foundation for thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foundation for thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the underlying principles or concepts that support or inform thinking processes. Example: "Philosophy often serves as a foundation for thought, shaping how we understand the world around us."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

For example, the "intelligent design" movement is headquartered at the Discovery Institute and allied with the Foundation for Thought and Ethics.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

A sea change, however, began in 1989, when the Foundation for Thought and Ethics of Richardson, Texas, published Of Pandas and People, the first textbook to promote the concept of "intelligent design".

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Anticipating a victory in the Louisiana case, Thaxton and Jon Buell, director of the Foundation for Thought and Ethics, a small Christian think tank in Texas, believed that the McLean defeat could have been averted by the availability of appropriate teaching materials.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The publisher is the Foundation for Thought and Ethics (FTE), and its track record is as clear as it is biased.

Huffington Post

Barbara Forrest writes that the intelligent design movement began in 1984 with the book The Mystery of Life's Origin: Reassessing Current Theories, co-written by creationist Charles B. Thaxton, a chemist, with two other authors, and published by Jon A. Buell's Foundation for Thought and Ethics.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This capacity may serve as the foundation for moral thought and action, and its early developmental emergence supports the view that social evaluation is a biological adaptation.

Nature

Cassian's understanding of the role of the Psalms in the monastic life lays the foundation for monastic thought and practice throughout the Middle Ages.

Harvard University

… Clearly the idea of absolute nothingness came to awareness in the spirituality of the East; but the fact that it has also been posited as a foundation for philosophical thought represents a new step virtually without counterpart in the history of Western philosophy" (NKC IX, 225 26; Nishitani 1991, 161).

SEP

But even as Christianity recedes as a cultural influence, its patterns of belief continue to provide foundations for secular thought.

The Guardian

After its genesis, this Modern Synthesis provided useful foundations for biological thought for the middle part of the 20th Century.

Biology Direct

To start, mindfulness helps us pay attention to our thoughts and emotions with kindness and acceptance, laying the foundation for recognizing unhealthy thought patterns or habits.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "foundation for thought" when referring to the fundamental principles or core ideas that support a particular way of thinking or belief system. Ensure the context clearly indicates what kind of "thought" is being supported by the foundation.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "foundation for thought" in contexts where a more concrete term would be appropriate. Ensure the phrase is used when discussing abstract ideas or conceptual frameworks, rather than tangible objects or actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foundation for thought" functions as a noun phrase that describes the underlying principles, beliefs, or assumptions upon which a particular way of thinking or a belief system is based. As evidenced by the examples in Ludwig, it often appears in discussions of philosophy, education, and intellectual movements.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "foundation for thought" is a noun phrase used to describe the fundamental principles or core ideas that support a particular way of thinking. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct, but rare. It is commonly found in science, news, and wiki contexts. When writing, use this phrase to refer to abstract ideas or conceptual frameworks. Consider using alternatives like "basis for thinking" or "intellectual framework" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basis for thinking

Replaces "foundation" with "basis" and "thought" with "thinking", maintaining the core meaning but using different nouns.

underlying principles of thought

Emphasizes the "underlying principles" aspect, suggesting fundamental ideas that support thought.

intellectual framework

Focuses on the structural aspect of thought, implying a system of ideas.

conceptual basis

Highlights the "conceptual" aspect, referring to the ideas that underpin thought.

theoretical underpinning

Emphasizes the "theoretical" aspect, suggesting a formal or academic basis.

cognitive foundation

Uses "cognitive" to specify the mental processes involved in thinking.

reasoning bedrock

Uses a more metaphorical term, "bedrock", to represent the solid foundation for reasoning.

intellectual underpinnings

Focuses on the supporting ideas and assumptions that inform intellectual processes.

epistemological basis

Introduces the term "epistemological", relating to the theory of knowledge.

philosophical groundwork

Refers to the initial or preparatory work in philosophy that serves as a base for thought.

FAQs

How can I use "foundation for thought" in a sentence?

You can use "foundation for thought" to describe the underlying principles or core ideas that support a particular way of thinking. For example, "Philosophy often serves as a "foundation for thought", shaping how we understand the world."

What are some alternatives to "foundation for thought"?

Alternatives include "basis for thinking", "underlying principles of thought", or "intellectual framework", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "foundation for thought" formal or informal?

"Foundation for thought" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts. Its formality depends on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.

What is the difference between "foundation for thought" and "framework for thought"?

While both phrases refer to the underlying structure of thinking, "foundation for thought" emphasizes the supporting principles or beliefs, while "framework for thought" implies a more organized and systematic structure for processing information and ideas.