in a fundamental way

USAGE SUMMARY

"in a fundamental way" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is essential or basic: "The way she views the world has changed in a fundamental way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Things changed in a fundamental way".

The New York Times

But Mr. Gore's move seemed damaging in a fundamental way.

The New York Times

It will affect us in a fundamental way.

The New York Times - Magazine

Martha changes, but in a fundamental way she really doesn't".

The New York Times

The attacks on civil society are therefore undercutting these countries' development prospects in a fundamental way.

The New York Times

Changing the tax code in a fundamental way won't be easy.

The New York Times

Did the latter George know that he differed from the former in a fundamental way?

The New York Times

"It's changed the tenor of the discussion in a fundamental way," he said.

The New York Times

"If so, it will change our calculations in a fundamental way.

The Guardian

Marantz gives the impression that free speech on the Internet has failed in a fundamental way.

The New Yorker

"My best speeches are when I know what I'm saying is true in a fundamental way.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in a fundamental way", ensure that the context clearly establishes what aspect is fundamentally affected, and how. The phrase is most impactful when followed by specifics.

Common error

Avoid using "in a fundamental way" as a generic intensifier. Ensure that the adjective "fundamental" is warranted by the significance of the impact being described; otherwise, consider a less emphatic phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a fundamental way" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the manner or extent of a change or effect. Ludwig AI examples show how it emphasizes the depth and significance of the alteration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in a fundamental way" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize the significance and depth of a change or impact. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts. While suitable for neutral to formal registers, it is particularly effective in analytical and descriptive writing where highlighting core transformations is key. Remember to be specific about what is being affected and avoid using it as a generic intensifier.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a profound way

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes the depth and impact of the change.

at a foundational level

Changes the phrasing to emphasize the base or foundation being affected.

at its core

Focuses on the essential or most important aspect that is being impacted.

at a very deep level

Rephrases to highlight the depth to which change affects something.

in essence

Reframes the statement to highlight the underlying nature of the change.

in a basic sense

Emphasizes the rudimentary or elemental aspect of the change.

from the ground up

Indicates a complete and thorough change, starting at the very beginning.

in a substantial manner

Rephrases to stress that a notable degree of change occurred.

in a deep-seated manner

Highlights the deeply ingrained or rooted nature of the change.

to a significant extent

Indicates the importance and consequential nature of the change.

FAQs

How can I use "in a fundamental way" in a sentence?

Use "in a fundamental way" to describe how something has changed or been affected at its core. For example, "The discovery changed our understanding of the universe "in a fundamental way"".

What are some alternatives to saying "in a fundamental way"?

You can use alternatives such as "at its core", "profoundly", or "at a foundational level" depending on the specific context. See more options "at a foundational level".

Is it better to say "in a fundamental way" or "fundamentally"?

Both are correct, but "fundamentally" is a single-word adverb, while "in a fundamental way" is a phrase. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and sentence structure. Consider "This fundamentally alters the process" versus "This changes the process "in a fundamental way"".

What does it mean when something is described as changing "in a fundamental way"?

It means that something has changed at its most basic or essential level, affecting its core nature or function. This suggests a significant and far-reaching alteration.