fundamental situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fundamental situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a basic or essential condition or context in which something occurs. Example: "In order to understand the conflict, we must first analyze the fundamental situation that led to the disagreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But the firm's fundamental situation may not be much better.

The Economist

Lawrence Eagles, an oil analyst for JPMorgan Chase, said: "This is the weakest fundamental situation we've had since 2002".

The New York Times

In both stories, the fundamental situation is almost familiar, the intention becomes obvious and must be laboriously realized.

The New York Times - Books

"Things have gotten better in a number of ways, but the fundamental situation which we pointed out is still in front of us".

The New York Times

"Clearly the fundamental situation and the inventory concerns are real and not going to turn around right away, but there's a huge pool of cash that is being put to work right now, anticipating the eventual turning of the market," Mr. Hyman said.

The New York Times

While the government will operate under a different rule for the next few months, nothing in the debt law that just passed changes the fundamental situation: the government cannot borrow more than authorized by Congress, which means that the potential for default remains alive.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Patience to me equates to compassion, and endurance is a form of courage – it reminded me that these basic, human and fundamental situations get seized on by great storytellers and there are obvious resonances between all these stories".

The Guardian - Film

This situation of non-preference is captured in the relational system of preference [27] that consists in the following two fundamental situations: Indifference ∼ or non-preference where there are no clear reasons to choose one action on the other.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

It is not relevant whether the fundamental data situation is satisfying or not; typically, one has to create a scenario that includes both a few powerful production sites and a lot of decentralised, small-scale units that are used one could call it a "swarm".

Energy, Sustainability and Society

This is fundamental in situations such as research in Education in which the effects are interpretable.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

The framework was designed considering a set of fundamental ingredients: situation-awareness, semantics self-organization, and self-similar modular design.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fundamental situation", ensure the context clearly establishes what aspects of the situation are being considered as fundamental to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "fundamental situation" as a catch-all phrase. Be specific about which aspects of the situation are truly fundamental; otherwise, the term loses its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fundamental situation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it denotes the core or essential aspects of a particular context. It is used to pinpoint the most critical elements influencing a specific state of affairs.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fundamental situation" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that refers to the basic or essential conditions of a particular context. As supported by Ludwig, it's most frequently found in news and scientific domains. While it's considered a neutral to formal term, it's crucial to provide clear context when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "core circumstance" or "essential context" can offer nuanced variations. Remember to be specific about the aspects being considered fundamental to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

core circumstance

Focuses on the central or most important fact or event.

basic circumstances

Emphasizes the simplicity and essential nature of the circumstances.

essential context

Highlights the necessary background information to understand a situation.

underlying reality

Points to the truth that exists beneath the surface of a situation.

root cause

Indicates the primary reason why a problem or situation exists.

primary condition

Focuses on the main factor affecting a state of affairs.

key aspect

Highlights a particularly important element of a situation.

central issue

Emphasizes the most important problem or point of discussion.

main concern

Focuses on the chief source of anxiety or interest in a situation.

crucial factor

Highlights a decisive element that influences an outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "fundamental situation" to describe the basic or essential conditions of something. For example, "Understanding the "basic circumstances" is crucial before making any decisions."

What phrases are similar to "fundamental situation"?

Similar phrases include "core circumstance", "essential context", or "underlying reality", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "fundamental situation" formal or informal?

The phrase "fundamental situation" is appropriate for both formal and neutral contexts, such as news reporting or academic writing.

What's the difference between "fundamental situation" and "basic situation"?

While both refer to the state of affairs, "fundamental situation" emphasizes the core or essential elements, whereas "basic situation" simply refers to a general overview without necessarily highlighting the most critical aspects.