foundational thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foundational thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a fundamental or essential element of a concept, idea, or system. Example: "Trust is a foundational thing in any successful relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"It's going to be a big foundational thing".

The New York Times

"But again, it's a tremendous foundational thing to teach.

The New York Times - Sports

Most people are somewhere in the middle, and that's the foundational thing the MBTI fails to understand.

Vice

The third foundational thing is that we are stuck in a low wage economy, and the "recovery" isn't doing anything to make that better.

HuffPost

The second foundational thing we need to understand is how the financialization of the economy is weakening the entire middle class.

HuffPost

The first foundational thing we have to understand is that we are living in an era where not only is wealth concentrated, but entire industries are becoming so concentrated as to be near-monopolies.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

We've done some really good foundational things.

Harvard Business Review

However, I think you are missing one of the foundational things that must happen for digital transformations, or any other flavor for that matter, to work.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"The company did a lot of cleaning up the broken glass of all the growth over the last 12 to 18 months and this year started to lay some new foundational things," O'Shaughnessy said.

The Washington Post

You need to know some foundational things about how money and business work to do well in this life.

Forbes

There are a lot of foundational things that I learned as a design student with regard to things like color theory and things like that which obviously makes a difference in the quality of the product (Participant 1).

Fashion and Textiles

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foundational thing", ensure it clearly identifies a fundamental element or principle. Provide context to clarify why it's foundational.

Common error

Avoid using "foundational thing" as a vague placeholder. Always specify what makes it foundational and its impact on the overall subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foundational thing" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'foundational' modifies the noun 'thing'. As Ludwig AI notes, it's used to describe something fundamental or essential.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "foundational thing" is a grammatically sound and neutrally registered expression used to highlight the essential or fundamental nature of a particular element. Ludwig AI indicates that its meaning is clear and its usage is appropriate in a variety of contexts, including business, education, and personal relationships. While "foundational thing" appears most often in News & Media and Academic sources, it is advisable to use more descriptive alternatives, such as "fundamental element", in more formal contexts to enhance clarity and precision. When using the phrase, provide clear context to specify the foundational aspect and its impact. Overall, the phrase is suitable for general use, provided its meaning is clearly conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental element

Replaces "thing" with a more formal noun, focusing on composition.

basic principle

Shifts from an object to a guiding rule or belief.

core component

Highlights the essential parts of a system or idea.

essential aspect

Emphasizes the importance and necessity of a particular feature.

underlying concept

Focuses on the foundational idea or theory.

key element

Highlights importance, similar to 'essential aspect'.

cornerstone

Metaphorically represents the base upon which something is built.

building block

Suggests a basic unit used to create something larger.

primary foundation

More emphatic in highlighting that something is the main element that supports everything else.

critical base

Highlights the support on which further development depends.

FAQs

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

Use "foundational thing" to describe something that serves as a crucial base or underlying principle. For example, "Trust is a "foundational thing" in any successful relationship."

What are some alternatives to "foundational thing"?

You can use alternatives like "fundamental element", "basic principle", or "core component" depending on the context.

Is "foundational thing" too vague for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "foundational thing" can be vague. Consider using more specific terms like "essential aspect" or "underlying concept" in formal contexts to enhance clarity.

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

"Foundational thing" implies a fundamental supporting role, while "basic thing" simply means something rudimentary or essential. Foundational implies that other things build upon it.