key foundations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "key foundations" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to important principles or underlying concepts that support something. For example: - The success of any business venture relies on having strong key foundations such as a clear vision, a solid business plan, and a strong team. - Education and healthcare are key foundations for a thriving society. - The key foundations of democracy include fair elections, freedom of speech, and a system of checks and balances.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

In my experience, great collaboration is one of the key foundations of business and should not be underestimated.

The Guardian

A number of key foundations who are part of the Divest-Invest coalition have taken this approach, including the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Wallace Global Fund.

The Guardian

How will Cuba's ruling party and its dictates fare when two of its key foundations — the hostility of the United States, on which it has blamed so many problems; and the presence of Fidel — are no more?

The New Yorker

This is one of the key foundations of the model as we know it now.

Functional Linguistics

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems are one of the key foundations of smart grids.

Journal of Network and Computer Applications

"During my visit to Washington last week, I put a particular emphasis on some of the key foundations on which the Privacy Shield is built," she told MEPs.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Ezra Pound's flawed "translations" of Chinese poetry, for example, became a key foundation for modernism.

The New Yorker

For all the hype around Colin Kaepernick last year, the key foundation of this team's success under Harbaugh had always been its formidable defense.

The Guardian - Sport

"This map can serve as a key foundation toward building a new infrastructure, a clean energy infrastructure, for New York City," said Tria Case, the director of sustainability for CUNY.

The New York Times - Science

In their letter, the Catholic bishops in Northern Ireland said: "We write to you today out of concern that the marriage equality motion undermines a key foundation of that common good.

The Guardian

But little of the discussion has focused on one of the two key ideas on which Dr Crutzen's argument was built: that geoengineering could solve the problem of pollution-control measures that save people but warm the planet.The other key foundation was desperation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts, use "key foundations" to emphasize the fundamental principles that underpin a theory, argument, or system. For instance, "Strong ethical guidelines are the key foundations of a successful business."

Common error

Be careful not to use "key foundations" when "foundations" alone suffices. The adjective "key" should add emphasis, not merely repeat the idea of fundamentality. For example, instead of saying "The key foundations are essential", consider "The foundations are essential" or "The key aspects are essential".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "key foundations" functions as a noun phrase, where "key" acts as an adjective emphasizing the importance of the "foundations". As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase identifies fundamental or essential elements upon which something is built or based.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "key foundations" is a valid and frequently used phrase that highlights essential or fundamental aspects. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and business. Alternatives like ""fundamental principles"" or ""core tenets"" can be used for variety. Remember to use "key foundations" when you want to emphasize the importance of certain elements, and avoid redundancy by ensuring that the word "key" adds genuine emphasis. It serves as a useful means of emphasizing the core elements of a concept or idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental principles

Emphasizes the basic and essential nature of the principles involved, similar to the core concept of foundations.

core tenets

Highlights the beliefs or doctrines central to a particular system or philosophy, akin to the foundational aspects.

essential elements

Focuses on the indispensable components necessary for completeness, paralleling the idea of building foundations.

basic building blocks

Uses a construction metaphor to describe the fundamental units needed to create something larger, similar to "foundations".

cornerstones

Highlights essential qualities on which something depends. It's a synonym to "foundations".

underlying principles

Indicates the basic rules or laws that support something, much like foundations provide structural support.

primary basis

Focuses on the main reason or justification for something, similar to how foundations provide support.

central components

Identifies the most important parts that make up a whole, akin to the role of foundations in a structure.

critical infrastructure

Highlights the crucial systems and structures necessary for a system to function, comparable to the role of foundations.

groundwork

Refers to the preliminary work that serves as a basis for future development, similar to laying the foundations.

FAQs

How can I use "key foundations" in a sentence?

Use "key foundations" to emphasize the importance of certain elements that support a larger structure or concept. For example, "Trust and transparency are the "key foundations" of any successful relationship".

What are some alternatives to "key foundations"?

You can use alternatives such as "fundamental principles", "core tenets", or "essential elements" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "key foundations" over just "foundations"?

Use "key foundations" when you want to specifically highlight the most important or critical foundations among others. It adds emphasis to the foundational aspects you're discussing, distinguishing them from less significant elements.

Is "key foundations" formal or informal?

The phrase "key foundations" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the overall tone and subject matter of your writing rather than the specific phrase itself. It is valid to use it in Academia, News and Media and Business/Formal contexts.