is foundational to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is foundational to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe something that is essential or fundamental to a concept, idea, or system. Example: "Critical thinking is foundational to the learning process, as it allows individuals to analyze and evaluate information effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This fourth rule is foundational to the other three.

The Guardian

The 2nd Amendment is foundational to this country.

The New York Times

How she turns makes public the private is foundational to our current use of photography.

The Guardian - Arts

His body of work is foundational to the renewed interest in contemporary jazz orchestras.

The New Yorker

In his memo, Barrons said: "Capability that is foundational to all major armed forces has been withered by design.

The Guardian

"Slavery is foundational to the modern world," curator Nancy Berklew says in the exhibit, stressing it is a shared history that "everyone can learn from", white or black.

The Guardian

"Bottom line, we have lost some of the credibility that is foundational to Cisco's success — and we must earn it back".

The New York Times - Tech

However health and education are not in competition with economic development; rather investing in healthy, educated children living in safe communities is foundational to our efforts to develop more productive and competitive economies.

The Guardian - Opinion

"A perfect map of the world," announced Google vice-president Amit Singhal, echoing just about every great mapmaker since Ptolemy, "is foundational to delivering exactly what you want, when you want, and where you want it".

The Guardian - Opinion

"At Cisco, security is foundational to everything we do.

TechCrunch

Professional biologists already understand how evolution is foundational to biological explanation and so do not always make it explicit.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is foundational to", ensure that the connection between the subject and what it supports is clear and logical to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "is foundational to" in situations where simpler language like "is important for" or "is necessary for" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is foundational to" functions as a linking verb phrase connecting a subject with a predicate adjective. It describes a quality of the subject, indicating its fundamental importance or role as a basis for something else. Ludwig AI confirms that "is foundational to" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is foundational to" is a powerful way to express that something is an essential base or underpinning for something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is "very common", particularly in Science and News & Media contexts, indicating its prevalence in formal and informative writing. While it's a valuable phrase for emphasizing fundamental importance, it's important to avoid overuse in simpler contexts where more direct language would suffice. Related phrases like "is crucial to" or "is essential to" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is fundamental to

This alternative is a direct synonym, sharing the same core meaning.

is essential to

This alternative indicates necessity and indispensability.

is indispensable to

This alternative expresses that something is absolutely necessary and cannot be done without.

is integral to

This alternative indicates that something is an essential part of a whole.

is crucial to

This alternative emphasizes the critical importance of something.

is vital to

This alternative highlights the life-sustaining or indispensable nature of something.

is key to

This alternative suggests something is a crucial element for success.

is pivotal to

This alternative suggests that something is a turning point or key factor.

is basic to

This alternative suggests a simpler, more fundamental level of importance.

underlies

This alternative directly expresses how one thing forms the basis of something else.

FAQs

What does "is foundational to" mean?

The phrase "is foundational to" means that something is an essential base or foundation for something else. It highlights its fundamental importance or necessity.

How can I use "is foundational to" in a sentence?

You can use "is foundational to" to indicate that a particular concept, skill, or idea is crucial for the development or understanding of something else. For example, "Critical thinking "is foundational to" effective problem-solving".

What are some alternatives to "is foundational to"?

Some alternatives include "is basic to", "is crucial to", "is essential to", or "underlies". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "is foundational to" over simpler alternatives?

Use "is foundational to" when you want to emphasize the fundamental and underlying nature of something. It's particularly suitable in academic, scientific, or formal contexts where precision and clarity are important.