fundamental pillar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fundamental pillar" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a critical foundation, support, or component of something. For example: "Compassion is a fundamental pillar of the health care system."

✓ Grammatically correct

Democracy

Politics

Economics

Society

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is a fundamental pillar of democracy.

The Washington Post

He has shattered the world of appearances, the fundamental pillar of the system.

The Economist

For Germany, the trans-Atlantic relationship remains a "fundamental pillar" of its foreign policy, he said.

The New York Times

But it's a fundamental pillar of democracy, I say, to have a police force that you can trust… "Apparently, yes.

The Guardian

"Spain will be a fundamental pillar of the relationship between Gibraltar and the EU as a whole.

The Guardian

We're doing so because a fundamental pillar of democracy is at stake: the free exchange of knowledge and ideas.

The New York Times

But Iris Varela, the prisons minister, tweeted gleefully that the opposition was "shit-scared" of the colectivos, calling them a "fundamental pillar in the defence of the homeland".

The Economist

The peace agreement is increasingly fragile, with Kiir undermining a fundamental pillar of its power-sharing clauses by nearly tripling the number of regional states.

The Guardian

Cheap gas is a fundamental pillar of the government's populist policies, says Peter Kreko of Political Capital, a Budapest think-tank.

The Economist

He said the banks were a "fundamental pillar" of society that operated under a "social licence" of public trust and confidence.

The Guardian

It's a well-established, fundamental pillar of society and no group, be they gays, be they NAMBLA, be they people who believe in bestiality.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "fundamental pillar" when you want to emphasize that something is not only important but also provides crucial support or strength to a larger structure or system.

Common error

Avoid using "fundamental pillar" to describe simple importance. The phrase is most effective when highlighting a supporting or foundational role, not just general significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fundamental pillar" functions as a noun phrase typically used as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies and emphasizes the essential supporting role of something, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fundamental pillar" is a commonly used metaphorical expression that signifies something essential and foundational. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various formal contexts, especially when emphasizing the supporting nature of an element. Its prevalence in news, scientific, and business sources highlights its versatility in conveying critical importance. When writing, it's best to reserve "fundamental pillar" for situations where you specifically want to highlight the supporting or foundational role, and not just general importance. Consider alternatives like "essential element" or "cornerstone" depending on the desired nuance. Ultimately, "fundamental pillar" is a powerful phrase for conveying the indispensable nature of a particular component within a broader system.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Cornerstone

Highlights foundational placement and importance. The semantic impact is very similar, referring to a key element on which everything else depends.

Foundation

Directly refers to the base upon which something is built, lacking the evocative imagery of a pillar.

Essential element

Emphasizes necessity but lacks the strength of the "pillar" metaphor.

Central tenet

More appropriate for abstract concepts or belief systems. Meaning is quite similar but does not apply to physical things.

Core principle

Similar to "central tenet", used more for guiding beliefs. Meaning is quite similar but does not apply to physical things.

Key component

Focuses on being a part of a larger system but doesn't convey foundational importance as strongly.

Integral part

Stresses necessity, but it is more generic and lacks the structural implication of "pillar".

Basic building block

Emphasizes the role in construction and constitution of something, but doesn't highlight importance.

Indispensable aspect

Highlights irreplaceability but is more verbose and formal. The effect on the reader is different.

Underlying support

Focuses on the supporting role, abstracting the concept, while "pillar" is more concrete and visual.

FAQs

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

You can use "fundamental pillar" to describe something essential that supports a larger system or idea. For example: "Trust is a "fundamental pillar" of any successful relationship."

What are some alternatives to "fundamental pillar"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "essential element", "cornerstone", or "key component".

Is "fundamental pillar" too formal for casual writing?

While "fundamental pillar" isn't overly formal, it's more suited for professional, academic, or news-related content. For casual writing, consider using a simpler term like "essential part".

What's the difference between "fundamental pillar" and "key aspect"?

"Fundamental pillar" emphasizes support and foundation, while "key aspect" simply highlights importance. Use "fundamental pillar" when you want to convey that something provides crucial structural support.