fundamentally correct

USAGE SUMMARY

"fundamentally correct" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is basically or fundamentally true, or to describe something that is basically or fundamentally sound from a logical standpoint. For example, "The argument was fundamentally correct but the details were slightly off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

It should be clear to even casual observers today that the "golden age of surveillance" thesis is fundamentally correct.

Stanford University

His fossil descriptions are without equal, and his chronological ordering of them is still considered fundamentally correct.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nonetheless, salt-diffusion theory is fundamentally correct and, therefore, is more appropriate for problems involving salt diffusion in clay membranes.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

Mr. Jacobs of the Education Department said Beach Channel's tally of incoming students was fundamentally correct, if over-the-counter and out-of-zone admissions are counted together.

The New York Times

In its first-quarter report for 2011, Netflix declared that it was "fundamentally correct" to characterize the company as "rerun TV".

The New Yorker

As a result, Mr. Overholt says, the I.M.F. was fundamentally correct in its strategy but initially made tactical mistakes, such as insisting too strongly on budgetary restraint.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

One of the authors of that report, Professor Peter Fleming, said of his use of '73 million to one' in the Sally Clark case: 'one should never use population statistics for an individual - it's fundamentally not correct;' two: Peter Donnelly, professor of statistics at Oxford, said: 'it's just plain wrong', as did, three, Ray Hill, professor of maths at Salford.

The Guardian

If there is echocardiographic evidence of ventricular dyssynchrony but its origin is not electrical dyssynchrony, then it is possible that pacing might be fundamentally unable to correct the ventricular dyssynchrony.

Heart Failure Reviews

This technique allows for a fast and relatively easy determination of these thermal properties, but it has a fundamental flaw for the characterisation of PCMs: it is fundamentally unable to provide correct data for transitions with large heats involved.

Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy

Clinton supporters' defense that she is the only secretary of state to turn over records is one of those technically correct but fundamentally misleading statements.

The Washington Post

"Either that's the correct price fundamentally and the United States is on the verge of a massive depressionary scenario for property prices and real estate," Mr. Gundlach said in a conference call to reporters, "or else these securities are too cheap".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fundamentally correct", ensure that any potential inaccuracies or areas of debate are acknowledged to maintain credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "fundamentally correct" when minor inaccuracies significantly alter the overall interpretation or outcome. Acknowledge the nuances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fundamentally correct" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It indicates that something is essentially or basically accurate, even if it may not be entirely flawless. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is a grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fundamentally correct" is a common adjective phrase used to describe something accurate in its basic principles, even if minor inaccuracies exist. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic discussions. When using this phrase, it is advisable to acknowledge potential nuances to enhance credibility. Alternatives such as "essentially accurate" or "basically right" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamentally sound

Highlights the solid foundation of the statement or argument.

essentially accurate

Focuses on the core accuracy, suggesting minor details might be off.

basically right

Emphasizes the fundamental correctness while allowing for nuances.

correct in principle

Highlights that the underlying concept is correct, though practical application may differ.

valid at its core

Stresses the validity of the central idea, implying robustness.

accurate in essence

Indicates accuracy in the most important aspects, overlooking minor errors.

primarily true

Suggests that the statement is mostly true, though some parts might be inaccurate.

largely correct

Implies that the majority of the statement is correct, with potential exceptions.

substantially valid

Highlights the substantial validity, denoting significant correctness.

at heart, correct

Indicates that the fundamental idea is right, even if superficial aspects are not.

FAQs

How can I use "fundamentally correct" in a sentence?

You can use "fundamentally correct" to describe an idea, theory, or approach that is correct in its basic principles, even if there are some minor issues or details that need to be addressed. For example, "The economic theory is "fundamentally correct", but it needs some adjustments to account for current market conditions."

What are some alternatives to saying "fundamentally correct"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "essentially accurate", "basically right", or "correct in principle". Each alternative conveys a slightly different nuance regarding the degree and nature of correctness.

Is it appropriate to use "fundamentally correct" in formal writing?

Yes, "fundamentally correct" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you need to acknowledge that something is correct in its most important aspects, even if it's not perfect. Its formality is considered neutral, fitting for academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "fundamentally correct" and "perfectly correct"?

"Fundamentally correct" implies that the core idea is right, but there may be some minor errors or details that need improvement. "Perfectly correct" indicates that something is accurate in every detail, without any errors or issues. Therefore, "fundamentally correct" allows for some imperfection, whereas perfectly correct does not.