is the groundwork for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is the groundwork for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something serves as a foundation or basis for another idea, project, or concept. Example: "The research conducted in this study is the groundwork for future developments in renewable energy technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In laying out what he says is "the groundwork for the first successful human head transplant", Dr Canavero admits that his polymer gel reattachment method (known as GEMINI) would not be perfect.

Independent

Given the current economic downturn, serious financing will probably have to wait, but this is the groundwork for a program that will recognize that artists continue to be productive as they grow older but need special consideration.

The New York Times

"In today's environment, basically what you want to have is the groundwork for intelligence operations in any country which you deem to be a national security threat," he said.

The New York Times

But the Iranian Students News Agencyy, ISNA, quoted Mr. Araqchi as saying the Iranian side had made several points to address international concerns over what Iran asserts is the groundwork for a peaceful nuclear industry but which the Western powers and Israel believe is a covert weapons program.

The New York Times

This mapping builds on that study and is the groundwork for selecting a smaller subset of tools for in-depth comparative study.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The sessions Mr. Lomax produced in the late '70s were meant to be the groundwork for Mr. Hill's first solo record, his springboard to stardom.

The New York Times

In addition, this study will be the groundwork for the larger scale RCT.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

This is what Obama is laying the groundwork for now.

Huffington Post

But more importantly, the "follow" button is laying the groundwork for Flavors.me's next move: support for content creation.

TechCrunch

This is what might be called the groundwork for "Twentieth Century".

The New Yorker

He is believed to be laying the groundwork for a trusted ally to succeed him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is the groundwork for" when you want to emphasize that something is a necessary precursor to a more significant development or achievement. It's useful for setting expectations and explaining the rationale behind initial steps.

Common error

Avoid using "is the groundwork for" when the element you're describing is only tangentially related to the future outcome. Ensure it genuinely forms a critical foundation, otherwise, use weaker terms like "contributes to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is the groundwork for" functions as a linking phrase, connecting a current action or situation with its future implications. It asserts that something serves as a preliminary foundation. Ludwig confirms this by providing examples where the phrase introduces the basis for subsequent developments.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is the groundwork for" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, primarily used to establish a connection between present actions and future outcomes by emphasizing its foundational role. Ludwig confirms the correctness of its usage. It's most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. Related phrases include "lays the foundation for" and "provides the basis for". When employing this phrase, ensure that the element it describes is genuinely essential to the future development to avoid overstating its significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lays the foundation for

Focuses on the act of establishing a base or beginning.

provides the basis for

Emphasizes the provision of a fundamental element.

forms the basis for

Highlights the act of creating a base or support.

establishes the basis for

Combines the action of establishing with the concept of a base.

paves the way for

Implies creating a clear path for future progress.

sets the stage for

Conveys the idea of preparing a scene or situation.

prepares the ground for

Directly relates to preparing the environment for something.

creates a platform for

Suggests building a structure for support and advancement.

underpins the development of

Stresses the supporting role in the development process.

is preliminary to

Indicates a preceding action before a subsequent one.

FAQs

How can I use "is the groundwork for" in a sentence?

Use "is the groundwork for" to show that something provides a basis or foundation for future development. For example, "This research is the groundwork for future innovations in the field."

What are some alternatives to "is the groundwork for"?

You can use alternatives like "lays the foundation for", "provides the basis for", or "paves the way for" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "is the groundwork to" instead of "is the groundwork for"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "groundwork" in this context is "for". "Is the groundwork to" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "is the groundwork for".

What is the difference between "is the groundwork for" and "sets the stage for"?

"Is the groundwork for" emphasizes the foundational aspect, while "sets the stage for" implies preparing for a specific event or performance. The former is about building a base, and the latter is about preparing a scene.