foundational

USAGE SUMMARY

'foundational' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is used as an adjective to mean forming, relating to, or providing a basis or starting point for something. Example sentence: His knowledge of mathematics and physics was foundational to his later work in engineering.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another misunderstanding to guard against is that the Vienna Circle's ongoing concern with "foundational issues" and the "foundations of science" does in itself betoken foundationalism.

SEP

Whether or not the EPA's own surveys can be trusted, the move by Republicans to denounce water regulation and pitch it as the enemy of the foundational American ideal of private property might not be a slam-dunk for the American right – even among their core supporters.

The Guardian

A chronicler from the time mentions that Humayun's fort was built on the hallowed site of Indraprastha Indraprastha appears in one of India's foundational Sanskrit epic poems, the Mahabharata, as the capital city established by its heroes, the Pandava brothers.

The Guardian

"Though the foundational importance of family has not changed – times and attitudes have".

The Guardian

And this retrospective reframing of the foundational 1990 agreement has profound consequences for Moscow's view of its obligations under the post-cold war order.

The Guardian - Opinion

All of it violated a raft of Defense Department and executive-branch regulations, up to and including Executive Order 12333, a foundational intelligence guideline.

The Guardian

India and Israel have seen their foundational commitments to collective welfare reconfigured by a nexus of neoliberal extremists and majoritarian nationalists, who hope to bludgeon their disaffected minorities into loyalty to a "Jewish state" and a "Hindu nation".

The Guardian - Opinion

All sides of politics accept the foundational injustice in principle, and for a period of time, they have wondered how to fix it.

The Guardian

A Gallup survey found that less than half of Americans can name the first book of the Bible (Genesis), only a third know who delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Billy Graham is a popular answer) and a quarter do not know what is celebrated at Easter (the resurrection, the foundational event of Christianity).

The Economist

More than two centuries after Smith's landmark work, economics's foundational debate continues to resonate.

The Economist

Unlike a modern computer, the Pilot ACE looks comprehensible, in theory at least; the sort of machine that could, just about, be contained within an (expert) human brain.Less-known again than Turing's foundational role in the computer revolution is the breadth of his other interests, an imbalance that David Rooney, the exhibit's curator, says he is keen to address.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foundational", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being supported or based upon the element described as "foundational". This adds precision and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "foundational" in overly abstract or vague contexts without a clear connection to tangible elements. This can dilute the term's impact and make your writing less persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The word "foundational" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that they form a base, origin, or essential component of something else. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct to use in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its role in describing core concepts or principles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foundational" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective that signifies something serving as a base or essential component. According to Ludwig AI, the term is suitable for use in written English. As shown by Ludwig examples, it appears most commonly in scientific and news contexts, with a neutral to formal register. Related terms include "fundamental" and "basic". When using "foundational", ensure clarity by specifying what it supports and avoid overuse in vague contexts. Keep in mind that alternatives may be more appropriate depending on the specific meaning and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental

Changes the adjective to a direct synonym, focusing on the basic and essential nature.

basic

Replaces the adjective with a more common and simpler term indicating the starting point.

underlying

Shifts the focus to what lies beneath and supports something else.

essential

Emphasizes the necessity and importance of the element being described.

elementary

Indicates the initial or simplest stage of something.

key

Highlights the critical importance of the element.

primary

Focuses on the element being first in order or importance.

cornerstone

Uses a metaphorical noun to describe the base of a structure.

integral

Stresses the element's role as a necessary part of a whole.

groundwork

Uses a noun to describe the initial preparations or basis.

FAQs

How to use "foundational" in a sentence?

You can use "foundational" to describe elements that serve as a base or starting point, as in "His knowledge of mathematics is "foundational" to his work in physics".

What can I say instead of "foundational"?

You can use alternatives like "fundamental", "basic", or "essential" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "foundational" or "fundamental"?

Both ""foundational"" and "fundamental" are correct, but "fundamental" often implies a more inherent and irreducible quality, while ""foundational"" specifically suggests a base upon which something is built.

What's the difference between "foundational" and "basic"?

"Foundational" suggests something that provides a necessary basis or groundwork, while "basic" simply means elementary or fundamental but doesn't necessarily imply a supporting role.