fundamental cornerstone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fundamental cornerstone" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is often used to refer to something that is essential or essential to the foundation of something. For example, you could say, "Education is the fundamental cornerstone of a successful society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"It is a fundamental cornerstone of everything Britain stands for.

The Guardian

It has overturned a fundamental cornerstone of UK policy since the early 1970s.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The freedom to read any book, no matter the subject, is a fundamental cornerstone of our liberty".

The Guardian - Books

Mutagenesis is now documented as a fundamental cornerstone of the molecular basis of all forms of cancer24.

Nature

Together they typify the maximising of every available ounce of talent from the fundamental cornerstone of making a team difficult to beat.

The Guardian - Sport

James Corden has described the BBC as a "fundamental cornerstone of everything Britain stands for" as he voiced fears for the future of the publicly funded broadcaster.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Together they focus on three fundamental cornerstones for achieving hypergrowth success: cultivating a team of top talent, adopting a customer-oriented business model and living a philosophy of "get it moving now". Follow all three and hypergrowth is on your horizon.

Forbes

But we need the heavy lift launch vehicle and the crew spacecraft; using those two fundamental cornerstones as our initial capabilities to actually go out and explore". Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti has spent longer in space on a single mission than any other woman, returning to Earth last June after 200 days.

BBC

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has continually advocated for a number of key principles as fundamental cornerstones of any successful health care system.

Huffington Post

Cultural heritage shapes the environment, contributes to moral and economic well-being, and is one of the fundamental cornerstones of a peaceful and prosperous society.

Huffington Post

Both codes are fundamental cornerstones for energy efficiency in building design, insulation, heating, cooling, hot water, and lighting.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fundamental cornerstone" when you want to emphasize that something is not just important, but absolutely essential and foundational to a system, idea, or structure. It adds weight and signifies indispensability.

Common error

Avoid using "fundamental cornerstone" in contexts where simpler terms like "basic element" or "key part" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fundamental cornerstone" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something as an essential and foundational element. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts to emphasize importance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fundamental cornerstone" is a grammatically correct and widely used noun phrase that signifies something essential and foundational. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's employed across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, to emphasize the critical importance of a particular element. While related phrases like "essential foundation" or "key component" offer alternatives, "fundamental cornerstone" carries a unique weight, underscoring indispensability. Be mindful of overuse and ensure its application aligns with the gravity of the context. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources solidifies its status as a reliable and impactful expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential foundation

Replaces "cornerstone" with "foundation", emphasizing the basic support aspect.

basic building block

Uses a construction metaphor, highlighting the foundational nature of the element.

key component

Emphasizes the importance of the element as part of a larger whole.

indispensable element

Highlights the necessity and importance of the element.

primary basis

Focuses on the foundational role as the starting point.

critical foundation

Synonymous replacement, heightens the importance.

integral part

Emphasizes the element's role as a necessary component.

core principle

Highlights the element as a guiding rule or belief.

essential aspect

Focuses on the element as a crucial feature or quality.

central tenet

Emphasizes the element as a key belief or doctrine.

FAQs

How can I use "fundamental cornerstone" in a sentence?

You can use "fundamental cornerstone" to emphasize the foundational importance of something. For example, "Trust is the "fundamental cornerstone" of any successful relationship."

What phrases are similar to "fundamental cornerstone"?

Similar phrases include "essential foundation", "basic building block", or "key component". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "fundamental cornerstone" redundant?

While both words convey importance, "fundamental" emphasizes the foundational aspect, and "cornerstone" highlights the essential structural role. The combination reinforces the idea of something being absolutely critical and indispensable.

What is the difference between "fundamental cornerstone" and "important aspect"?

"Fundamental cornerstone" implies a foundational and indispensable element, whereas "important aspect" simply indicates something of significant value. The former is stronger and more emphatic.