fundamentally define

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fundamentally define" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the essential characteristics or core principles that shape a concept or idea. Example: "The theory aims to fundamentally define the relationship between human behavior and environmental factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In the Laokoon Lessing attempted to fundamentally define the separate functions of painting and of poetry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While this influence provides many opportunities for ecologists, it also necessitates a change in how we manage and share data, and perhaps more fundamentally, define concepts in ecology.

Ecological Complexity

To fundamentally define the cyclic behavior of low yield point steel (LYP) and obtain representative material constitutive parameters for structural analysis, experimental studies of LYP100 and LYP160 steels were conducted under a range of loading scenarios.

Construction and Building Materials

This vote is an "Iraq War" moment that will fundamentally define Members of Congress for the rest of their careers.

Huffington Post

Anti-helmet advocates fundamentally define the problem as an issue of freedom of choice and, therefore, argue that such freedoms should be afforded protections under the law.

BMC Public Health

Taken together these studies illustrate that bodily experience cannot be separated from elements such as cultural knowledge, social relations and social positioning, hence interpretative skills both apply meaning to sensations and fundamentally define how sensations are experienced [ 24, 25].

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Sexual harassment is a serious societal issue, with extensive economic and psychological consequences, yet it is also an ill-defined construct fundamentally defined in terms of subjective perception.

Personality and Individual Differences

On the one hand music has been completely co-opted by it, on the other hand, youth's aspirations and even personality are fundamentally defined by consumerism.

The Guardian - Film

Despite their mainstream success and festival-headliner status, their quixotic, dysfunctional career was fundamentally defined by kamikaze contrarianism and a wicked, sometimes baffling sense of humour.

The Guardian - Music

Duke started his stage career as an actor, and was attracted to dance precisely because it seemed to him an art form "of the present moment", each work of choreography fundamentally defined by the dancers on which it was been made.

The Guardian

The DCW axis is fundamentally defined by the ratios of more-mobile to less-mobile elements during weathering, and hence many classical indices can be applied.

Applied Geochemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fundamentally define", ensure you are referring to the core, underlying characteristics of the subject, not just a superficial aspect.

Common error

Avoid using "fundamentally define" when you are only describing one of many aspects of a concept. This phrase implies a complete or essential definition, so it should be reserved for descriptions that capture the core essence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fundamentally define" functions as a verb phrase used to express the act of establishing the essential nature or core characteristics of something. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies it as a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fundamentally define" is a verb phrase used to express the action of establishing the most basic and essential nature of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not very common, it is primarily used in formal and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you are referring to the core characteristics of the subject, not just a superficial aspect. Related phrases like "essentially define" or "profoundly define" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profoundly define

Replaces "fundamentally" with "profoundly", emphasizing the depth of definition.

essentially define

Substitutes "fundamentally" with "essentially", highlighting the core or intrinsic definition.

primarily define

Replaces "fundamentally" with "primarily", focusing on the main defining aspect.

basically define

Substitutes "fundamentally" with "basically", indicating a simple, foundational definition.

intrinsically define

Replaces "fundamentally" with "intrinsically", emphasizing the inherent nature of the definition.

thoroughly define

Replaces "fundamentally" with "thoroughly", focusing on the completeness of definition.

completely define

Substitutes "fundamentally" with "completely", stressing the total extent of definition.

absolutely define

Replaces "fundamentally" with "absolutely", suggesting an unquestionable definition.

substantially define

Substitutes "fundamentally" with "substantially", highlighting the significant defining aspect.

crucially define

Replaces "fundamentally" with "crucially", indicating that the definition is essential.

FAQs

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

Use "fundamentally define" to describe the essential characteristics or core principles that shape a concept or idea. For example: "The research aims to fundamentally define the relationship between poverty and education".

What are some alternatives to "fundamentally define"?

You can use alternatives like "essentially define", "primarily define", or "profoundly define" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "fundamentally define" or "fundamentally defined"?

The choice between "fundamentally define" and "fundamentally defined" depends on the grammatical structure of your sentence. "Fundamentally define" is a verb phrase, while "fundamentally defined" is a past participle used in passive constructions or as part of a more complex verb phrase.

What does it mean to "fundamentally define" something?

To "fundamentally define" something means to establish its most basic and essential nature. It involves identifying the core elements that make the thing what it is.