foundational narratives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foundational narratives" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the essential stories or frameworks that shape understanding or beliefs within a particular context, such as culture, history, or ideology. Example: "The foundational narratives of a society often influence its values and behaviors, shaping the way individuals perceive their identity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Letting our kids in on the secrets of what we most care about sets the stage for helping them engage in our most important collective, foundational narratives.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Radical nativism is turning America's foundational narrative into a wedge issue, and Republican leaders are going along, unwilling to challenge their base's dislocated anger.

The New Yorker

But what they were reading, in the guise of a love story with special effects, was something deeper: nothing less than a foundational narrative of modern Western culture.

The New York Times - Arts

The philosophical argument in favor of immigration is, of course, what my colleague Steve Coll describes in Comment this week, as "America's foundational narrative" — the notion that the unique American advantage is our commitment to absorb the best brains and ideas from abroad.

The New Yorker

"When deciding on an ideal home for our collection, we could not think of a more fitting venue than The Israel Museum, especially for its emphasis on the foundational narrative of humankind that is so relevant to us all today," Renee Belfer said in a statement.

Independent

It's my foundational narrative chronotope, the well I always seem to draw from.

Huffington Post

Gaming inspiration can come from several sources, but a lot of big-budget interactive entertainment bases its foundational elements action, narrative, character development, period setting and the supporting technology on the world of film.

Vice

And the redemption narrative, as Dee clearly realises, is the most foundational American story.

The Guardian - Books

This article develops theoretical understanding of the involvement of wealthy entrepreneurs in socially transformative projects by offering a foundational theory of philanthropic identity narratives.

Human Relations

First, in the pre-paradigmatic field where entrepreneurship intersects with philanthropy (Nicholls, 2006; Taylor et al., 2014), our article develops theoretical and empirical understanding of the involvement of wealthy entrepreneurs in socially transformative projects by offering a foundational theory of philanthropic identity narratives (Dees, 1998; Dees and Anderson, 2006; Taylor et al., 2014).

Human Relations

But the very premise is flawed: not all captivity narratives, let alone all our foundational dramas (there are others), involve a "homeland" incursion, an anachronistic formulation to begin with (Puritans like Rowlandson viewed England as the homeland, and the New World as howling wilderness).

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foundational narratives" when referring to stories or frameworks that are essential for understanding a culture, ideology, or belief system. It emphasizes the role of these narratives in shaping fundamental aspects of society and individual identity.

Common error

Avoid using "foundational narratives" when simpler terms like "basic stories" or "key narratives" suffice. Reserve it for instances where the narratives genuinely underpin broader understanding or structures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foundational narratives" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "foundational" modifies the noun "narratives". As Ludwig AI confirms, it refers to the essential stories that build the basis for understanding or belief systems. Examples from Ludwig show usage in contexts like cultural narratives or individual identity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foundational narratives" describes the core narratives that underpin understanding and beliefs. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct, though rare in usage. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, it identifies narratives critical for establishing frameworks. While interchangeable with terms like "fundamental stories" or "core narratives", it's best reserved for contexts where the narratives truly establish essential underpinnings. Therefore, reserve this term for when narratives genuinely underpin broader understanding and frameworks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental stories

Replaces "foundational" with "fundamental", emphasizing the basic and essential nature of the narratives.

core narratives

Substitutes "foundational" with "core", highlighting the central and most important narratives.

basic narratives

Replaces "foundational" with "basic", focusing on the fundamental aspect of the narratives.

essential narratives

Changes "foundational" to "essential", stressing the indispensable nature of the narratives.

underlying narratives

Replaces "foundational" with "underlying", emphasizing the narratives that form the basis or support for something.

primary narratives

Substitutes "foundational" with "primary", highlighting the narratives of utmost importance.

root narratives

Replaces "foundational" with "root", focusing on the origin and source of the narratives.

bedrock narratives

Changes "foundational" to "bedrock", emphasizing the stable and fundamental nature of the narratives.

building block narratives

Illustrates the idea of fundamental narratives acting as building blocks.

constitutive narratives

Highlights how narratives effectively constitute a crucial entity

FAQs

What does "foundational narratives" mean?

"Foundational narratives" refer to the core stories or frameworks that shape understanding or beliefs within a particular context, such as culture, history, or ideology.

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

You might say, "The "foundational narratives" of a society often influence its values and behaviors, shaping the way individuals perceive their identity."

What are some alternatives to "foundational narratives"?

You can use alternatives like "core narratives", "fundamental stories", or "essential narratives" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "basic narratives" and "foundational narratives"?

"Basic narratives" refer to simple, fundamental stories, while "foundational narratives" emphasizes their role in establishing the base or framework for a larger system of beliefs or understanding.