good foundation

USAGE SUMMARY

'good foundation' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an idiom to refer to the groundwork or groundwork laid for something in order to make progress. For example, "He laid a good foundation for his company, which eventually allowed it to thrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Foundation: Be sure to start with a good foundation.

WikiHow

There's a good foundation for a program.

The New York Times

"It's a good foundation to build on," he said.

The New York Times

SAND is not a good foundation for a house, and it certainly wasn't a good foundation for a housing boom.

The New York Times

We've built a good foundation here to win games with.

The New York Times - Sports

But it is a good foundation, he says.

The New York Times

It's a good foundation, it just needs… more.

The Guardian - Tech

Mutual global interests, it seems to me, are still a good foundation for finding collaborative solutions".

The New York Times

But we're not done yet, we're still progressing and building on a good foundation".

The New York Times - Sports

That sentence struck me as a pretty good foundation for a political philosophy.

The New York Times

The house needs repairs, but he called it a good foundation for a larger family.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "good foundation" to describe abstract concepts, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being built upon this foundation.

Common error

Avoid using "good foundation" when the base is weak or unreliable; instead, opt for terms like "potential foundation" or "developing base" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good foundation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "good" modifies the noun "foundation". It serves to describe something that provides a solid or reliable base for further development or construction, whether literal or abstract, as Ludwig's examples indicate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

20%

News & Media

50%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "good foundation" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that effectively conveys the idea of a reliable starting point. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its versatility is demonstrated through its frequent appearance across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using "good foundation", consider the specific context and ensure that the described base is indeed sturdy and trustworthy. If you want to sound more technical you can try "solid groundwork" or "firm basis" instead. The phrase's broad appeal and adaptability make it a valuable addition to your vocabulary, aiding in clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solid groundwork

Focuses on the preparation and preliminary work involved.

firm basis

Emphasizes the strength and stability of the underlying support.

sound footing

Implies a secure and stable position from which to progress.

strong base

Highlights the robustness and resilience of the starting point.

reliable platform

Suggests a dependable and trustworthy foundation for development.

decent starting point

Focuses on the initial stage and its adequacy for further advancement.

reasonable basis

Emphasizes the rationality and justification of the underlying support.

suitable basis

Highlights the appropriateness of the underlying support.

adequate groundwork

Focuses on the sufficiency of the preliminary work.

serviceable foundation

Implies a useful but potentially basic starting point.

FAQs

How can I use "good foundation" in a sentence?

You can use "good foundation" to describe the basis for a successful project, relationship, or skill. For example, "His early training provided a "good foundation" for his career."

What are some alternatives to "good foundation"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "solid groundwork", "firm basis", or "strong base".

Is it better to say "good foundation" or "strong foundation"?

Both "good foundation" and "strong foundation" are acceptable. "Strong foundation" emphasizes the robustness, while "good foundation" highlights the overall quality and suitability.

Can "good foundation" be used in both literal and figurative contexts?

Yes, "good foundation" can be used both literally, such as describing the base of a building, and figuratively, such as describing the basis of an argument or skill set. For example, "The house has a "good foundation"", or "A strong education provides a "good foundation" for future success".