foundational idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foundational idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a basic or essential concept that serves as the basis for further development or understanding in a particular field or discussion. Example: "The foundational idea behind this theory is that all living organisms share a common ancestor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"A foundational idea for this show was that we are permanently in a condition of creating, being excited or horrified by our inventions," said Boryana Rossa, a Bulgarian-born artist and graduate student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.

The New York Times - Science

Yet by the program's end, after Mr. Ferguson has introduced you to derivatives and all those other arcane financial instruments and practices, it becomes clear just how distorted that foundational idea — borrow money, pay it back — has become.

The New York Times - Arts

We really started with this foundational idea of 'let's let people jump in to their Star Wars battle fantasy and play it their way'," he says, "That has been the guiding principle, and that hasn't changed at all".

The Guardian - Tech

It's an inelegant phrase that has been slow to take hold, perhaps because the foundational idea of Rwanda's post-genocide order is to emphasize an inclusive national identity, and to treat Hutu and Tutsi as distinctions that belong more to the past.

The New Yorker

"It will take a lifestyle change," says Kurtz. "This is becoming a foundational idea".

Science Magazine

The talk of both "suffering" and "happiness" suggests that Horkheimer oscillated between pessimistic and optimistic renderings of this foundational idea.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

One of Christianity's foundational ideas is that Jesus Christ himself is "the Word of God".

The Guardian - Opinion

Its major themes include introductions to the fundamentals of geometrical optics, classical electromagnetic waves and the interference effects associated with those waves, and the foundational ideas of the quantum theory of light.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The first volume, published in 1987 — the same year as "The Closing of the American Mind," Allan Bloom's attack on efforts to diversify the academic canon — made Mr. Bernal a hero among Afrocentrists, a pariah among conservative scholars and the star witness at dozens of sometimes raucous academic panel discussions about how to teach the foundational ideas of Western culture.

The New York Times - Arts

Foundational ideas like how the economics of gaming should behave, and consequently what game products should look like, raised significant questions.

TechCrunch

These features were used as the foundational ideas in designing a formal curriculum of primary school science that is culturally appropriate with a CHC to improve the primary science education (Hằng et al. 2016).

Asia-Pacific Science Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foundational idea" to set the stage for explaining a more complex theory, system, or argument. This helps to provide context and establish a firm basis for subsequent information.

Common error

Avoid repeating "foundational idea" too frequently within a short text. If you find yourself using it multiple times on the same page, consider using synonyms like "core concept" or "basic tenet" to vary your language and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foundational idea" functions as a noun phrase, where 'foundational' modifies 'idea'. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly identifies the central concept or principle upon which a system or argument is built. The examples demonstrate its role in introducing core concepts in various fields.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "foundational idea" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term used to introduce core concepts across various fields. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. As the analysis shows, "foundational idea" serves to highlight fundamental principles, making it common in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When writing, remember to use it to clearly establish the basis for your arguments or explanations, and consider alternatives such as "core concept" or fundamental principle to avoid repetition. The examples provided in Ludwig offer practical illustrations of its use in real-world contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

core concept

Focuses on the central and essential nature of the idea.

fundamental principle

Emphasizes the idea's role as a basic rule or belief.

basic tenet

Highlights the idea as a key doctrine or belief.

underlying assumption

Stresses the idea's role as an implicit belief upon which something rests.

central premise

Indicates the idea is a foundational statement or proposition.

key concept

Highlights the importance of the idea.

cornerstone principle

Implies the idea is an essential and indispensable element.

essential element

Focuses on the idea's necessity and importance.

groundwork concept

Emphasizes the idea as a base or foundation.

primary basis

Highlights the idea as the main foundation or support.

FAQs

How can I use "foundational idea" in a sentence?

You can use "foundational idea" to introduce a basic concept upon which a larger argument or theory is built. For example, "The "foundational idea" of democracy is that all citizens have equal rights."

What's the difference between "foundational idea" and "key concept"?

"Foundational idea" implies a basic, fundamental concept that underlies something, whereas "key concept" simply denotes an important idea. A foundational idea is usually more fundamental and serves as a base for other ideas.

What are some synonyms for "foundational idea"?

Some synonyms for "foundational idea" include ""core concept"", "fundamental principle", and ""basic tenet"". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "foundational idea" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "foundational idea" when introducing a basic or essential concept that forms the groundwork for further discussion or understanding. It is common in academic writing, explanatory texts, and when establishing a framework for a particular subject.