real foundation of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "real foundation of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the essential basis or underlying principle of a concept, idea, or structure. Example: "The real foundation of a successful business is a strong team and effective communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It is the value of laïcité that reveals the real foundation of the debate.

The New York Times

"These plans are great," he said, "but the real foundation of any church is its parishioners.

The New York Times

These dreams, these impossibilities, are the absolute and real foundation of their nation.

The Guardian

Dakis, Pinault, Cohen, Eli Broad — they're not buying to sell next year, and they're the real foundation of the market.

The New Yorker

Businesses based on jobs and profit, not the gambles of the stock market, are the real foundation of American capitalism.

The New York Times

Nothing — yet — prevents us from pursing the same lines of action and community that are the real foundation of politics.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

QUESTION FROM CMINN: What are the real foundations of Putin's appeal?

The New Yorker

The financial aspects of the American economic fiasco get all the attention, rather than the real foundations of the economy.

The New York Times

But hearing how the energy of the opening movement of the First translates into the more sardonic mechanics of the same movement in the 15th, and how the tragedy that the second movement of the 15th confronts what was already lurking in the 1920s, suggests that the real foundations of his symphonic thinking were laid right at the start of his composing career.

The Guardian - Music

(c) Such theories distract people from recognizing, and working to reinforce, the real foundations of morality: not an imaginary theoretical insight of some sort, but a set of causal mechanisms for inculcating and sustaining the moral sentiments.

SEP

Eventually, this wave will go out, and all who will be left will be companies like InVision and Wistia who truly dug into the ground, with real foundations of creativity and customer-focus.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "real foundation of" when you want to emphasize the authentic and essential basis of something, rather than a superficial or temporary aspect. For instance, "The real foundation of a good relationship is trust."

Common error

Avoid using "real foundation of" in simple sentences where a more direct word like "basis", "base" or "foundation" would suffice. For example, instead of "The real foundation of the house is concrete", consider "The foundation of the house is concrete".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "real foundation of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It identifies and emphasizes the true, essential basis or underlying principle upon which something is based. Ludwig's examples showcase the versatility of the phrase across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "real foundation of" is a versatile and commonly used expression that serves to emphasize the genuine and essential basis of a concept, idea, or structure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. As illustrated by Ludwig's examples, it appears frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, and while it can be used across various registers, it’s best to avoid overuse in simple contexts where more direct alternatives may suffice. Consider using alternatives such as "true basis of" or "genuine groundwork of" for nuanced expression. Ultimately, "real foundation of" is most effective when highlighting the authentic and indispensable nature of what truly matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

true basis of

Replaces "real foundation" with "true basis", emphasizing authenticity and reliability.

genuine groundwork of

Substitutes "real foundation" with "genuine groundwork", focusing on the preparatory steps and authenticity.

actual underpinning of

Replaces "real foundation" with "actual underpinning", stressing the supportive role.

core principle of

Changes "real foundation" to "core principle", emphasizing the fundamental rule or belief.

essential element of

Replaces "real foundation" with "essential element", highlighting a necessary component.

fundamental component of

Similar to "essential element", but with a stronger emphasis on the foundational aspect.

basic building block of

Emphasizes the idea of construction and development, with "basic building block" replacing "real foundation".

true essence of

Focuses on the intrinsic nature of something, replacing "real foundation" with "true essence".

primary source of

Highlights the origin or cause, differing slightly from the concept of a foundation.

key ingredient of

Suggests that the foundation is a component of a larger whole. A slight deviation in meaning from "real foundation".

FAQs

How can I use "real foundation of" in a sentence?

The phrase "real foundation of" is used to emphasize the essential basis or core principle upon which something is built or depends. For example, "Honesty is the "real foundation of" any successful relationship".

What are some alternatives to "real foundation of"?

You can use alternatives like "true basis of", "genuine groundwork of", or "core principle of", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "real foundation"?

While "foundation" often implies something fundamental, using "real foundation" can add emphasis, highlighting the authentic and essential nature of that foundation, distinguishing it from superficial or temporary elements.

How does "real foundation of" compare to "underlying cause of"?

"Real foundation of" emphasizes the essential basis or structure, while "underlying cause of" focuses on the reasons or factors that lead to a particular outcome. They are related but not interchangeable. For example, bad decisions could be "underlying cause of" bankruptcy, while strong ethics could be "real foundation of" success.