go back to the fundamentals

USAGE SUMMARY

"go back to the fundamentals" is correct and can be used in written English.
You may use this phrase when you need to reevaluate the fundamentals of something or suggest to someone that they do. For example, "If you want to get a better understanding of this subject, I suggest you go back to the fundamentals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

And if you don't have the tools to go back to the fundamentals, you're in trouble".

The New York Times

"If we would just go back to the fundamentals of athletics, it's the development of the body, the heart and the soul and the mind," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It just told me that we've got to make the basic plays and go back to the fundamentals," the freshman point guard Andre Barrett said.

The New York Times - Sports

"When you change cultures and technological eras," Professor al-Hibri said, "you're going to need to go back to the fundamentals.

The New York Times

Back in 1927, just after our second child was born, I committed myself to as much of a fresh start as a human being can have — to try to go back to the fundamentals and see what nature was really up to.

The New Yorker

There's a need I have -- there's a need we all have -- to go back to the roots of the theater, to go back to the fundamentals when people sat around a fire and someone said, 'Once upon a time,' and people leaned forward on that".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"We have to go back to the fundamental questions here, which is what is this immigration debate about?" Cruddas said.

The Guardian

"We're going to go back to the fundamental language of astronomy and astrophysics and remind people that they are more in touch with it than they realize," said Bill Brown, director of the Eli Whitney.

The New York Times

I go back to the fundamental question again: If you automate a personal, in-store experience, then why bother going to the store at all?

Forbes

Clark: Let's go back to the fundamental definition of leadership: It's the ability to influence others to create and achieve meaningful goals.

Forbes

"We always go back to the fundamental question -- 'do we care?'.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When teaching a new skill, consistently "go back to the fundamentals" to reinforce basic techniques and prevent the development of bad habits.

Common error

Avoid using "go back to the fundamentals" when a situation requires advanced knowledge or innovative solutions. This phrase is most effective when basic understanding or skills need reinforcement, not when pioneering new approaches.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go back to the fundamentals" primarily functions as a directive, urging a return to basic principles or essential skills. Ludwig confirms the expression's correctness, with numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "go back to the fundamentals" is a directive phrase used to advocate for revisiting basic principles or essential skills to enhance understanding or problem-solving. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, including news, sports, and business. While maintaining a neutral register suitable for various professional settings, it emphasizes foundational knowledge. When facing complex issues, this phrase serves as a reminder to strengthen core understanding before tackling intricate details. Considering its appropriateness in situations requiring a reinforcement of basics, avoid using "go back to the fundamentals" when advanced or innovative solutions are needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revisit the basics

This alternative emphasizes reviewing basic concepts.

return to core principles

This highlights a return to fundamental beliefs or values.

revert to foundational elements

Focuses on returning to the essential building blocks of a subject or skill.

re-emphasize the essentials

Highlights the act of placing importance back on core elements.

focus on underlying principles

Shifts the focus to concentrating on the basic rules or concepts.

get back to basics

Similar meaning but uses a more informal tone.

retreat to the foundation

This alternative suggests a withdrawal to the underlying base of something.

reconsider the bedrock

This phrase emphasizes rethinking the most fundamental aspects of something.

restore essential practices

Highlights reinstating practices that are fundamental to success or understanding.

review the ABCs

Uses a metaphor to suggest reviewing the most basic elements, particularly for learning.

FAQs

How can I use "go back to the fundamentals" in a sentence?

You can use "go back to the fundamentals" to suggest revisiting basic principles, such as in the sentence, "If you're struggling with advanced calculus, try to "go back to the fundamentals" of algebra and trigonometry".

What is a similar phrase to "go back to the fundamentals"?

A similar phrase to "go back to the fundamentals" is "revisit the basics", which also means to reconsider or relearn the foundational aspects of a subject.

When is it appropriate to use "go back to the fundamentals"?

It's appropriate to use "go back to the fundamentals" when facing difficulties due to a lack of basic understanding or skill. It implies a need to reinforce the foundational aspects before proceeding further.

Is there a difference between "go back to the basics" and "go back to the fundamentals"?

The phrases "go back to the basics" and "go back to the fundamentals" are largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on the specific context and desired tone, with "go back to the fundamentals" possibly sounding slightly more formal.