forms the underpinning of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forms the underpinning of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something serves as a foundational support or basis for another concept, idea, or structure. Example: "The principles of democracy form the underpinning of our legal system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Despite the fact that RSS as a consumer technology – as in users subscribing to feeds and reading them in NetNewsWire, FeedDemon, Google Reader and similar readers – never quite caught on, it still forms the underpinning of popular apps like Flipboard, Pulse and many other services.

TechCrunch

Current understanding of the adverse impact of hypoglycemia provides the theoretic framework that forms the underpinning of some of the exploratory post hoc analyses carried out by the ACCORD and VADT researchers.

Diabetes Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And the businesses that form the underpinning of the Ortley Way all seem intent on coming back.

The New York Times

One might also consider the Las Vegas mobsters whose signature pegged trousers and high-armhole suits formed the underpinning of what became the Rat Pack style, a trend in the 1960's and in another 30 years a trend again; and the Harlem racketeer Nicky Barnes, whose exaggerated collars, flash suits and statement glasses laid the groundwork for "Superfly".

The New York Times

These concepts form the underpinning of cellular motility, in particular the study of how myosin, kinesin, and dynein motors move on their actin and tubulin tracks, making Huxley a founder of the field of cellular motility.

Biophysical Journal

CGM forms the underpinning for the development of pumps that suspend insulin delivery when hypoglycemia is developing as well as for the burgeoning work on "artificial pancreas" systems.

Diabetes Care

That was a period when middle-class America was beginning a nearly mass communion with psychiatry, or, certainly, with the forms or language of the psychiatric experience, and it was the personal gropings of the psychiatric patient — the stumbling, sensibility-prone, identity-obsessed assertions — that formed both the underpinning of the new humor and the material to play off on.

The New Yorker

Paul Doyle Along with Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli, Bonucci forms the defensive underpinning of Antonio Conte's excellent Juventus team.

The Guardian - Sport

This deep link, then, between theater and ethics forms the philosophical underpinning of his ambitious, somewhat plodding, occasionally transcendent book.

The New York Times - Books

They are indispensable tools in the theories of partial differential equations, quantum mechanics, Fourier analysis (which includes applications to signal processing and heat transfer)—and ergodic theory, which forms the mathematical underpinning of thermodynamics.

Wikipedia

There exists abundant evidence that mutations that change the function or expression of growth-regulatory genes can lead to progression to a cancerous phenotype, and the progressive accumulation of such changes as the underpinning of tumorigenesis forms the basis for the somatic mutation theory (SMT) of cancer [ 1].

BioEssays

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "forms the underpinning of" when you want to emphasize that something acts as a crucial, foundational support for a concept, system, or idea. It suggests a structural or conceptual base that is less visible but essential.

Common error

Avoid using "forms the underpinning of" in simple sentences where more direct alternatives like "supports" or "is based on" would suffice. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound unnecessarily convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forms the underpinning of" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that something serves as a foundational support or basis for another concept or structure. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase. The phrase introduces the essential element upon which something else relies.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "forms the underpinning of" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes the foundational support of a concept or system. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While not exceedingly common, it finds a place in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, signaling its versatility. Alternatives like "serves as the foundation for" or "provides the basis for" can offer simpler phrasing. Remember to use this expression when emphasizing the fundamental, often less visible support that enables something else to function effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serves as the foundation for

Replaces "forms the underpinning" with "serves as the foundation", offering a more direct and common alternative.

lays the foundation for

Uses "lays the foundation" to emphasize the act of establishing a base.

constitutes the basis of

Changes the verb to 'constitutes' and uses 'basis' instead of 'underpinning', altering the emphasis slightly.

establishes the framework for

Uses "establishes the framework" to indicate a structured and organized base.

is the bedrock of

Uses "bedrock" to convey a sense of deep, solid foundation.

provides the groundwork for

Substitutes "underpinning" with "groundwork", implying preparation and initial stages.

is the cornerstone of

Employs "cornerstone" to suggest a critical and indispensable element.

creates the infrastructure for

Replaces "underpinning" with "infrastructure", suggesting a structural support system.

is fundamental to

Simplifies the phrase to a more concise expression of importance.

supplies the support for

Emphasizes the act of providing assistance and stability.

FAQs

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

You can use "forms the underpinning of" to indicate that something serves as a fundamental support or basis for something else. For example: "Trust "forms the underpinning of" all successful relationships".

What can I say instead of "forms the underpinning of"?

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

Is "forms the underpinning of" formal or informal language?

"Forms the underpinning of" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "is based on" or "supports" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "forms the underpinning of" and "is based on"?

"Forms the underpinning of" suggests a more structural or foundational role, whereas "is based on" simply indicates that something relies on or originates from something else. The first implies a hidden, yet essential support, the second direct dependence.