foundational observation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foundational observation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a basic or essential observation that serves as a basis for further understanding or analysis. Example: "The foundational observation in this study highlights the importance of early childhood education in cognitive development."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Foundational observations were reported by the Brindle lab in 2007 in an EL-4 cancer cell culture, with experiments subsequently generalized to an orthotopic tumor model.

Biochemistry

Mīmāṃsā and Nyāya realists emphasize the "concept-laden" nature of at least the type of perception that is epistemically foundational for observation statements containing basic sensory predicates.

SEP

Nelson uses Quine's arguments against the independently foundational status of observation statements as the basis for what she calls a feminist empiricism.

SEP

This seminar encourages the integration of digital storytelling tools audio, video, still images, graphical material with journalism's foundational skills of rigorous observation, analysis, and writing.

Princeton University

Awareness and observation are foundational for any habit changes that I choose to make.

Huffington Post

Such observations were foundational in early generative linguistics, which recognized the central role of phrase structure, rather than word order, in syntax.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

The term "foundational forecast" means basic weather observation and forecast data, largely in raw form, before further processing is applied.

Cornell University

The time, the continued access to resources like the GSD's Frances Loeb Library and Special Collections, and the open-ended nature of the Irving Innovation Fellowship have enabled Kwon to layer these fascinating and important observations atop her foundational thesis.

Harvard University

At the same time, he seems to have believed that his own physical investigations were sufficiently similar to mathematics that they amounted to demonstrated knowledge, and that experiments or observations provided their foundational principles.

SEP

Our enhanced framework includes foundational ontologies to support modeling of wildlife observation and wildlife health impacts, thereby enabling deeper and broader support for more holistically examining the effects of environmental pollution on ecosystems.

Future Generation Computer Systems

Whereas the latter notion presents a genuine foundational problem, the former one contradicts neither common sense nor observation, and may be used to describe cellular 'decision-making' and adaptation.

Biosystems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foundational observation", ensure that the observation genuinely serves as a fundamental basis for further analysis or understanding. Avoid using it for minor or inconsequential observations.

Common error

Avoid using "foundational observation" when the observation is not truly fundamental or critical. Overusing it can diminish its impact and credibility. Instead, opt for alternatives like "key finding" or "important note" if the observation is significant but not truly foundational.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foundational observation" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "foundational" modifies the noun "observation". This construction emphasizes the fundamental or essential nature of the observation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a usable and correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

33%

Academia

33%

News & Media

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foundational observation" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the fundamental importance of an observation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable term, mostly appearing in scientific, academic, and news contexts. While it conveys a sense of crucial significance, it's important to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in cases where the observation is not truly foundational. Alternatives such as ""fundamental observation"" or "key observation" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental observation

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

basic observation

Uses "basic" instead of "foundational", highlighting the elementary or initial aspect of the observation.

core observation

Substitutes "foundational" with "core", focusing on the central and most important aspect of the observation.

key observation

Emphasizes the importance of the observation by using "key" instead of "foundational".

primary observation

Replaces "foundational" with "primary", indicating the observation is of first importance or rank.

initial observation

Focuses on the observation being the first one made or noted.

elementary observation

Highlights the simplicity and fundamental nature of the observation.

essential observation

Emphasizes the necessity and crucial nature of the observation.

underlying observation

Highlights that the observation is the base under an argumentation or a theory.

groundwork observation

Substitutes "foundational" with "groundwork", focusing on the preparatory or introductory nature of the observation.

FAQs

What does "foundational observation" mean?

A "foundational observation" refers to a basic or essential observation that serves as a fundamental basis for further analysis, understanding, or the development of theories and concepts. It's an observation that's critical to building upon.

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

You can use "foundational observation" to highlight the importance of a key finding. For example: "The "fundamental observation" in this study is the correlation between early childhood education and cognitive development."

What can I say instead of "foundational observation"?

Alternatives include "basic observation", "key observation", or "essential observation", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "foundational observation" formal or informal?

"Foundational observation" is suitable for formal writing and academic contexts. In more informal settings, simpler terms like "basic observation" or "key finding" may be more appropriate.