fundamentally

USAGE SUMMARY

'fundamentally' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is essential or basic, or to refer to a concept or idea that lies at the core of something. For example, "The fundamental principles of democracy guarantee each citizen the right to vote."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the second day of hearings on Tuesday, the judges described the two-year-old law as fundamentally changing the relationship between the individual and the government, giving Congress virtually unlimited power to force people to buy products for their own good.

The Guardian

"As a result of 25 years of investment," said Doris Meissner, an author of the report who is a senior fellow at the institute, "the bulwark is fundamentally in place".

The New York Times

"As AMC Networks has expanded internationally, we have had a great desire to do something we consider fundamentally strategic, which is to take our content and put it on channels we own," said Sapan.

The Guardian

"In addition to the security fixes advocated here we also need to see a fundamentally better way of handling open wireless networks," Lyne added.

The Guardian - Tech

I admire Aaron [Jerome, producer], a musician coming from an electronic background, writing what is fundamentally a pop record without compromising any edge along the way.

The Guardian - Music

I fundamentally believe that when all of this coalesces into a real political force it's not going to start like this – round a table, with a guest list, and a technocratic idea.

The Guardian

This week's protests may be the most chaotic scenes Hong Kong has experienced since a violent, anti-British riot racked the city in 1967 – and many residents are taking it as evidence that the "one country, two systems" framework is fundamentally flawed, a recipe for political gridlock and social unrest.

The Guardian

Shorten contests that the 2014 federal budget did not fail because it was "too exciting, too visionary or too bold", but rather that major policy objectives stalled in the Senate because they were "fundamentally unfair".

The Guardian

Musical continuity – akin to cinematic editing – and its impact on large-scale form have also been fundamentally affected by Stravinsky's innovations.

The Guardian - Music

Are some people "poly at heart" while others are fundamentally monogamous?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Of course there were elements of it that were naive and overly ideological, but fundamentally what they were seeking to achieve had a good heart".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fundamentally" to emphasize a core aspect or principle. For example, "The issue is fundamentally about fairness", to highlight that the core issue is fairness.

Common error

Avoid using "fundamentally" in simple sentences where it adds little value. Instead of saying, "The rules are fundamentally simple", consider saying, "The rules are simple" to make the sentence more concise.

How to use

Learn how to use "fundamentally" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

Fundamentally" functions as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to emphasize the basic or essential nature of something. It highlights that a statement refers to the core aspect. According to Ludwig AI, the word is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "fundamentally" serves to emphasize the core or essential nature of a statement, marking it as a grammatically sound and frequently used term. Analysis of numerous examples, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, reveals its prevalence in news and media, underscoring its function in highlighting critical assessments and basic principles. While "fundamentally" is effective in conveying essential aspects, users should avoid overuse in simple sentences to maintain conciseness. Alternatives such as "essentially" or "basically" can be used depending on the specific context. The usage of "fundamentally" is generally neutral in register, lending itself well to diverse forms of discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essentially

Emphasizes the intrinsic nature of something, similar to "fundamentally" but may focus more on inherent qualities.

basically

Indicates the underlying or primary aspect, slightly less formal than "fundamentally".

at its core

Highlights the central and most important aspect of something.

in essence

Focuses on the most important element or quality, similar in formality to "fundamentally".

intrinsically

Relates to the inherent nature of something, often used in more formal contexts.

inherently

Describes qualities that are naturally part of something, with a slightly different nuance.

primarily

Highlights the main aspect or reason, less emphatic than "fundamentally".

underlyingly

Focuses on the unseen or less obvious basis of something.

at a basic level

Indicates a simplified or elementary perspective, less formal than "fundamentally".

by its nature

Highlights the natural and inherent qualities, emphasizing intrinsic characteristics.

FAQs

How can I use "fundamentally" in a sentence?

Use "fundamentally" to emphasize that something is a central or basic aspect. For example, "The problem is "fundamentally a lack of resources"" indicates that the core issue is the resource shortage.

What can I say instead of "fundamentally"?

You can use alternatives like "essentially", "basically", or "at its core" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "fundamentally" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, it's grammatically correct, especially to emphasize a point or transition. For example, "Fundamentally, the issue boils down to trust".

What's the difference between "fundamentally" and "radically"?

"Fundamentally" emphasizes the core nature or basic aspect of something, while "radically" implies a complete or dramatic change. They are not interchangeable.