on a fundamental level

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "on a fundamental level" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is happening or being understood at a basic or deep level. You can use it when describing a fundamental concept, belief, or understanding. Example: "On a fundamental level, honesty is essential for building trust in any relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Games are one of the few commercial mediums that can fail on a fundamental level, be it by utterly incompetent design or technical problems.

Vice

On a fundamental level, it resonated with anticlerical political symbolism, as one conservative reviewer noted while scoffing at the opera's sacrilegious, "Voltairean" tone.

The New York Times - Arts

On a fundamental level, her closest parallel is Chekhov.

The Guardian - Books

On a fundamental level, he accepted responsibility for his actions.

The New Yorker

It's changed who I am on a fundamental level.

The Guardian - Opinion

It feels wrong on a fundamental level," he said.

Independent

On a fundamental level, it raised questions of retribution and human nature.

The New York Times

But, on a fundamental level, bilingualism's real benefits could be far more important.

The New Yorker

On a fundamental level, more productions are needed in venues to satisfy demand.

The Guardian

"On a fundamental level we are committed to the same goals".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Therefore, it is essential to understand the chemistry of these fascinating shape-selective 'micron-scale molecule making factories' on a fundamental level, from the macroscale to the nanoscale.

Chemical Society Reviews

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on a fundamental level" to introduce an explanation of a basic principle or underlying truth. It sets the stage for clarifying complex topics by focusing on their essential elements.

Common error

Avoid using "on a fundamental level" when a simpler phrase like "basically" or "essentially" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a fundamental level" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the depth or basic nature of an action or understanding. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's used to describe when something is happening or being understood at a deep level. Examples from Ludwig highlight its use across different domains, signaling core aspects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

25%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on a fundamental level" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize the basic or essential nature of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media and Science contexts. While the phrase is useful for introducing core concepts, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly complex in simpler contexts. Alternatives such as "at its core" or "in essence" can offer simpler ways to express similar ideas. Overall, understanding its function and appropriate usage helps to enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at its core

Emphasizes the central or most important aspect, reducing the complexity.

in essence

Highlights the basic, underlying nature of something, trimming details.

basically speaking

Simplifies the explanation and highlights the basic aspects, removing complexity.

at a basic level

Focuses on a simplified understanding or explanation, removing higher concepts.

in its simplest form

Highlights simplicity and clarity, changing the focus to ease of understanding.

in principle

Describes a general rule or concept, removing practical implementation details.

essentially speaking

Highlights core elements, but more conversational than "on a fundamental level".

at the heart of the matter

Emphasizes the central issue, changing from conceptual base to problem focus.

down to its bare bones

Focuses on removing all but the essential components, slightly altering tone to be more visual.

when it comes down to it

Focuses on the ultimate result or consideration, rather than a core concept.

FAQs

How can I use "on a fundamental level" in a sentence?

The phrase "on a fundamental level" is generally used to introduce an explanation or understanding of a basic principle, concept, or truth. For example, "On a fundamental level, all matter is composed of atoms."

What phrases are similar to "on a fundamental level"?

You can use alternatives like "at its core", "in essence", or "at a basic level" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "on a fundamental level" in formal writing?

Yes, "on a fundamental level" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing essential or foundational aspects of a topic. However, consider your audience and the overall tone to ensure it fits appropriately.

What is the difference between "on a fundamental level" and "in theory"?

"On a fundamental level" refers to the basic or underlying nature of something, while "in theory" refers to what is supposed to happen or be true, often without practical application or evidence. They address different aspects of a subject.