fundamentally like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fundamentally like" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that two or more things share a basic similarity or essence despite potential differences. Example: "The two theories are fundamentally like each other in their approach to understanding human behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

So I can buy into an industry that I fundamentally like without having to take the balance sheet risk that a lot of the other players have.

Forbes

"The reason we study yeast cells is because they're fundamentally like human cells, only a lot simpler.

The New York Times - Science

We think that he is fundamentally like us and deserving of our compassion as well as our opprobrium.

The Guardian

He said that of course the Mayor is different from Kennedy but fundamentally, like Kennedy, he is willing to put himself on the line for what he feels are the right things to do.

The New Yorker

It makes uncomfortable beach material because it is fundamentally – like most of Roth's work – a tragedy, with Bucky Cantor, the innocent at the centre of the narrative, the victim of a pitiless destiny.

The Guardian - Books

The distinction between phone calls and other wireless apps is becoming increasingly archaic, since, at heart, a digital phone call is fundamentally like any other wireless application.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Elsewhere during the segment, Oliver also poked fun at the DNC, saying it "showed the Democrats to be a coalition of constantly squabbling if fundamentally like-minded Katy Perry fans".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

His spokeswoman said later that he had some doubts about how the policy had been presented, but he fundamentally liked the package.

The Guardian

Thus the physically described micro structure is fundamentally "idea-like" in character.

Huffington Post

Eliminativists such as Patricia and Paul Churchland argue that while folk psychology treats cognition as fundamentally sentence-like, the non-linguistic vector/matrix model of neural network theory or connectionism will prove to be a much more accurate account of how the brain works.

Wikipedia

Darwin's mechanisms of natural variation and natural selection were inferred from observations of macroscopic life, and those two mechanisms are still sufficient to explain the phylogenetic history of such organisms whose evolutionary process is fundamentally tree-like in nature.

Biology Direct

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fundamentally like" when you want to emphasize the core similarity between two things, even if there are superficial differences. It's useful for highlighting essential shared traits.

Common error

Avoid using "fundamentally like" when the comparison is weak or superficial. Make sure the similarity is genuinely deep and meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fundamentally like" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a comparative preposition. It qualifies how similar something is to something else, emphasizing a core or essential likeness. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fundamentally like" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for emphasizing the core similarities between two things. It's commonly found in news, media and scientific contexts, though it maintains a neutral register. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, remember to use it when you truly want to highlight essential, underlying likeness. Alternatives such as "essentially similar to" or "intrinsically alike" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Therefore, be mindful that your comparison is supported and meaningful, avoiding overstatements that could weaken your argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essentially similar to

Emphasizes core similarities, downplaying superficial differences.

intrinsically alike

Highlights inherent likeness, suggesting an inborn similarity.

at its core, similar to

Focuses on the central, most important aspect of the similarity.

basically the same as

Indicates a simple, uncomplicated similarity.

fundamentally the same as

Emphasizes foundational sameness, even with surface variations.

akin to

Suggests a resemblance or affinity.

analogous to

Highlights a parallel or correspondence in function or relationship.

comparable to

Indicates a similarity that allows for comparison.

in essence, the same as

Focuses on the underlying nature being identical, despite different forms.

at heart, similar to

Highlights the essential, emotional or inherent resemblance.

FAQs

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

You can use "fundamentally like" to express that two or more things share a basic similarity or essence despite potential differences. For example, "The two theories are fundamentally like each other in their approach to understanding human behavior".

What are some alternatives to "fundamentally like"?

You can use alternatives such as "essentially similar to", "intrinsically alike", or "basically the same as" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "fundamentally alike" instead of "fundamentally like"?

While "fundamentally alike" is grammatically correct, "fundamentally like" is used to compare two different things based on essential qualities, while "fundamentally alike" would describe something by itself. For example, you can say "Yeast cells are fundamentally like human cells", while you would say "These cells are fundamentally alike".

In what context is "fundamentally like" most appropriate?

"Fundamentally like" is most appropriate when discussing the core or essential nature of something, especially when comparing it to something else. It emphasizes the underlying similarities, even if there are surface-level differences.