the cornerstone of" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize the fundamental importance of something. Ludwig's analysis reveals its frequent usage across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. The phrase effectively conveys that a particular element is essential and foundational, providing stability and support to the overall structure or concept. While versatile, it's best employed in contexts where the significance is substantial to avoid diluting its impact, as suggested by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constitutes the foundation of

Replaces "cornerstone" with "foundation", emphasizing the base upon which something is built.

serves as the basis for

Focuses on the role of providing a base or starting point.

is the fundamental element of

Highlights the essential and basic nature of the element.

is the bedrock of

Emphasizes stability and a solid foundation, similar to "cornerstone".

is central to

Indicates that something is of utmost importance and occupies a central position.

is integral to

Highlights that something is a necessary part of the whole.

is the key component of

Emphasizes the role of being a significant part or ingredient.

underlies

Implies being the hidden or less obvious foundation.

is at the heart of

Suggests the most important or vital part.

hinges on

Highlights that something else depends or relies on it.

FAQs

How can I use "forms the cornerstone of" in a sentence?

The phrase "forms the cornerstone of" is used to indicate that something is a fundamental or essential part of something else. For example, "Effective communication "forms the cornerstone of" a successful relationship."

What are some alternatives to "forms the cornerstone of"?

Alternatives to "forms the cornerstone of" include "constitutes the foundation of", "serves as the basis for", or "is the fundamental element of", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "forms the cornerstone of" or "is the foundation of"?

Both "forms the cornerstone of" and "is the foundation of" are correct, but "forms the cornerstone of" often implies a more integral and indispensable role, while "is the foundation of" simply suggests being the base or support.

What is the difference between "forms the cornerstone of" and "is important to"?

"Forms the cornerstone of" suggests that something is absolutely essential and fundamental, whereas "is important to" merely indicates significance. The former has a stronger connotation of necessity than the latter.